Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-05
HIS SECOND WIFE
BY ERNEST POOLE
Author OF "The Harbor," Ills Family"
copyright, 1890. bp Public Ledger Go.

She rose abruptly, and walking the
floor she firmly resolved TO be whole
some" and look on the bright side OF
things. In the next few weeks she
her household. There was plenty te
occupy her mind. There were finishing
touches to glvo TO the rooms; there were
spring clothes to buy for Susette; and
he, baby was ready for short dresses
aud baby carriage There was the
world In itself. There was Martha
grown more friendly now and Emily
and the new waitress. Ammo. and the
telephone girl and the chauffeur and
me clerks IN various shops who had
q circle Of people who greeted Ethel on
her rounds One day as she passed s
laundry shop she spied this sign in the
window: Fine linen respectfully
hoasSi that sbs stfsl Ssr,ef shucssd at III,
like that. On the whole II was rathe:
pleasant, though. and she made tn,
wholesome"
Nov 1t was we'll along in June, tim,
for the children to 60 to the seashore
so she began to hunt for a place, Al
the travellers bureaus she visited sht
round the clerks more than rcady tt
give advice by the hour to this graclou,
young creature so styllshly clad. AnL
sort In Rhode Island.
But what was Joe doing all THU
time? She did not near TO keep prying
out for the life OF her she could no,
neIp throwing out casual Inquiries.
his reply was always. cuisines +:
all Of which were tIresone. How % m,,ns
was he seeing of Fanny Carr ana bar
detestable money affairs? His, manner.
ongrossed as Il had grown, and even
mrltaDle at times, made Ethel feel he
was putting her further and further oui
of that part Of his existence which now
Interested him most the part that Isv
outside his home. Was Il all business.
az OF And when go TO the sea.
,1e Snme;,,ns nei b DE mere hye nights a week T.
BUSINESS At such an hour? Vow
carefully, carefully. Ethel Lanier." hi
IN spite of herself the smiling words of
ySuhg Mrs; urewe recurfed to her mind |.
S1s EtheI.s n 'ne1m Sonbss are mnarrisd naid men"
enned late one night, when at the sound
of his key In the door she got out of he'd
ana came Into the doorway OF her room,
10, zoe wa was ,st standing IN the hall. He did
switched on the light, seemed to see M
nothing In the world but the package
oyercoat.. HIS face was haggard bul bt
intent He turned and went Into his
'es w WIN. tHu any SUSPICION OF
Fanny Carr, or of any other friend OF
Joes, was swept at once from Ethel's
mind. Her rival was his business
Ahd later at the seashore,. where she
nSor nag so M many hours alone, she though
hostility, Her mind went back Into til,
past. How his office had always Alb
sorbed him What a refuge II had beer
N the months that followed Amy,
death: II wasn't the one who first mad,
ness !, And now, as Il had weaned hin
once from his grief for tho woman VIII,
Tad died, 1t was at him again 10 draw
IN away from the woman who was ll>
There had been a time when II wa,
| not SO, when she could keep him late a
| breakfast and make him come hom
| early at night, still fresh enough /,
Sead and talk. discuss things, 20 TO tn
opera opera taSe axe up ms mus mnusc plan a trip, L
start - But now this wretched worI
OF MS had got him worse than ever be
| tore--and she blamed his partner 70
that; She recalled how Nourse had dis
used to say about the mans worship
or business. Yes, with his detestabl
greed for money. only money. NoUrs
was doubtless driving Joe. You're max
ipg MIN just business man. without
thought or wish In his head for any
| ming beautiful. really fine, ambition
things he dreamed Of and told me abou
when he was mine--things that woul,
have have led US both to everything
She set her lips and whispered:
Al right: friend BIZ, then It's yo
And all the rest Of the summer sh
set herself determinedly to breaking u
the partnership.
he had come out for the week-ent
why don't you ever bring your partne
| with you over Sunday?' And at hi
quick look Of surprise, 1T seems to-
SSad. ! think" she added never to hav
y thought you didn't like him." II
SAID. Ethel gave frank little smile.
| dIdnt-but that was year age
And besides. he didn't like me. you see
sut people do change suppose-and a
long as ne means so much to you,
should so like to be friendly"
1t turned out Just as she had expected
Nourse declined the invitation ar
sorry, she said when her husband toI,
her She felt her position strensthene,
blt Al another time she suggeste a.
that Joe's partner be asked TO spend tn
apartment back In town. II was doubt
| less so much cooler at night tina
courses bachelor quarters. And Emil
| Giles could take care OF them botl
But this overture, too, Bill Nourse dc
clined. She could Just imagine him dc
Ing 1t, the surly. ungracious tone Of hi
| voice, the very worst side of the ma
shown UP. Joe often now locke
psptnsr mgtosed when Ethel talked pt h
But toward the end OF the summer
was after Nourse had again refused a
invitation TO come 10 tho seashore,
res queer" said Zoe, "and he ca
ne ugly Being polite Is not In Bill
Inc told him so myself today-an
oh, Joe. I'm sorry" Ethel said
You needn't be. Bill Nourse and
VII SUCK together as long as we 1.-Two
Ethel looked at him sharply, but he al
not notice. Because" he said "wit
srouobe, s ms iasifs' Riti hs MS g %Gueeness and h
man man living lowell, to keep somethin
awe IN me-ln my work. mean-Sths
| ! want later on---as soon as I'yo m
money enough" She stared at him,
lou mean that he--your partner
vas s's s0ttnething more than money!"
was sllp but she was stunned. II
turned and looked at her and asked
q voice rather strained and buskv.
alone?' aoou' none
Why, yes!"
That's funny" But Joe's laugh wa
grim. III Bill had had his way a',t W.
ne ia have had a name as an arcbitet
that would have been known ali oys
tne country--instead of being what
ana gambler In. cheap real estate"
nsr "e anrt Erestpned him further, her maj
ner alert; her eyes with A startie
thoughtful look. But he did not seem
want to talk. "o' see'"
Then why" she asked herself IN
ddass' daes h III M bill is SO against this bushes
ves we.,, ,N%Iep az u day and night? O
as ! get back to town You've GOT
ZONE cone ana see me, and explain yoursei
Iriend Bill She frowned in such
funny" '''e"u' no
The week after Ethels return N tov,
bhe was, sur uIprised one afternonn m,hen