The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-04-25

cause | was kid"
"Why, Will, that's not bit nice OF
you to say" she protested, and he
laughed good-naturedly. Both of them
knew it was true.
SIS your mother just the same? She
had such pleasant voice, but she
was bossy. Kind of queen. / adj
mired her tremendously. She fitted
entirely my juvenile notions Of a
grand lady,"
Ernestine laughed now.
There's nobody like mamma for
managing every one," she admitted.
They came to the Sun offices, and
as they went in through the squirrel
cage, the rhythmic crash Of great
presses came muffied to Ernestine's
ears. Will took her over the whole
place.
upstairs and downstairs, and in my
lady's chamber" he said.
In the syndicate rooms he intro
duced her to half dozen young men
who were much impressed with her
youth and beauty. He showed her the
stool he sat on, the work on his
board.
Mr.. Poole came out and shook hands
with her, and she was conscious OF
disappointment. He was huge, I'M
tidy old man, with fat cheeks that
had fallen little, and shiny bald
head. But his eyes were intelligent,
his voice was very kind. She felt that
she might like him, IL she could only
know him.
Wills vanity seemed excessive. AL
though she knew he was proud to
show her, he was none the less proud
of himself. But it was like the vanity
of capable child, not at all displeas-
ing. Not until they got into the
street again did Ernestine realize that
they had walked all over the big plant
with their fingers interlaced. But she
chung to him now shamelessly. He
was such an old friend. She was filled
with strong reluctance that this vivid
hour should end.
He said goodby at the bus, without
mentioning another meeting. Ernes-
tine could not let it go at that.
"But you must come to see me-"
she said, as the conductor waited i'm
patiently for her to board the bus.
II want to see you again, WILL"
"Sure," he said vaguely. His mind
had already gone back to work.
"Sure. Call me up some day."
Ernestine went quickly along. Her
feet were dancing, and her heart was
dancing, too. She was extraordinarily
happy and full of life. If only such
an encounter could be daily occur
renee!
Some one was standing on their
doorstep, watching her, waiting for
her. She ran up the steps, and Loring
Hamilton was there, big and fair and
handsome, in his dark coat, with the
fur collar.
Hello, Lorrie. Have to rush in.
I'm late. Are you just leaving?"
He looked down at her, the light
from the drawing room window
streaming on to his face, and Ernes-
tine paused, surprised. She was filled
with an inward dismay for she had
never seen him like this. His face,
usually complacent, was keen now,
his blue eyes were brilliant sparks,
his whole countenance quickened and
fired. His voice, when he spoke
again, had a barely perceptible quaver.
"Why were you running, Ernestine?
You're still kid half the time. When
I heard you running, knew it was
you, because my heart began to run.
too
Nonsense" said Ernestine briskly,
but he was persistent.
Il was just going away, disap-
pointed that l hadn't seen you, and
here / have you alone for a moment
at last. I've been wanting to tell you
how beautiful you are, since you're
grown. Where have you been? Your
face is shining. l could see it luminous
in the dark street. Ernestine-don'
be silly. I'm trying to tell you care
for you'll"
She pulled away from him with de-
termination.
You're the silly one" she said i'm
patiently. "And dumb, as WELL" She
passed him quickly, and closed the
door behind her, shutting out his hand
some, DESTROYS face.
In her room, dressing for dinner,
she was furious with him for intrud-
ing on the enchantment of her hour
with Will. Didn't he know that he
had made himself conspicuous, all last
year, with his attentions to Lillian:
He was not her lover. What was the
matter with him?
Lillian came in from her room,
which adjoined Ernestine's, and the
younger sister looked at the elder one
with old but ever-fresh admiration.
"Loring was kidding me-" she told
herself. "Of course he's crazy about
Lillian"
(TO BE CONTINUED)