Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07

II she were fool. you might have
peen decent about It. | have no In
tentlon whatever Of letting her go
away from here with you. You'll
learn, sir, that there are such things
as annulments. even as divorce. Just
because she has made one foolish mis-
take, Is no reason why should let her
ruin her whole life. You have be-
. haved very badly, but your behavior
ends here and now. Ernestine stays
mere. You may go. and l will deal
with you outside the house."
Ernestine felt that everything was
lost, but Will only laughed. II papa
were new and strange, so was her
young husband. for he seemed to glow.
TO NIL out, to be bigger and stronger.
Don't be silly he said. "Ernes-
tine is OF age. She married me of her
own free will. and II you tried any
such stunts. she would say so. Our
marriage is entirely legal. 1t stands
before everything else. She is now
my wife, and my home Is her home,
and you can't detain her."
Well see," said papa grimly. and
then mamma broke In.
You shouldn't have, ErnestIne.
Your shouldn't have run Off and got
married, without telling mamma. It's
the biggest, the most important thing
In your life-and to take such a step
without your people knowing It l
can't bear to think you'd go off and be
married-and not tell me-"
I'm sorry, mamma" said ErnestIne
In distress, and papa took things up
again. He had made decision.
Go to your room, Ernestine," he
said In voice Of stern command,
and stay there until can talk to
you. II you ladies Will excuse us, we
will settle this among ourselves. Do
you hear meY' he said sharply. turn.
Ing bis furious eyes upon Ernestlne.
She faItered, half turned to 60 In
automatic command, for papa had al
ways ruled his home, without much
effort, but Will put his hand on her
arm.
"Stay here. Ernestine.s he, said In,
a low voice. and she paused, unde-
cided, while mamma and Lillian
seemed to be grouped together on the
other side Of the room.
i can understand your distress,
SIR said Will. Il can see Gust how
you feel about this. not knowing me
at all and not understanding my mo-
tives. But you exceed your authority.
II you should detain Ernestine here
by force, have only to 60 out and
get the nearest policeman and come
back for her. You can't do IT.
There was d moment of increduIous
silence, and papa half turned to Lor.
ing, In appeal. and Loring said In a low
tone, He's right"
Will followed this advantage swiftly.
After all, what have you against
me, except you think may want
Ernestine's money? We have decided
to do without that. I'm not a stran-
ger to you. You've known my father
for thirty years. You know my people,
that they are honorable and decent.
There's no reason at all why shouldn't
make any marriage | choose, even
with Ernestine. I'm working. | can
take care Of her.
Papa raised his clenched fist above
his head, as though he would strike
VIII, and ErnestIne made little moan
and mamma screamed But Loring
put his hand on papa's arm, and drew
him back. And In that moment LII.
liam went TO Ernestine and put hei
arms around her and kissed her.
"Oh, ILL Y Ernestine cried, and
burst into terrible tears "Papa,
papa" she cried, turning from Lillian
10 her father. and holding out her
hands. don't quarrel with us. cant
bear 1t. love WILL l wanted TO
marry him. Let lis go ahead with
our own married life, now, but don't
quarrel with u.s.
Its you who have broken faith |
said papa. mot your mother and /
You've put this stranger before us.
Vou can't have both"
Ernestlne was appalled,.
You mean that can't come homer.
Papa attained a grim smile.
That's what mean,r he said. but
low mamma broke In Historically.
I won't be separated from Ernes.
Inc ! won't permit It." she cried,
nd went to her younger daughter and