The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-09-19
MARGARET WEYMOUTH
JACKSON
WNU Service
Copyright by Bobbs-Merrill Co.
CHAPTER XIV
Will and Ernestine Choose

VIII was mailing up WOODEN DoA.
The shelves and the table were empty.
!, 2zle deep on the floor was litter
Of papers.
"Ernestine!" He stopped, a ham,
mer in hand, to stare at her. y
"What are you doing?" she ex-
claimed, and then, with little cry of
horror she stopped and picked up from
the rubbish on the floor, torn picture.
ooh, WILL how could you tear it
up? 1t was good-it was wonderful.
Why did you destroy it?' With trem-
bling hands she tried to put the ragged
pieces together on the drafting desk
He looked at her astonished, voiceless.
Before her, racked against the wall,
was the sketch Of herself, with Elaine
on her arm.
"pm glad you didn't throw this
away-oh, Will, l like it so! But
what are you doing? Are you NOV
ing?"
"What do you mean, Ernestine?" he
said sharply. did you know about
this office-when have you been here?"
"Of course / knew" she said impa-
tiently, confused to find the need for
explanations, now, at this vital hour.
I've known you had this office, since
last spring. I knew, long before that,
that you were laundering for something
some new work. You remember the
might you made this picture?' She
picked up the sketch of herself. "You
remember? OF course you do. knew
then, that you were working. Lillian
had told me she saw you in this neigh
borhood, and I came here the next
day, and looked at all your work. Oh,
Will, don't look at me so! I wasn't
spying on you! You were so strange,
and I was very unhappy had to
know what you were doing. But
aren't you going to work here any
more?"
He laughed strangely.
"Rent's due tomorrow" he said. 81
decided to let it go. I'm closing this
office, and I'll never open another.
suppose, since you knew I was work
ing here, that you were worried about
the cats-but you needn't have wor-
ried-I'll stay with the job. I've given
up my wild ideas. Well keep the in
come-that,s what counts"
"Why WILL" she said swiftly, "you
don't think there's any conflict be-
tween your desire and mine, do you?
That's what I've been saving for-all
this time. knew that you would want
to quit the cats, and I've saved a great
deal of money-you'll be astonished.
/ had to know-it was right for me to
know. It's made it possible for us to
build a reserve. And why should l
worry about the cats? Do you think
want you to stick to the cats, if
there's something bigger, something
more compelling upon you? Why,
will, Will-all want Is just what you
want" Suddenly she remembered her
errand, with wall. "Oh. Will, Pas.
aan6 wants the money for Loring-a
bribe. Loring's in terrible trouble
He'll have to go to Jail, but, oh,
don't want to give them the money for
him. It's your money, Will-don't
give it away-don't let them take it
He caught her wrist and held it
hard.
"Are you out of your senses?" he
asked sternly. "What do you mean
money? What money have you"
She opened her purse and took her
small savings deposit book from it..
She opened the book, and put it in his
hand. the total across the narrow page
His eyes were wide, incredulous. He
rubbed his hand across his face.
"It's yours, WILL" she said with sud-
den gentleness. II have robbed you
of every cent could get from you,
! and I've lived as cheaply as could,
and I've banked the difference-for
you"
Deep within her she heard warn
ing bell. She remembered that they
had much to tell each other. She laid
her hand upon his arm, and said In the
same low tone:
Look at me, WILL"
He looked at her-his brilliant black
eyes fixed on her brown eyes-he
looked at her deeply. with astonish-
ment. and suddenly Ernestine was
filed with a strange power and wis.,
dom. She passed out of self-conscious-
ness and was controlled and guided
by deep instincts and ancient mother
wisdom. She moved toward VIII, put
her face up to his and kissed his lips.
"Will," she said, smiling up at him,
her lovely face alight with feeling. her
tender mouth curved in smile of
sweetness, "Will, love you. You
forget 1t. You ignore it-you make
love a burden instead of support.
I've seen it in the deeps of your
artists mind-that love betrayed and
,entrapped you. instead of letting you
free. Haven't you thought that?"
His arm trembled little under her
hand.
"Only once" he said, and his face
flushed, "only once-the day after !
had made that picture" He motioned
to the picture she still held in her