The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-06-27
CHAPTER VI-Continued

He kissed her again, and they said
goodby. The conversation had washed
away a little Of her resentment and
made her feel better. She had a
strong desire to cling to her own fam
lily, opposed by the resolution she had
taken to harden her heart against
them all. She thought Of mamma and
Lillian and LOring, come in Loring's
coupe, standing quiet and in little
tight knot at the funeral. She had
taken her own stand by Will and Mrs.
Schluss, and Mr.. and Mrs. Pryor.
The day after the funeral when
Ernestine, with one of Mrs. Todd's
aprons pinned over an old silk dress,
was experimenting with a broom, Mr..
Pastano came, and with him a huge
old lady with slow black eyes and a
face so round and kind that Ernes-
tines heart went out to her.
Mr.. Pastano had brought some
ported plants, which seemed fresh and
beautiful after the scent of decay that
had come with the funeral sets.
'These are for Willie's mamma"
Madame Pastano said haltingly. 1--WE
come to make consolation call-to
bring you friendship. AS the plants
grow, so grows the new soul, in
Heaven"
Ernestine yielded to impulse, was
bosom of Madame Pastano and kissed
her smooth cheek. How strange that
all of her naughty resentment was
gone, that she actually liked Ruby
Pastano. with his slow thick voice and
his notified dark eyes.
when Willie's mamma is better,
you will come to visit us?" the old
lady asked, and Ernestine called her
husband Willie for days afterward.
She promised to come.
Will was worried about money, and
Ernestine tried to spend as little as
possible. Mr.. Todd's lodge insurance
had paid for his funeral and left a
small balance, which was soon eaten
up by the heavy expenses Of the
mothers illness. Will asked for a
raise and got five dollars. At length
he was forced to borrow from Mr.
Poole, although Ernestine told him she
could get money from her father.
Money!" he burst out passionately.
II don't want any Briceland money!
We wanted something real from them.
Moneys all they have"
You'll have to increase your earn
ings, WILL"
st takes time. And l intend to do
1t on my own job not in your fathers
office. Your folks must understand
that"
LILLIAN says beggars can't choose"
she said.
"This beggar chooses" he warned
her.
Wills mother began to mend little,
the third or fourth week, although
she was desperately ILL., One day she
asked Ernestine how they were manag-
ing, and Ernestine confessed that they
had had to borrow.
1.-THE Troy street house is in my
ohiu All .. AOuu. 1cll w Ill
the deed and all are in his fathers
box-tell him to have some real estate
office sell it. I'll sign the deed-it
will be more than enough for my i'll
ness"
But, mother, when you are better,
you will need your money"
''Tll not be better. And I'd like to
have the nurse all the time now"
SO the house was sold, and the few
thousand dollars they got for it GER
tainly made remarkable difference
The doctor brought them resident
nurse. Ernestine and Will agreed that
they should spend Mrs. Todd's money
only for the expense of her illness.
On the day that Lillian was married
Mrs. Todd was able to sit up, and Will
consented to go to the wedding. The
church was filled with flowers-the
bridesmaids made rainbow-Ernes
tine had pleaded the excuse of mourn
ing for taking no part in the ceremony
The pews were filled with old ia