Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-11-06

Annie, who had cared for Lillian and
Ernestine when they were small, and
who had always stayed with mamma,
a privileged member Of the household.
Lillian scarcely left Ernestine's side n
moment.
Papa planned softly about going into
Chicago In the morning, to set through
TO a finish the details of the trust
funds for his two girls. Loring kept
his distance. reading and smoking by
the table at the far end Of the long
porch.
Ernestine was almost asleep, relaxed
and comfortable in her body for the
first time in many weeks. and she was
almost inattentiye to papa's voice 60
ing gently on with plans.
Il will deed the Sheridan road
house over TO you, darling. Mamma
and I will be in New York most OF
the time, but when we are In Chicago
we will stay there with you. Lorins
toldlus that you would come back
sooner If withheld your settlement. =
Something clicked in Ernestine's
mind-a small sound. as though lock
had been nnholted. But she went on
to sleep calmly enough, carrying down
with her into unconseiousness her
trouble and her pain. Loring said size
would come back-papa had been so
willing to obey her wish about not
having her money, because Loring said
she would come back the sooner.
She slept deeply, all through the
long evening, all through the night
1t was the first clear flush Of dawn
when she awoke, sat up under the
over her there on the porch swing and
looked out across the water,
She awoke with a conviction. She
could not do this. She could not
leave Will. 1t was impossible BY
what route she had come to this con
cIusion she could not lave told. But
in her sleep her true nature had as
serted Itself and her mind was fixed.
She had done what she had resolved
never to do. She had denied her mar
rage.
"Oh. not mot my true self-not
my heart!" she whispered. Il never
did deny VIII nor my love. I'll 20
back todav-to be his wife for ever
no matter what comes
She felt calm and strong now and
could look with impersona horror
upon her detection. In the clear light
OF morning, filled as she was with the
conviction that she must for ever
choose viii against all tire world, fur
Their understanding came 10 her.
All these months that she had heen
hating VIII and loving him and re-
wiling, him and saying such cruel
things, it had been a deep unknown
desire for her mothers home which
goaded her. Ii had been rebellion
against the continued humiliation Of
poverty and disappointment that their
hopes and plans had not matured this
time into success.
All her mental processes seemed
loosened, open. Now from some canny
instinct she was presented with new
enlightenment. She was--she had
been-worse than the gimme" women.
She had been for months under the
domination Of bitter jealousy OF his
work. She had been wounded because
his activity was secret from her. She
had loathed the mistress that he fol-
lowed--hls own career. So. wanting
him to succeed and to earn money, she
had not wanted him possessed with
the preoccupation OF such processes.
She had seen In his gaze that inward
alteration which Is more obnoxious to
q woman's greedy pride than another
lure can ever be--that love
for what he was doing, that excluded
interest in his own mind.
All her own mind clear at last in
the lmpid humility born of having
failed viii, In intention, If not In con-
elusive act, she could reach place on
which to plant her feet for ever as
far as he and she were concerned.
What have / to do with his work?' |
The answer to this question in the |
clear logic Of her mind released her
Tor ever from the petty jealousies of
he artists wife The answer was |
Nothing" She had nothing to do
with his work at all. 1t was his own,
md she must know it. The old unity
'he had wanted to preserve was pos
'ible only as kind of over-unity, not
,oing into details. 1t was the ground
IN which love placed its feet, the sky
lbove loves head, but not the secret
II the habitations OF the soul.
He could not bear child for her,
hough his love conceived 1t. And was
lot the business OF bringing forth
new and bright. even If 1t
we're but comic strip for the daily
'apers, as secret and silent a process
IS that in which she was now again
They all knew she was to
'ear another child. But no one in
ruded upon her privacy save by the
nost discreet and apologize kindness.
md might not the creative processes
4 artistry be as secret. as involun.
aryf
She Ind been resentfu as petty men