New-York tribune., 1901-08-04
TIE SECOND HONEYMOON.
by CHARLES FLETCHER SCOTT.
Copyright. 1901. by Authors syndica,e1

"A
continuous fire of questions at him. and had
been content with monosyIabic replies Now he
returned the fire with the same GREATNESS breY-
ity.
=. Trouble at the sawmills. No else avail
able. Can't take you To Georgia in the summer
piping hot down there Sure you can't stay in
this big house alone. They say at the office. six
months" he paused and smiled. but with a
little wife and vacation waiting for me- / can
~Yo more work than men can in twenty
Here's my scheme. You go up to Monta Vista
as we had planned. and in six weeks. at the out
side I'll join you. And then Wen have a honey
moon that will make Paradise Regained look
like a back number"
John" she said. we are drifting just like Nell
and Bob Three months married: then separa-
ton, and then-well. of course dear YOU
wouldn't desert me-
Nonsense" he said. If that's air. And non
sense it became
ON the first day Of june Mathews his
way TO Georgia and his wife was unpacking her
trunk in a boxy little room in the hotel. Monta
Vista. Katharine hated summer hotels on prin-
clpie; and. being very much married young
woman. she held herself aloof from the other
guests. gorged herself with psychological novels
and executed fancy work. not caring al all that
the place was bursting with curiosity Nor was
she pleased when former school friend accosted
her Familiarity, discussed old acquaintances mar
rled, dead, and successful, and presented her to
the rest Of the guests with a furry of explana-
ti0ns.
Instantly hath-;i inc found herself initiated into
the circle congr"wated on the porch With few
exceptions, the women were married and sepa-
rated from their husbands 10y business but they
All seemed content tacitly agreeing that ac-
cordlng TO the nature Of affairs married happi
made this discovery superior to her trusting
sister. One woman took the trouble. Ia .xulain
10 Katharine
You see, my dear you are one of us now
ana we can speak plainly. There are many
things a bride must learn about husbands
Ideals are comfortable things 10 have. but they
are not men. You viii feel badly when The
awakening comes, but there are compensations"
Katharine discovered, however that the
women were not as Indifferent as they ap-
peared Mrs. Van Eppe she found to be in
tensely interesting-cultured in a way she had
never thought of-but Katharine could not con
done that good lady's avowed admiration for
Mr. Ellsworth.
Ellsworth a bachelor, handsome clever
and exceptionally good company He was not
particularly attentive to Mrs. Van Eppe Kath-
arne thought him very dignfed. for, when he
was introduced TO her he spoke only a fc-
words, but what he said remained in her mind
He WAS the sort of man she had always thought
possible. yet had met, and she wrote a
long letter 10 John, telling him of the bright
literary chap she had met and she wondered
why John not interested enough 10 ask
questions. His replies had been brief and hur-
ried.
Il have been thinking all week Of mething
you said Ellsworth confessed Katharine one
day. You remember-the idea that love re
Cuires nurture and care just as a garden does,
and that must be ever yigilant to keep out
rhe weeds if expect the flowers to grow.
Indeed, i have made your thought the theme
of a story, and have stolen your thunder"
There is copyright on IDEAS Katharine
answered. Il won't ask you for a share of your
dSecl, OF even a return slip a souvenir"
Would you care see the story when il p
pears?" he asked.
AS a partner in your crime am greatly in
terested."
Katharine was honest enough with herself
10 see that she was thinking too much Of Els
worth and she preached herself little sermon
on environment, for she had desire to he
considered a rival of Mrs. Van Eppe. That
evening she was abstracted. II was a new ex-
perience TO be the handspring of anothers
mind. Despite her resolve she pondered over
her contentment; she had never inspired any
one before. Locked up in the depths of her
nature craving TO do, an ambition to