Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-19
The Second Honeymoon
BY RUBY NJ AYRES
Author Of "The Woman Hafer" and "The Black Sheer"
By RUBY M. AYRES

nv word II would be rotten II the Great
IJoratio found out tho truth and cut
Jimmy of with shilling, wouldn't tt2
m course, really Il would serve him
Tight, but one can't very we'll tell him
l" She shut the lid Of the case and
Ne to her feet. There, think that's
al. It must be nearly dinner time 81,
But Christine did not move
81 wish you could come with u.s." she
,sid tremblingly. why can't you come
with us? shouldn't mind half SO much
n you were there"
Gladys glanced at her and away again.
"Now you're talking sheer rubbish"
she said lightly. You remind me Of
that absurd play. The Chinese Honey
moon when the bride took her brides
maids with her." She laughed; she took
ChrIstine's hand and dragged her to her
feet. "You might smile a little." she
protested. Don't let Jimmy think you're
afraid of him."
,T am afraid don't want to CO."
Suddenly she began to cry.
Gladys's kind eyes grew anxious; she
stood silent for a moment.
"Tm ever so much happier here"
christIne went on. II hate London ]
hate 1 The RSTrs Ro hotes she d srcTe TSsss off,
Gladys let go of her hand; there was
n pucker of anxiety between her eyes.
what had Kettering said to Christinef
she asked herself in sudden panic Sure
IN he had not broken his word to her.
she dismissed the thought with shrug
" Don't be baby, Chris she said a
trife impatientlv ute up to you this
a. - l., los .
time, anyway. What's the use OF oeing
young and as pretty as you are II you
can't win the man you want?"
Christine dried her eyes. her cheeks
but. / don't want him" she said with
S' more than he wants me"
Gladys stared at ner In speechless
dismay. She felt as II cold hand had
been laid on her heart. She was un-
utterablv thankful when the dinner gong
broke the silence; she turned again 10
Swsll, I want my dinner, that's all I
''s She went downstairs without waiting
for Christine.
Jimmy met her in the hall A; he looked
at her with a sort Of suspicion, she
thought. and she knew she was coloring.
Look here. Jimmy. she said with
here again without you It will be. the
last time you need ask mo for help.
You've got your chance. n vow can't
make her want to stay with you for the
rest of your natural life l wash my
"Til do nv best, =" he floundered
Gladys caught his arm in friendly
fashion. y,
i've no right to tell you, ! suppose"
won't be easy. never thought she'd
change so, but now-well-" She
shrugged her shoulders.
h little flame flashed into Jimmy's
eyes.
hang for me now, is that IT." he asked
roughly.
Gladys did not answer; she turned
her face away.
forcing her to look at him.
Gladys. you don't mean-not-not
There was thrill Of agony in his
voice.
II don't know--I can't be sure"
Gladys answered him agitatedly. .I
what what I'm H afraid or, She moved hur,
riedly away from him as thev heard
Christines footsteps on the landing up
stairs. ....
Il suppose 1t was wrong of me to
have said that" she told herself in a
panic as she went in to dinner. But
after all It serves him right Perhaps
she suffered, poor darling"
Out in the hall Jimmy was standing
At the foot Of the stairs looking UP at
Christine.
ii feel such an awful brute" he
began agitatedly. IT don't deserve that
you should consider me in the least. l.
Ill do my best, Christine"
She seemed to avoid looking at him.
She snnr, moved quickly past pas, him .,. .,,a
rervously. "I'd much rather we did not
talk about It," She went on into the
dining room without him.
Jimmy stood for a moment irrrso,ute !:
he could not believe that 1t was Chris.
tine who had spoken to him like this.
Christine. who so obviously wished to
avoid him.
A sudden fame of jealousy scared his
heart; he clenched his fists. Kettering
love to another mans wife
But he had conquered his agitation
sefore he followed Christine. He did
hls best to be cheerful and amusing dur
seeing the pale Hhost Of a smile on
chrtsttne's sad little face: II was as II
ior moment she allowed him to raise
me veil of establishment that had
taen silen between them and step back into
played at sweethearts.
But the dinner was over all too soon,
and Gladys said It was time to think
ABOUT trains. and she talked and hustled
very cleyerly. giving them no tir,e to feel
awkward or embarrassed. She was
soing to escort them to the station, she
aec,ared, conscious. perhaps, that both
os them would be glad Of her company;
sne @ said that she wished she could
s99He o9 With them all the way. but that.
u course. they did not want her. And
neither OF them dared to contradict her.
, mough secretly Jimmy and Christine
,"%do Wh,n nave given a great deal had she
ou oouuaenly ay changed her mind and insisted
on accompanying them to London.
msne stood at the door of the railway
omMrrlage until the last minute she sent
cu c manner OF absurd messages to the
nreat Horatio she told Christine to be
sure 10 give him her love; she kept I'D
q running fire Of chaff and banter tin
.' e uain started away. and a pompous
susru told her to Stand back there"
,tn na presently the last glimpse Of Chris
,i~a pale little face and Jimmy's wor-
asrkness Of the evening.
,Idnne men gladys turned to walk home
H. ione with feeling OF utter desolation
IN IN. hef heart and an undignihed smart
"s OF tears In her eyes.
hopo TO goodness I've done the right
Nnng IN letting her CO." she thought as
'"To "Io turned out on to the dark road aga n
nope-l beg your pardon !" She had
bumped into a tall man coming toward
was Kettering.
h. Miss Leighton, what in the world"
"e Tpegan In amazement
We been seeing Jimmy off," Gladys
hsa,adned airily. though her heart was
Shrinng uncomfortably. Jimmy and
Snrlstlne; they've gone of on a second
"omneeymoon," she added fiippantly
ha 'lmmy---and Christine! - he echoed
bsdd words In just the tone of voice she
b~u. dreaded and expected to hear, half
nea rsI half angry. She could feel his eyes
faca a'ng ~ down at her. trying to read her