Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-10-30
CHAPTER XII



you came home, he would do 1t for
you"
II wouldn't leave win. I'm still Of
the same mind that money doesn't
solve problems"
But, Ernestine, think how nice It
would be. for you to be home again.
1t isn't as though you were happy. We
can see that you aren't. We can all
see such change In you this summer
And another baby! OF course. RS
your own affair. but Lillian and your
mother would be so delighted. It's
impossible for us to be friends with
VIII. We've tried"
Ernestine smiled scornfuly and
glanced at Loring With such dsdain
that he flushed.
"Never mind" he said, You don't
know how we have tried. You don't
know. VIII doesn't appreciate you at
all. | don't care what you say"
They were lying in the sand on the
beach at Langley lake. Mrs. Pas
tanos gaudy white and green summer
house reared Its red roof hack of them
The water was very shallow at this
point so that the children could run
in and out OF 1t.
"Oh. Ernestine, II you would come
home, we would be so good to YOU"
Loring's voice implored her.
..We?" she asked, turning to look at
him. rs II that you want me back
In the family circle or that you want
to break up Wills homer
II think he is by way of breaking
up his own home,' he said slowly,
weighing his words, moving cautiously
against her loyalty TO Will. i under
stand that he hasn't written to you
since you came down here four weeks
ago. Maybe he wouldn't be sorry to
be free
Ernestine laughed at this, and he
said snlemny:
"At this time such neglect must
seem cruel to you
II wish." she exclaimed inpatiently.
that people were able to ignore my
so-called delicate condition. After
all. Will has his own problems. Let's
not talk about it. Probably he hasn't
written because he has no news to
write about"
Loring was persistent and presently
he took up the matter again from
different point of attack.
Its wonderful what a little money
can do for children. I've noticed
Elaine every time I've been down this
summer She's so happy hereby the
cool water"
Ernestine wondered why she lis
tened to him. Certainly the child had
responded TO the opportunities Of the
lake shore, the sleeping porch, the cool
nights and sunny days. But not even
for Elaine would she 90 back on Will
on her marriage.
If only Will would write to her
Her longing for some word from him
was intolerable. She felt that If she
did not hear from him she would leave
the children behind and 60 to Chicago.
Twice she had made all her arrange
ments for such trip, but both times
pride had held her back. X anything
happened to him. the neighbors would
know. She wrote to Mrs. Pryor once
week or so VIII wanted to be alone.
He wanted the tie between them to be
in Allowance She could not 60 after
him. Not now.
"Oh, Ernestine, my dear little sis
ter" Loring pleaded with her, seeing
her tears, being unable to suppress his
feelings. "Why do you keep yourself
tied to him, when he has brought you
only unhappiness? You have done
everything for him-eyerything. What
have you had from your marriage but
poverty and chld-bearing and distress?
He needs to be wakened-he doesn't
realize what you have meant to him.
She was listening to him now. for
the first time, and her heart trembled
under the dark suggestions Of his
words. n she could hurt WILL as he
had hurt herl
The desire to wound him filled her
with burning fever. At least then he
would not be able TO 20 for weeks
without remembering her. He would
think of her. His attention, his desire
would be hers. For an intolerable
moment she yielded to the pain of this
desire, then rose, wrapped her faded
cotton kimono over her bathing suit
and turned to face Loring. For mo-
ment she was struck with bright
memory. His composure, his self-as-
surance were broken by the upthrust
Of some powerful emotion. She was a
girl again. at her mothers house. run.
ming up the front steps, he stood at
the top in her way. looking at her
eagerly, his face so-alive, disturbing.
They stared at each other. remem-
bering, caught and held together. But
Ernestine thrust this clamoring thought
away from her. This man was Lii.
lian's husband This was Jonathan
Hamiltons son, her fathers son inaw