s honeymoon and I
refuse to cheat myself into thinking that within a week I will be
riding through the lanes of the little villages, drinking red wine at
Burget, watching Chas spread cheese over great hunks of bread and
listening to three bands at one time. And then the joy to follow of
Home and America and all that is American. Even the Custom House holds
nothing but joy for me--and then "mine own people!" It has been six
weeks since we have heard from you or longer, nearly two months and how
I miss you and want you. It will be a happy day when Dad meets me at
the wharf and I can see his blue and white tie again and his dear face
under the white hat--where you and Nora will be I cannot tell, but I
will seek you out. We will be happy together--so happy-- It has been
the longest separation we have known and such a lot of things have
happened. It will be such peace to see you and hold you once again.

DICK.

AIX-LES-BAINS.

July 6th, 1900.

DEAR FAMILY:

Cecil and I arrived last night tired and about worn out--we had had a
month on board ship and two days in the cars and when we got out at Aix
and found our rooms ready and Francois waiting, we shouted and cheered.
It was never so beautiful as it looked in the moonlight and we walked
all over it, through the silent streets chortling with glee. They
could not give us our same rooms but we got the suite just above them,
which is just as good. They were so extremely friendly and glad to see
us and had flowers in all the rooms. We have not heard a word about
Chas yet, as our mail has not arrived from Paris, but I will cable in a
minute and hear. We cannot wait any longer for news of him. I got up
at seven this morning so excited that I could not sleep and have been
to the baths, where I was received like the President of the Republic.
In fact everybody seems to have only the kindest recollections of us
and to be glad to have us back.

Such a rest as it is and so clean and bright and good--Only I have
absolutely nothing to wear except a two pound flannel suit I bought at
Lorenzo Marquez until I get some built by a French tailor. I must wear
a bath robe or a bicycle suit until evening. We have not been to the
haunts of evil yet but we are dining there to night and all will be
well. Cecil sends her love to you all-- Goodbye and God bless you.

Richard and his wife returned to America in the early fall of 1900 and,
after a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Clark a