Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-07-25
CHAPTER VIII-Continued

at would be NICE" said Ernestine
vaguely, feeling hurt because she had
not known about papa, or the stone
merger-feeling out of things, but !
want to be with WILL"
In July they went to Langley lake,
where Lillian was established and
where somehow she appropriated the
role of hostess, although it was not
her house any more than 1t was Ernes-
tines. Win refused to worry about
the Pastanos living on the point, and
Ernestine saw that he lacked her own
snobbish prejudices about the lake
colony. He took Peter and went to
visit the Greeks the first morning he
was there, and stayed all day, romping
with the young Pastanos, teasing
Alexandria, who adored him, and eat
ing Madame Pastano's picked fish.
Ernestine had asked John Poole to
were at the lake. She had come to
love the man as much as Will did,
and had grown into the way of ignor-
ing has bad habits. He was admirably
sober the first Sunday he came down
to them, and Will and Poole spent the
day in the wood path and on the water,
making ridiculous sketches in the sand,
carrying Peter about with them.
But the second Sunday was day
of misfortunes. Ernestine was i'll and
could scarcely rise that morning, and
it seemed to her that viii was impa-
tient and unsympathetic.
Loring telephoned that he had
stripped his gears and put the car in
the garage. He would have to come
on the train. and Ernestine realized
with dismay that John Poole would be
with him. Lillian brought the two
from the station in her car. John
Poole was already fuddled with drink
and deliberately polite, and it was
easily seen that LOring was in a state
of nervous evaporation. His face was
flushed, his brow furrowed.
1--WE got to go right over to Pas
tano's to see man that's coming out
there today" he said to Lillian as
soon as they had had Sunday dinner.
If you are going to see Ruby, I'll
90 with you" said Mr.. Poole II have
d most important matter to discuss
with Mr.. Pastano. Mos important.
He has a nephew-yes, know''-as
VIII laughed-"he has forty-seven
nephews-but this is a most particular
one. This boy is to study modelling.
He is to be the exception-an artist in
a family Of clever criminals. I'm to
see Mrs. Pastano about him. I'll 20
with you"
He rose and took familiar hold on
Loring's arm. e~
! "Will can take you over in the boat,
after WHILE" Loring said, II must
hurry, and Pastano can't talk to both
of US at once"
mo, want to go with you," in
sisted Mr.. Poole.
Loring no longer made the faintest
effort to conceal his disgust.
Your desire is unrequited,n he said
and viii laughed and came around the
table to his friend and boss and took
hold of him.
You're coming with me, you old
war-horse," he said. You're drunk
I'll wager you haven't done a lick OF
work all week. Wen go over to see
Ruby after while. I.oring doesn't want
you, John, so come along with me-"
John Poole turned and detained
Loring who was trying to escape.
You don't want me?"
NO" said Lor:ng nervously. "Tvt
had enough of you--too much.
don't ever want to see you again al
long as live"
Come outside and fight with me
and ] will beat you, and then wen g,
to Pastano's-together."
Loring Yves furious 81 won't figh
with you-you old fool!-WiH, TO
G-d's sake, take him off me. VIII,
did you bring him down here, any
how"
Don't be so hard with him." sal,
VIII, smiling wanly. Hes got a littl
money-he might come in handy som
day. You've changed your mind abou