The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-08-01
Be88ars Can Choose
MARGARET
WEYMOUTH
JACKSON
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going into PaStanOS. How MS nearC
had burned that night at Loring and
Lillian-at all of them stirring Ernes-
tine against him. Why had he cared?
He didn't care now. He was singular
ly unmoved by the pronouncement that
Loring had forced Visions hand, and
Wiston had seized the first excuse to
dismiss him. He realized with shock
that his resentment against Loring had
always been personal-from the time
he had been a little boy dragging a
brace, and Loring had been big boy.
strong and robust and always teasing
Ernestine and pulling at her hair. 1t
was because Loring had despised him
not because of Ernestine. 1t had
been Loring's strength and hardness
that he had hated, not Loring's atten-
ton to his wife. How strange to
think that his jealousy had been for
himself and not for her. His self
esteem had suffered, not his love.
He became conscious Of Ernestine's
voice, querulous with Peter who pro-
tested against being put to bed. Ernes-
tine ought not take that annoyed,
yexed tone with the boy. He realized
that he had heard her speak so to
Peter frequently, Of late. If Peter
were naughty he should be punished,
not hectored. VIII took the boy from
his mother.
Go and get dressed he said to her
in a tone of command which aston
ished her. you're always scolding
the kid about something. Ever since
Elaine came he's in trouble. You can't
expect a healthy boy to go on tiptoe
all his life because he has sick sis
ter. Go on and dress, and I'll take
care of him. Be quiet, Peter, or I'll
punish you. Not another word"
Hes just like you, and your fam
ily," Will told Ernestine. He is will
full and energetic and intelligent and
strong. He wants his own way. In
stead of dealing with him firmly you
quarrel with him. You should not per-
nit him the equality Of an argument,
and I want you to stop it, ErnestiDe."
Recollections of dozen times when
Will had been high-handed with her
rushed over Ernestine.
$50 you don't allow the Bricelands
equality?" she asked in a cold Idge,
finding it difficult to take correction
from him.
"It's Just as we'll for US to under
stand one thing at time without go
ing into another" answered viii calm
ly. IF I think you are taking the
wrong tone with Peter, I'll say so.
It's my right"
They left the house and walked to
the car line in silence. They sat be-
side each other in the car, they walked
toward Pastano's, together in flesh, re-
mote in spirit. The strong satisfac-
ton of inner activity shone on Wills
face, and it was like a declaration Of
war to Ernestine. Her anger grew
until she could not remember when she
had burned with such resentment.
She was excessively courteous to
every one at the dinner party. John
Poole told her of his plans for Florida.
Of the end Of his agreement with viii.
Ernestine was astonished.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she de-
manded, turning to Will, and he an
swered her:
1--WE didn't have chance to talk"
Ernestine felt that Pastano's was
bad medicine for her. She was I'M
happy again.
At home, later, she spoke to Will
somewhat timidly.
'Are we going to be enemies, VIII?
So many married people are foes
bitter, unforgiving. Lillian and Lor-
ing are in continual conflict. He must
dominate her every move. He's the
one to say where they will go, what
they will eat, whether or not they will
have children. I'm willing to accept
what you said about Peter-only, let's
keep our unity"
"You know l will never love anyone
but you, Ernestine," he said impa-
tiently, "but I've got big job on my
hands now. Don't be neurotic. I've
got to swing this thing, and you mustn't
be emotional IL my mind is on my job
instead of on sentimentalities. Any
how, what are you talking about?
Nothing's changed" 30
She was silent. AS he sat on the
edge of the bed smoking, she finally
closed her eyes against his immobility,
turned her head on her pillow and
tried to sleep, but burning tears slid
underneath the lids.
(TO BE CONTINUED)