Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-08-01


OF it-playlng bridge and golf and
swimming at the lake.
But where did she go? Who was
with her last? What happenedT
Mrs. Bennett tried to be coherent.
"She left her little boy with a neigh
Dor and went out alone, early in the
afternoon. Evidently she intended to
go to the bank, for VIII found her
handbook lying on the table. We can't
find out whether she was at the bank
or not. No one noticed her, and she
did not withdraw any money. But she
came here about four. 1 was out and
she left, but the maid said she looked
as though she were going to drop then.
That's the last that's been seen Of her.
VIII got home about three, and he be-
gan to worry because Ernestine had
not told him she was going out, and
1t was so hot, and she's not been well.
He decided to come over here to the
bank, and when he found that she
hadn't been there, he went to your
mothers. Ernestine wasn't there.
Then VIII came here, and Mr.. Hamil-
ton met him here. l phoned to Mrs.
Schluss for them, but Ernestine wasn't
at home yet
Wherever she was she would have
come home to Peter, as Will argued,
and l agreed with him. viii was
nearly distracted-the men quarreled
bitterly, and Mr.. Hamilton called up
Ruby Pastano and the papers, and or
gan1zed a search-of course, people in
the city go of and are delayed and
don't get home on time. But, you see,
now It's nearly ten and we haven't
heard anything of her. Mr. Hamilton
has notified the police. They'll find
heH-unless-"
what do you meanT cried Lillian
sharply. Her hands were shaking so
that she could scarcely hold her purse
and gloves.
"Weil-your husband-Mr Hamilton,
he's got the idea that she may have
destroyed herself. But VIII says no
she wouldn't do that"
'Will is right. Ernestine wouldn't
do such thing"
"But pregnant women get wonder
full queer notions in their heads" in
sisted Mrs. Bennett dolefully. "Alr.
Hamilton was nearly wild. He told
Will that he had killed Ernestine-it
seemed hard for Will to hear, but he
brushed it away like nothing" She
paused.
"NIr. Hamilron's got a taxi for US
don't know how much thisll cost him."
THAT doesn't matter" said Lillian
impatiently, and tried to control her
perturbation. She was disturbed
anew at the thought Of Loring violent,
uncontrolled-she had never seen him
so, except on the other occasion of his
quarrel with viii. But this was
worse. He had always been so fond
of Ernestine-as though she were his
own little sister. She felt a great re-
lief to think that he had taken charge
of the search. He would find Ernes-
tine if she were to be found.
But the thought of her sister out in
these hot streets, lost, i'll and alone,
caused her such anguish that she could
scarcely breathe What would mamma
say to her? Mamma loved Ernestine
the better-always had. Mamma had
really left Ernestine to her.
The door was flung open and Loring
stood there. His eyes were glittering
with fear or fever. He looked at her
as if he scarcely knew her.
"Lillian!" he exclaimed.
81 drove" she told him, "all the
way. I've been so worried"
"You had cause to worry" he said
grimly. when we find Ernestine she
is going home with us-to stay. Don't
you agree? She's got to have some
body to take care of her"
"Of course, Loring."
I've news of sort" he said slowly,
and they stared at him. 81 don't know
what It's worth. There was a woman
taken to the County hospital this
afternoon-from this neighborhooG.
She was young woman, and she was
to be confined. 1t might have been
Ernestine. I've sent Will out there,
and l came by to see if you were
hereto his wife-"and to wait here
for a phone call"
The telephone shrilled, and the
sound leaped through them all. Mrs.
Bennett picked up the receiver with
trembling hand, while they all watched
her in straining silence.
'Yes-yes-this is Mrs. Bennett.
Oh, he did. Oh, thank you.
Her sister is here. I'll tell
them"
She turned from the phone.
''It's the hospital Office. viii has
identified Ernestine, and he's there
with her. oh, Mr.. Hamilton-you
found herl'
Get your hat" said Loring. "And
come with us. Never mind your keys,
Lillian. Wen take the taxi"
(TO BE CONTINUED)