Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-28


tremble with the indignities heaped
upon her. She had been 80 In love.
20 exposed, that It all hurt her In
eredlbly. She looked about her uncer-
tainly. then laughed and answered
Will with composure.
II don't believe I'll have TO depend
on Tommy. Here are Lillian and Lor-
Ing. They'll take me home"
Will swung about In establishment.
and there. indeed. coming through the
room nneasily, were Lillian and her
lover. Ernestine stood, smiling malig.
nantly. as they came forward.
"Ernestine," exclaimed Lillian, when
she was near enough. II wanted to see
you. We went to Mrs. Benefits.
but the maid said you were here. SO
we followed you. Can you come
with usf"
Il was just going" answered Ernes.
tine. But whit and meet our friends
This Is my sister. Miss Brlceland. Mrs.
Wiston, and Mr.. Poole. Lillian, and
Monsieur Mostane, and Mr. Wiston OF
the Sun, and Mr. Underwood. and Mr.
Heyward-and this ia Mr.. Pastano.
who owns this charming place. And
this is Mr.. Hamilton. Mrs. VISION
The men had risen and were FUN
bling over the acknowledgements Of the
introductions. Ernestine seemed the
most composed person present. and no
one could have guessed that her knees
were trembling.
ave wanted to get on. II you and
VIII can come with us. said Lnring.
while Mr.. pastano stood and regarded
the newcomers evenly.
''Tll come with you, but VIII has
an engagement before he returns
home Goodby, Mr.. Poole. Thank
you for the evening"
She gave her hand to her host, and
he put his own hand on her shoulder
to steady himself. Loring WINGED and
scowied at this contact, but Ernestine
was now In complete command OF her
self and smiled steadily. Mr.. Poole's
heavy face, his confusion. did not dis
may her. She bade him an affection
ate good night, then turned to the
others.
Good night, all OF you. I'm sorry
to run away, from my own party, but
somebody must start If you will ex-
cuse me Good night. viii. I'll see
you later"
She gave viii luminous look. He
did not answer but stared ut her ST.
lently, and she turned, sweeping her
wrap about her, carrying herself Ike
a queen Of the realm, and went Off,
Loring's black bulk between the sis
tiers, his face dark with forebodings.
Down the wooden stairs they passed
In complete silence. new sedan
stood at the curb, and Loring In ma
jestic silence opened the car door for
the girls who got 10 the back seat.
He closed the door and got In the
drivers seat and started the engine.
Lillian and Ernestine sat close to-
gether In the warmth and comfort OF
the heated upholstered, glass-enclosed
interior. Ernestine felt for the first
time poignant inconsistencies for COM
fort and convenience
"Why didn't VIII come with us?'
asked Loring from the front seat
Ernestine decided to be frank.
you could see that Mr.. Poole had
$ been drinking too much. couldn't you?
Well, VIII felt that he ought to take
him home and see that he got there
safely. He often does that They're
good friends. you know. And you
mustn't think badly OF Mr.. Poole. He's
old, and, really, he is wonderful
man.
But how about your How would
you have got homer Our coming
along was an accident
Tommy Tucker would have taken
me-" said Ernestine calmly. "Or the
. Visions, or Monsieur Mostane. I'd
have gone home all right"
There was silence OF disapproval
and adjustment. The car rolled
smoothly along the quiet streets.
Then everything's all right7" asked
Lillian diffidently.
"Of course. darling"
I'm SO glad. Will you come and
have lunch with mamma and me to-
morrow and let me tell you all our
plans?"
''Ill see," said Ernestine. Now,
I'll have to 80 home I'm terribly
tired"
"Of course you are. It's late. I'm
tired, too. But, Ernestine, I'm SO
happy that wonder II can be any
happier" Her voice was bright and
clear-Quick and competent Ernes-
tine remembered the tears and pas
sion Of her own engagement
"You will be happy always. You
WILL" she said With intensity.
They left her at the stone steps and
watched until she opened the door
with her latchkey and disappeared into
the dark prison-like house. Then Lor-
ing turned the car about and, with
Lillian at his side. started back north.
Lillian cuddled against him.
"Oh. Lorrie," she said sorrowfully,
"she isn't happy You know she ISM l.
1t wouldn't be so bad for her to be
poor, II only he were good to her. But
Lut A.