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

The First Quarrel
Ernestines anger and resentment
grew like bonfire. The small front
room was cold. but she was unaware
OF Its temperature or Of the frost
gathering thick on The window. Every
thing was fuel to the flame which
burned in her. The longer VIII de-
layed the more her anger grew. His
cavalier treatment OF her. Tommy
could take her home! Mr.. Poole
needed him. More than anything else,
more, she told herself, than the hn-
initiation Of Mr. Pastano's scorn was
this fact, that Mr.. Poole mattered
more than she did,
She gave herself mp to anger as
she had given herself to love-with
abandon. VIII had neglected her. He
had Inundated her. She knew that
she would not have cared for any Of
II so much II she had not been forced
to see II through the Mortified eyes
OF her sister and l.oring. They were
plying her now. She could imagine
Lillian's comments. Loring's sympa.
thy. That was the crux Of the whole
matter. And Mr.. Poole. the vile old
drunkard Was this The sort Of
friendship her marriage was TO bring
her? She had given up everything for
Will-everythIng Was he to sacri-
flee nothing for her? Could he not
abandon this alteration of an obscene
old man who happened to be car
| toonist? II was not necessary for
| these gifted people to foregatler in
such place. She burned and trem-
tempt. That strangers should need to
instruct her rs to her proper place
SO absorbing were her thoughts. so
wrapped was she In the resoundina
| cadences OF her own inner tumult, that
| she did not hear the outer door nor
Wills soft step on the stairs. when at
| last he came.
.Up YETI" he asked In husky
whisper. You should have been in
! he'd two hours ago. It's cold as the
devil outside But what's the matter,
| kitten? Aren't you well?"
Don't speak to me" said Ernestine,
and the fact that, like himself, she
| had 10 lower her voice In considera-
ton for people sleeping on either side
| only added to her rage.
But Ernestine !"
"Don't speak to me she cried
| again, ands this time her voice was
clear. Il never want to go anywhere
with you again"
BE SILENT he commanded In a
! voice low hut stern, and his eyes
leaped back at her with an anger equal
TO her own. Have you lost your
wits? Shouting in this place In the
middle OF the night?"
Ernestne stood, her mouth open q
| little in Amusement at his tone. Hot
words trembled upon her tongue.
| "Undress and get In bed" said VIII.
what do you mean, sitting here, with
out more clothes on. In this Icy room?
Do you wish to harm yourself?"
| She laughed. you are concerned
about my welfare, aren't your" she
tainted him, and for answer he seized
her shoulders and gave her quick
| little shake.
| "Ernestne," he demanded. will you
| do as I say?"
She stood trembling. lighting down
the stupid well OF tears, reaching out
after her departing anger.
| "Will, her voice was as low, as
vital as his own--"Tm In such rage
| that / have got to talk to you. You
can't treat me this way. You can't
leave me to the courtesy Of strangers
You can't take me to such places
where there's drunkenness and I'M
morality. You have got to be bet
ter husband to me than that have
given up everything for you-eyery
thing
when you are In bed, I'll talk to
you" he answered, as he threw of his
coat and went to the wardrobe and
brought her her warm dressing gown
nightgown and fur-lIned moccaslns.
He nndid the fastening OF her dress
and before she could arm herself
against him. he lifted II Off over her
head. The satin slip. the silken un-
| derthings-her body was like cold
marble. In moment, It seemed, she
was in nIghtgown and dressing gown.
In bed. and he was drawing of her
gossamer hose and chatting her feet In
his own cold hands until the mottled
| skin showed red with blood. Then he
| tucked her under the covers and
| brought chair and sat down beside
her. not touching her. Ernestine
| laughed again.