M rr, -o -'m,j; ' - .,( . . t t?"r'. i VI v. vl c f EVENIKG. PUBLIC LEDGER-, PHIDADELPHI A4, SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1920" fi j ffS SECOND WIFE By ERNEST POOLE Author of "The Harbor," "Ilia Family'' Copyright, tiio, by Publto Ledger Co. ion Svteiat Arranoement with the itoOlurt'i Iffy wT M..iniM UtmAlrntml ' THIS 8TAIITS TIIR 8TOIIV r FAhel Knight and Amy hauler are I .tiler, the latter married and living 7ri New York with her husband. She t a thracd woman making the moat " t.er personal accomplishments and Wpptarance to get the most out of Mtrs. Ethel it entirely dtjOferent. sft is beautiful naturally, country hrti and idealistic, utterly unsophis ticated. Their father' death forces Kthti to make hit home with Amy. ' The journey to New York, tht new ( ome. and her sister's elaborate man Itier of living surprise Ethel. JPnew dine in a cafe. Amy gets ptomaine tiolson and succumbs in a few hours. 1 Mttr th funeral Ethel keeps house ior Joe. She went out with him and e talked with her about his work. AND 1IKIIE IT CONTINUES fA S TIMB went on this companionship Xi grew no natural to them both that more than once Ethel felt In herself a eontent which made her a llttlo uneasy. As In hie blunt, kindly way Joe drew eloaer to her now, she had an awkward consciousness of being in her slater's pUce. No, not that exactly. Still, she Alt not care to think of it. She kept eut of Amy's room. It had subtly (hanged and becomo Joe's room to her mind at least though by llttlo things he. said and did she knew that .loo was keeping that Idealized Imago of his wife Kill warm and living In his mind. But was he altogether? At times she would frown to herself a bit. Joo loyal? Yes, of course ho was, she would Indig nantly declare. In a novel Kthel had once rend, the hero who had lost his wife had taken his grief In this same silent way; and the author had laid It down as a law that all quiet widowers are tho kind who never, never marry nialn. This thought had taken root In her mind; and she applied It now to lot. Soon at his suggestion she began to use some of Amy's things. One night when they wero going out. ho helped ner slip Into her sister's soft luxurious able oloak. And as she turned, she de tected a queerly uncertain look In Joe's tyts. But In an Instant It was gone, ind she soon dismissed her uneasiness. For through the weeks that followed he became engrossed In his business and barely rfotlced her at all. i, About this tlmo a letter from homo brought her a sharp disappointment Ethel was not a good correspondent, but during the homesick winter months she had written several times to three of the girls she had known In school. Two hid gone West, but the other one was still In Ohio and was planning to come to New vork, to take a courso of train ing as nurse In ono of the hospitals. In fact It had been alt arranged. And Ethel had not realized how much she had counted on this friend, until now a letter came announcing her engagement to a young doctor In Detroit. She, was rolng there to live, and her letter was full of her happiness. Ethel was very blue that night. But only a few days after this she re ceived another missive that had quite a different effect. It was a long bulky plstle, a ''round robin" from the mem bers of the little 'high school club to which sho had belonged at home. The (Iris had scattered far and wide. One wis teaching music In an Oklahoma lawn: another had rrono to Cleveland nd was a fctenographer In a broker's office there; a third was In Chicago, the wife of a young lawyer; and a fourth hid married ftn engineer wno was worn mt; a mine In Montana, It mado an ab sorbing narrative, and sho read It sev eral times. At first It took her out of herself, far. far out all over the land. How good It was to get news of them all, how nlco nnd gossipy nnd gay. It was nlmoit as though they were here In the room", qho seemed to ho talking wtth each one ; and as they chatted on anil on. the feeling grew In Ethel that each was starting like herself and that some were having no easy time In un. familiar places. She could read between the line's. . , , But the, part that struck her most was the contribution of their former his tory "prof," a llttlo lame woman with snappy black eyes, who had been tb leading spirit In their long discussions. She was an ardent suffragist, and she It was who had brought so many mod ern books and plays and "movements into their .talk. Chained to her Job In the small town, she had followed vora ciously all the news of the seething, changing world outside, of tho yeast at work In the cities. And to tho letters ef some of the girls who seemed bent upon nothing hut social success, the lit tle teacher now replied by an appeal to all of them : . .. "Girls, some of these letters worry me I don't want to preach you will lead your own lives. But I cannot help reminding you of tho things Tve talked about tho splendid things, exciting things that are stirring In this land to day Oh, what a chance for women what openings with narrow doors what flghts to make the doorways wide for the girls who will como after you Keep yourselves strong nnd awake and alive -keep growing remember that Uo is a school and for you t has only Just be. run. Don't Bit at your desks In youi homes. I mean blinking with man it your Bide. Keep yourseWe ' 'ree don't marry for money don t let o r elves get under tho thumb of any hus band, rich or poor, or of social Position er money or clothes or any Buoh Billy trumpery. Oet tho real things! Oh. im preaching I know, as I did In splto of mVself at home. But KMfi-detrien and mmradoH ho strong and dont Kl up the ship!" ,, . ,,, Hthel read It many times. Shou'd hear the voice of the llttlo "prof, "no w earnest, scornful, plendlng. now obstl nalo and angry, again I'-hcartcd. mocking. She recalled how their leader had warned them against tho bribery of men. Most of tho girls had smiled at her then, for they had felt themselves so Blrong and clear in their alms and d"'On?' Ethel Ethel Ethel Knight. How hae the mighty fallen. One week In New York and your eyes were glued to the wlndowB of shops. You got ready to dance and find a man. ' ,., The thought rose in her min '"jr as Amy's Idea." But sho dismissed, it " till a luca, - ,.. --. --- . vjllh .,.,. aha turn 11 bXCK tO tne letters and read them all through oer ?an. Sho rose nnd walked slowlv .up and down with her hands locked belilno her Then she went to her desk, and to the round robin sho added this: "I am in New York and hftyo nothing to say. I have been a fool. I have pent nearly all my money on a lot 01 silly clothes. No, not silly fetching clothe for they were meant to re ten a man, But In getting them I got nothing else. I have had a shocK a terrible one. My sister Amy suddenly died. I am horn now to care for her fhlld. But am I? Nothing of the kind. The. nurse does that nnd I do nothing. I Just sit or walk about and bcowi at hat I am missing. No moro from me, tlrls, until tho round robin the dear JPlemild thrilling round robin cornea wk here on Its next yearly round. I ear I'll have a Job by then! Oood luck nnd God bless us all! Wero 1'oung '" , Quickly sho crammed all tho letters Into a large envelope, licked It, pressed " firmly down, and aaarennuu It '?. Miss Barbara Wells. Bismarck, North Dakota." she stamped It. felt tho tears Jm, kasd tho lottor a fierce good-by. took It out arrd dropped It in tho ma I wx In the hall. Then she came back her own room, and with swift, Jetermlned JerkB took off the black cloth ;rfPPlng of a largo old-fashioned type, frlter, one of the few belongings she Jd brought from Ohio, Sho had pur Jjased It several years ago, and by typ J8 sermons and other occasional docu Jwnts she had earned almost money ;,"ouh for the clothes that had cost so llu' at home ..one sat down and began to pound IS! , e.ys- but soon Bhe stopped and "k her head. Sho had never been an "Pert Self-taught, her work had bcon D?.r,('(l Rnl "low, and the lapse of J!.nl.Jiad thrown her out. "How thlJ Something must be done!" And hV... H,nd,nir wnt on for days and days, "our afur 10llr; nj w,8n ,er Angers, toAil5 Land ,irnls fp!t like "two long ..rJ,nch'" she exclaimed Impatiently lofn ' .r Koodness sake, stop being so Kni.v.. 'ou'i'o a new woinuir, Ethel 'Ivlngn ana you'ro H'nK to earn your jm m.C8' however, stopping to rest h.2 Sr.fu"r vcan "er laor for faults. Hh. '""vouia-rove far out Into life. " wa copyrg from two books tho lltlln "nrnf" UA -i.. i il. ,i. ... nna JxtterB of George Sand"; and "The r oi ousan if, Antnony." And as Ethel pounded on, each book In ls own way revealed exciting vistas to her eyes of life In great cities both here and abroad, life earnest and In spiring, life bright and thrilling, bril liant, frcot "Oh, your future life, my love, will be far from (lull and blinking I" And this mood lasted for two weeks. Then as her hand grew more expert, and sho scanned the papers for Information Of employment bureatin. tlir.ro rftm tu ugly hours when much pounding was required. She went out and, tramped the streets, meeting tho town with angry eyes that struggled for self-confidence. And twice, although sho had dresed herself with a keen and vigilant eyo to ncr uwn uiiruciirencss ana naa gone to the bureau sho had selected, wltfi a sink ing heart sho turned back from the tioor. nut tno second time, after leav ing, with a scowl sho faced about, went back and marched Into tho office. And a little later when sho emerged, her face had a stunned and dazed expression, Sho still could not believe it! For the Woman In charge, after one shnrn look and a number of .questions, had re marked, "Why. yes, I think we can place you. I've one position waiting right now" There had been more questioning, but this had seemed rather perfunctory. The woman had not appeared to care very much that Ethel had only one reference from the old minister back at home; and the brief exhibition of her skill which Ethel gave upon a machine, with her fingers excited, cold and tense, had lasted but a minute or two when the woman had said, "Yes, that will do." Ethel scowled as she tried to re member It all. There had been one flaw. What was It? "Oh, yes, she warned me about men." And here Ethel gave a sharp little laugh, wun a lump of cxcltment In her inroai. -wen, i minK I can handle my self on that point." She recalled with assurance recollections and there had been npt a few of youths at homo who had tried to "get fresh," and had soon been, shown where they got off 1 She was walking very rapidly to ward a subway station, and" soon, she was on her way downtown. u i. h my d'ar;.rm Borry ,0 say that has got you this chance. All right. Face, thank vou verv mtifh t .... mi 4..-. Ji-ep .8tady eyes easy and cool, Jaw firm but not too ugly." 4 ".L"0" ,a .3W minutes later she was shown Into tho private omce of her future employer she almost laughed In his fat round face so absurd In that appeal0 d d a" hor mUo quaIm AIiS's.h0rt?' am' he loves hls meals." hi in. 1.. .i.!: "ow"e" nis questions s blithely, with such art anxloim fn.nM llness. that tho dumpy man who sat at ioSndea vW.ao nlalnly attracted and usUl "u"-. ;n iact. in nis heavy lidded eyes and about his thick lips came "Jk which repelled hep a little. "I aSW "But " j ie, sir sis a week," she was say- iSl.mea.5?.h"e ln a flrm br"" tone Of Y?.'ff- v. 9f..?.ou' I know It's Just a you." my bcst Promise b?l!er.8 tomorJ?w at 9 "nd ve'll see." He ten, xain rii niaAi,ua .. it oiKiiou. veil see, my friend." He nn?0, Ck '? 'lleskvlth an abrupt and businesslike little gesture of di. missal. And thin hinlnut ni. v. ..., wU.nT.7X .As he. ePlalned her Zil 'i1elj tne lonr of "Is voice was crisp and dry. Ladles' cloaks were .- - ..uv....v a.,, llo rrijt mrn unraneimers "line,- arrd though his ft "mi y38,?"11 now he was Increasing n. n. ,"U.""B rngor, nungry. al hu i.MP.r.C0 ,n ' Wfl' ho snapped off Ji8,.""?, aul times; again he was a n. .j " ,""BH"ng 'o ner or n s suc cess arrd giving forth shrewd homely SiCrMMtl.,at he had learned long ago S2mS-c,il,d.ln BOme ?alcn village. But J?fST i" 'hose weeks of work did she 2L-2h, ."""SS ?? freshness." He in , . i.,i. ajla . xunM her fr end Rh. ah5rlL.rJash'0"-that was aJI. w,r'"" "". overcame ner awk ".Miicoo. wB DUnCIUal. Inhnrri t- Please him. And he was not slow to mnIVi.ra"mart .:?"&- WW." .he said -It suits" me fine." P n-,ts reat detail1 of"'i ? iVL m2"?l0"-uJ' WS i2&i:rri living U ,Jru':!:af!rQ0 last "he was i, " 1' l" "rr 'ueais. oon she would oVI1 to '.e"V8 th's funny lltfle man as1ectretfaan,Plf0, 0t. a dlffe"nt kl,S I..- retary. for Instance, to some clever Shmh" ,nrollBi or noM uffrag?Ieader! thi a.mS ?jy Puul down her nan?o at ini7 .. "uiuoji in cnarge seemed to ""B0.", ''er with a favorable eve. n i, a 'r?" J0 disliked It so. When ce Informed him of what sho had done he had ADnrnrM ,u. ,.v. .,."" l. -- " iii duo jmu V "Aa,d rttffaS?...1-'L taken back. J'.tliel. no nhftnrl. cit. I don't want to meddlA " ), i. a--Wii-rfifrFS replied. well, go ahead." HU,W xe Plainly It had benn a surprlsa It wouhiWor"1"""" 'Sho n,. "Z"J? mm hinklng. hurt him. "ujiin io irpr iiwnv." h. .J and hart nm,lJ1lad,caus,u hlo feeling wUh thfaPn tdhlnVfor ,u But mingled ment: d ccn a vaBU8 reaent- i,r'Tile minute -ou show you've made Umv tr? nd,' b0 n little Independent. BtrS?' "J"?0 ft.HlaP ln th6 fne. Alt right. Mr. Main Prov der, your tender f'.'nfrs win have to be hurt T Th?rV's imi V?5 't0 matter, I mean to stay here. I H stick by you Just as long as you need me. Only, I propose to be free I" ..ii V. ,,au?n, had grown a little strained. He hnd stayed at the office """! ' nignt very well. let him euik in his masculine way. Only ona rm"K or nis Had annoyed her. Like " wuman in me employment bureau, he had warned Ethel against men. When It comes to looks." ho had endod, "you'ro ono In a thousand. And In this town " ."Oh, Joe, for goodness sake, hush un!" she had cried. A bright spot of color had como In each cheek and her strong ma inuuin nan spi viciously. "You II bo telling me next that I got my posi tion slmplv on my pretty face! No brains bohlnd It. of course, no mind t" And sho had tapped one foot on the floor In a way which mado him look at her In a curious manner, startled and admiring "Oh, no, I won't," ha had told her meekly. "You've got the making of more real mind than any girl I've ever seen." "Thank you." she had snapped at him, but she had liked him neverthe less. So long as one had to live with a man, oven as his sister-in-law, It was well to have him In his place. So her annoyance had died down, and had only risen a little again when one day Joo came to her office. There was soma excuse, of course, hut his real rea son obviously was to have a look at her employer and at the samo tlmo show the man that she had a male protector. Booh I But Joe had smiled at Qreeshclmer and had withdrawn quite reassured, leaving her and her Job ln peace. As Ethel's business life went on, her Belf-confldenco grew apace. And now that sho had proved to herself that she had brains behind her face, she dropped her air of severity and even began to enjoy the glances which she know were cast her way, on the streets and In the office. Even on old Greeshelmer, when he was In one of his genial moods, she would bestow a winning smile. It was good to have both bralna and face. She looked at the city with challenging eyes, a self-supporting woman. And this state of mind might have lasted somo time, had It not happened that ono sunny day toward the end of April dreeshelmer opened a letter with eager trembling fingers, read t swiftly and glared with Joy, his big glistening eyes nearly leaving their sockets. Then ho whirled nround In his chair, and as his eye lit on Ethel, he laughed, and In a hprBh queer voice he cried; "Veil? Now you see? Im rich al reattv I'm veil off I got the Zlmmer man c'out?act-see? I can do vot I like I I cot It! I got It!" Uo capered In tri umphant glee. laughing again and Mil hie her arms. "Veil, vot you say? Vy don't youspeakT By Gott, I raise your salary I" (CONTINUED JMQNDAT) , Awtiii!52 THE GUMPS No Turning Back When Andy Starts OUSTONF HvWA.Yr SrHArCAAHCAVlAte jT PL&ASC- T-Sv COrW&ON ''W$? &HOLW&Tb THAT , 3 v.. PETEYIfs Not Done Well The Young Lady Across the Way We asked the young lady across tho way what she thought of the Japanese consortium with the Chinese and she said of course tho Japanese and Chinese are a great deal alike, but in her opiniou mar riages of people of the same na tionality are much more likely to turn out happily. SOMEBODY'S STtiNOG WHATS "WE DEA? Genu's, TO THE OFFICE OR A FAQCV BALL?! CbMIM'DOWA.T&i BREAKFAST ALUl ri l- r iirht i lc F UUi-t-Gf Ulv irC tnfKW a aucn EuzAteTujrZWi, 1 W iiJSw ' To vwnaw. Tu sn jupaunne.' aau i imuicP ? I i . was ?)mim& muitu ii; Tn Un WA .. o.-ir.,.!Y ligg. "rf '. 3?i.:(,. , i in. v--- -;? r..;"vr.- uv.""Z"s:ij". j . . - - . . fi im jcai- - wi ' ri a . . :' & fivr i "' ".-' xk ii T ,v lit ,mv ic rj iii.' t I iik I l ipih v s i "I3U7 t " .. :..,..... tv r"- - ( "-N'. IVjeI SEE ACLllBUX'Ail'r STROA1& IS i'c If "it, ri IY CAJL ' ' KflP. . ' H ; .lWKyoiNT hsztt ffi Wi.ir 'Mmx'W? Jmh 1d1 3 (vl' "CAP" STUBBSThat Diary's Full of Startling Information ( MONDAY- VOWHER- ( ZXWVI8 II (fL &E! BON'T I TO SCHOOL Cfcne r I tfTctHtt 1' -A TICKD THflT 31WRY HonC, ATE SUPPER 1 ATE -MJPPE& ' kO . Tl I AN HNOW EVW VlMEh WITH TH' VEWTOBETi. f fOS OTJrLLSff "NjP 1 (fU 5J?lNj5?5f C' L;c(,. A, .MaMt. , w . a,..A. iHtOTf- r"-"'" -"" "" ' - ---w. - v- - -- ,-. ., ,. .i-..--.-- Enough 1 i .! , I,,, .I . i i . . j ir i FATJIETIC FIGURES f Tones who wam$ in his lce.p HAD SPEMTTueOAV FOJVTV 'MH.E5 FFtfM mor NOWHERE. YftWG To Fl Hl$ CAR. Extra! Handsome Millionaire Arrives at Last il 11 .n- - j j, 5lSr WM, IOPAY THE 1EM I AMD DltMITTWP riAIRVtffAMTl r , u. .-- -rr... .- . . r-v -S, " "iSfe CLERK COMES. HE'S REEW TfeLL AAE T'O A4APRV rr- wruwi., inia ia . x, . ,. ssSSWrrTi,!,.,. , i s i mt . . ai - - - -- - - v xaik v a w ai ir t m . . w . i n n 3WX.7S LEFT AfofrrUHEAMOWAJim A HAUbSflME . ' MISTER BA&V I lOLD TOO Mtf V tIVV7rt.OO' U. IfSifm i WL&Uhi ' SzJi. ' ci,Iuclws,N,Kfc nrvs? urj, x oi.t i-v ' work prom the i hWI( ,.,,..-. A- . t. v.1 i ..cDa. .',. II IWUllfOAlE! I KNOW M6S .SIX S-1. i fc-?5v JS TJ7 BdTTOAA lfT '"" i-" . JA. '' NW' -(K I . -. , . . - .A.., , jlv1 ....,, ..tu.A.iL'k1, ," ' " "." "" "." Bif Fontaine Fox SCHOOL DAYS iiSLstw -f&Sx, cx voo wwta cut mjui QtM coht mm N( ' 6wwe " Pencil., jmxrffff Cooj-rUht, 1828. by Public Ledger Co. By Sidney Smith ; By C. A. Voight Bu DWIG By Hayward By Edwina iJ'i l4i M Al . m -t"i