The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-09-05
Beggars Can Choose

VIII exclaimed paSSlOnateIy
"My Cd, Ernestine, what do you
do with the money? / never see you
that you don't have your hand held
out to me-"
Her fear gave her sudden fury.
"Am to account to you for every
penny?" she exclaimed. II did with
out, long enough. Now that you're
earning, are you going to be niggard-
ly with me? Don't you dare ask me
what I do with my money!"
He. made no answer, his face bored
and scornful. She had been thinking
that when he came in she would try
to talk to him, but now the moment
was passed. He undressed and got
into bed, and said in his quick ir-
ritable way:
"Either turn out the light or go
somewhere else. I'm tired"
From working?" she asked, and
then regretted swiftly. That was too
much like that other time-that other
pain.
WIN did not answer, but turned his
back and flung his arm, in the blue
pajama sleeve, up over his eyes.
Ernestine put out the lights except the
small lamp at her side Of the bed,
and sat on the bed for a while, her
feet drawn up and her arms clasped
around her knees, thinking, her mind
turning this way and that, her heart
full Of pain.
"Will?" she said at last gently, but
he did not answer. She went around
and stood beside him, looking down at
him. He was asleep. His eyes and
brow were hidden by the fold Of his
arm, but his wide mouth, his mobile,
sensitive, excited mouth was in repose.
Where had she seen that droop be-
fore? 1t was Elaine's. 1t was the
gentle enduring fold Of her mouth,
when she had been little and sick so
much, and had borne it all with such
remarkable patience. Wills mouth
was like that. Not in cut or form, but
in the line Of it's expression. VIII was
bearing something. He was sick. He
was enduring. Ernestine felt herself
lost in dark wood. Fiercely, passion
ately, she buried in herself her per-
sonal resentment and pain. She must
find way out for all Of them. If she
could see what to do! If something
would show her the way!
Next morning VIII ate his breakfast
and went out, his manner more normal
that it had been of late. He kissed
her cheek, and said to her:
"Was I rough last night, kitten?
You're pale. Sorry. I left the money
in your desk drawer. Use 1t. It's all
for you and the children, anyhow"
"Thanks, WILL" she said Indifferent
ly, for now she did not care about the
money at all. do you know any
thing about Loring and Lillian? We've
not seen them for days. I've been
spring housekeeping, and haven't even
phoned her. I tried to get her just
now, and no one answered"
II think Loring and Pastano are
having some trouble" said Will. II
saw Ruby day or two ago, and he
was black in the face about something
Loring tried to put over on him. He'll
be hard, If he gets turned against
your brother-in-law. I'll call LOring
at his Office today, and see If can
find out what's up. Well, so long.
I'm late"
Ernestine was busy with her family
and household all morning, but with a
sense of troubled foreboding in her
heart. She went to the phone two or
three times, but could not get Lillian's
house nor Loring's office.
"Funny thing Lillian's maid isn't at
home," she thought, but no one an
swered the prolonged ring at the other
house. Ernestine went on about her
work, and at eleven o'clock, Molly
called her to the phone.
Hello" said Ernestine.
1t was a woman's voice, crisp, young
and businesslike.
Mrs. VIII Todd?"
ayes"
"This is the Van Hueten Clark Street
Savings bank calling. Could you come
down here right away?"
'Why-I don't know. Why should I?'
'I'm afraid can't tell you that.
You're to come here for private con-
ference. believe it's important"
"Why, yes" said Ernestine. II can
come But don't understand. There's
not a run on the bank, is there? I've
all my savings" $50. s.
"Oh, no." said the cheerful voice.
Nothing like that, l assure you. Can
you be here about ten minutes of
twelve? The doorman will take you to
the private Office"
"Well," said Ernestine, sit all seems
very mysterious, but I'll come. I'll be
there at ten to twelve"
"Thank you, Mrs. Todd. And,
please, 1 was to ask you to come by