Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-06-20
CHAPTER Iv-Continued

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"Oh, yes, always, in the summer.
My Grandmother Langley had home
in Indiana where my fathers quar-
ries are. Why do you ask?"
"Never mind me. Tell me Of your
self. This house in the country, and
your home on Sheridan road is long
way from here"
Ernestine understood his idea, but
she refused to be drawn into such
complicated conversation.
ut is only a few miles," she replied,
and he gave an impatient exclama-
ton.
ut is a thousand miles and hun
dred years at least" he said. "Tell
me about your mothers house."
Ernestine thought about it.
"Do you know anything about Amer
lean period furniture, Mr.. Pastano?
There is a Duncan Phyfe table, and
pierced brass fire-fender, in the liv-
ing room; four-poster beds upstairs,
with hooked rugs and woven counter
panes-all of the things have come
into the family honestly, through nat
ural possession, and not from auction
rooms. But, Of course, you know"
She smiled at him. Her long hands
lay together in the immaculate perfec-
ton Of her yellow chiffon lap. Her
voice was low, only for his ears, and
though she thought him very strange,
she gave him her gravest, youngest
courtesy.
II know nothing about America, at
all, it seems"
"It's just the house-Pll take you to
see it some day, If you like, although
mamma doesn't like people to consider
1t a museum, as some experts do.
OF course, / don't live there since my
marriage. We live in roomlng house
on Erie street, and it just shows that
furniture and things do not mean so
ouch. for I am happier now than l
&as."
"You have lef this house of your
mother, with pierced brass from your
own ancestors, to live in Erie street,"
She nodded and smiled again, and
her eyes pleaded for his understand
ing.
He shook his head sadly. He heaved
a vast sigh.
"No, do not understand America
Continually am full Of new aston
ishment. Women are somewhat the
same the world around-but American
men are outside my comprehension
"You have been successful here"
she reminded him, but he brushed her
comment aside, pursuing his own
Thought aloud.
mo. 1 do not understood. II my
son is penniless; if he is an artist
starving in a garnet. and the great,
the incredible good fortune come to
him that he shall marry girl Of no.
BILE birth, who has a quiet voice, and
gentle still hands, and brow where
breeding shows its lovely smile
II my son have the grace and the
smile of fortune to marry such girl,
and he bring her to place like
this" He looked about him with
scorn. IF he bring his wife to this
brothel-this sink-I take a knife in
my own hand and stab him through
the heart. You must go away from
here instantly-now There is ac-
tivity in this room that pollutes the
very air. You will strangle in it"
Ernestine's heart stopped beating
in her establishment She felt that
she had been unbearably affronted,
and she rose and stood pale with
anger. Mr.. Pastano rose and stood
before her, and met with approval the
blaze of her eyes. A waiter appeared
instantly with her coat, and he took
it and wrapped it about her with i'm
mense dignity.
$50, go, princess J" he exclaimed, and
bowed a little, and looked at her
again, his own eyes alight. you have
only my good wishes. 1t is unfor-
tunate 1 must confess the title to a
place unfit for you, but this place
was not made for you. The unfit, the
broken, the abnormal must have their
haunts, and they are not for Others
Some day, perhaps, it will be my for
tune that we shall be friends"
Every one was staring at them
Will had risen and stood beside her,