Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-11-27

frightened. Al least, here was some
one familiar.
"Will you shake hands with me?"
He came TO her. big, sober. non-com.
initial and offered her lis hand Ernes-
tine laid her hand in his big thick
palm and noticed, as she did so. how
extraordinarily long his fingers were,
as he took her hand in both of his.
I've been wondering, all the way
over here, who it was that had sent
for me-" she said nervously. II did
not expect to see you'll don't know
what expected. I had dreadful
dream last night. and I've been fright
ened and nervous all day."
"Sit down, won't your the voice,
silky, soft, as always. had In 1t note
OF gentleness that went to Ernestines
heart, in spite Of her formed and set
prejudices against Ruby Pastano.
He drew up for her chair uphol-
stored in red pigskin. and she sat
down upright, ready for flight, on the
edge of 1t. He seated himself before
her on the empty desk.
Il didn't want you to come to my
office, and didn't want to 20 to your
home. but | felt that had to see you.
Ernestine," he said gently, do you
believe that I am Wits friend?"
Ernestine felt TINT the occasion was
momentous She felt herself thrust
back from the ordinary conventional
Judgments Of her class and generation
TO something more fundamental. She
answered naturally, honestly
YES" she said. yes, do
Good he said. "I've not done
many unselfish things in my life, al
though I've done plenty that were dan
cerous-but for my own gain. But
I'm going to do something for you now.
I'm going to give you chance to do
something for somebody else. All last
night ! couldn't sleep, knowing that
the plans that are coming forward to-
day would hurt you. knew that |
must work some change If 1t were Dos
slble. ] wanted to take into account
the existence Of little ErnestIne, know
ing that ! must at least give her her
chance. !"
What do YOU mean, Ruhy?' she
asked, her thoughts turning to win.
How could he be involved with this
man? He had never had any contact
with Pastano except the free contact
Of friendship. He had never had a
favor from him.
NO. he said, reading her thought,
mot Will-but Loring-your sisters
husband, Loring Hamilton. Did you
know that he is rnined?"
Loring-ruined? Put howl" @g
,''fie will tell you, if he is fool enough
TO talk, that have ruined him. | tell
you that he ruined himself. He's in !
debt, he's In trouble, and he's under
the shadow Of an indictment-for brib
ing witnesses, in federal court-seri |
GUS business, Ephestine.
"You mean-the grand jury? But
how did this happen? Tell me,
please"
II cannot tell YOU everything. It's
ong story, and involved, and, besides,
t is unwise and unnecessary. / can
give you few facts. week ago to-
lay your brother-in-law was secure.
lis security was dependent on his
obedience. He had placed himself de-
lberately In position where he had
0 do as he was told, in return for all
hat he had-and wanted. A week
go ne decided to take step that had
een in his mind for some time. |
new that it was there. | was ex-
ecting it. Loring decided that he
could break faith with me, cash in on
rs knowledge and cut the ties. He
'as thirsting for the water that he
arried but could not drink"
Tia paused, and the red of old anger
urned in his cheeks.
Il held notes on him as security
)r business that he transacted through
is Contemporaries / could not af-
ord to have in my name. He thought
would not dare to sell his notes, he
aVing so much information about me.
use going into the ugly details. He
oke up too late to find out that his
were with me-the COM |
any he was dealing with was mine
e sold my property to me. 1t was
no bought from him what he had no s
ght to sell. | stopped payment on
lie checks he held | had his notes,
I'D ne was holding-the bag /
But how could you? That's not !
ght. You couldn't do that"
why not?" asked Pastano. 81 was t
everer than he. What could he do? |
hat could he say? / called in his :
otes. Either he had to pay me, or T
would sell them to his bank for
scount. He put in his stone stock c
und property--and recovered his
,tes. Then he found all his debts !
lie on the same day. He lost seven !,
en- accounts In one afternoon--busi- /,
'ss taken right out of his office. He O
I'D his car and yesterday he mort |,
lged his house. And today-uness :
8 stopped-he' going to be In
cted."
Ernestine got to her feet. /.
But Ruby--how can you do this