The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-07-11

does Loring hate us so?" she asked at
last in a low tone. Especially me?
why does he hate me? He seems to
want to wound me, to strike at me.
He's done it before. But I've never
harmed him. Why does he hate me,
Will?"
"Hate your exclaimed Will, and
looked at her strangely, his dark
bright eyes searching her pale face for
guile. HE doesn't hate you, Ernes-
tine. But forget him-Tm glad some
thing has happened. They've only
made us unhappy, anyhow"
1t was nice to be home again. Ernes-
tine went about her little house with
a feeling Of comfort and joy.
Will was not due at the office until
the end of the week, but on Monday,
as Ernestine was finishing up wash
ing for the baby, he got dressed to go
downtown. AS she kissed him good
by and watched him go, then turned
back to the routine Of home, Ernestine
felt sense Of well-being blot out yes
terday's turmoil. She resolved not to
think about it, nor to worry.
1t seemed to her that Will had bare
ly had time to go to town and come
back again before he stood in the
kitchen doorway, his eyes upon her
with such a look in them that she
gave a little cry and her hand flew
to her throat.
"Will-what's happened"
He put his hat down slowly. He
hung his head, unable to speak to her,
but at last he got it out.
"Ive lost my job
"Will-"
He said no more.
"Tell me-what happened?"
Scraps"
Ernestine sat down weakly in a
chair by the kitchen table and gave
a foolish-sounding laugh.
"Unarm, Eros" she exclaimed and
grinned at him. "Pm glad. You would
never have quit, and now you'll get a
job where they'll appreciate you"
"Ernestine" he said, and choked.
''I'll make good for you'll will !!
You'll see-some day."
-
Mr.. Poole had not been at the Office
when Will was dismissed by Mr.. Wis
ton. 1t was some days before he
learned the details and gave them to
Ernestine. The fellows had all sur
rounded Will with affectionate greet
ing on his arrival in the Office unex-
pectedly. They had at once planned
to eat supper in a crowd. Somebody
produced dice to determine -immedi-
ately who would have to pay. They
squatted on their heels in close ring
between the sloping desks, and Tommy
Tucker cried a fierce schoolboy Zig
gers" at them. Will held the dice, and
he Strengthened up and turned about
boldly rafting the cubes in his big
hand, and faced Mr.. Wiston.
Mr.. Wiston made quick work Of him,
almost, it seemed to Will, or so he
said, as though he were glad of the
chance. Within ten minutes after his
arrival, Will walked out of the Sun
offices, his possessions, done up in a
paper package, under his arm, while
half a dozen indignant but futile
youngsters mourned after him.
But John Poole would not have it.
"You fire my help and you fire me-"
he told Wiston, and he left bag and
baggage.
Nobody had thought of this. Mr..
Wiston demonstrated with him, but
nothing would satisfy John Poole ex-
cept Wills reinstatement, and that
Wiston would not concede.
So Will had added to his own ankle
ties a sense of responsibility about
John Poole, of concern over Ernes.
tines break with that part of her
family which was in or near Chicago
Mr.. Poole let it be known in news.
paper circles that he and his assistant
were available, but to his astonish
ment he had no offers. He was old, he
had been identified with the Sun fol-
many years. The Suns rivals were
busy developing their own artists anG
establishing them. 1t was only a year
or two longer, it was said, for Johr
Poole, and anyhow he would probably
be back at the Sun within month.
(To BE CONTINUED)