The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-30
The Woman
He Married
DIV LIME nIIEI DC
THE BEGINNING-ENVY.
CHAPTER 2.
BY JANE PHELPS

Dfck naQ maze q SOOu many dC-
quaihtances in New York, and they
had been most cordial to me. We
gradually became members of a little
coterie of young married people, all
II about the same circumstances
As 7 became acquainted we went to
many gay little parties We played
bridge twice a week for infinitesimal
sums. Sometimes We went to a thea
( ter, sitting in the balcony, or to a
restaurant; but oftener we gave little
chatting dish parties in our homes. I
had a set of which was Unfortunately
Iproud-one of my wedding presents.
Sometimes now as look back down
the years that have passed, I wonder
| if anyone was ever happier than was
in those first few months of my mar
ried life. Or if anyone ever lost their
happiness SO foolishly?
I do not think l am the only Soman
who, loving her husband, has been the
cause of his distress, or who has played
upon his love for her to compel him
| to indulge her desires. 1t is BECAUSE
1 feel sure that am not the only ORC.
that I am barring my life, my emotions,
in the hope that I may help other
women, other girls, to avoid the disas-
ter into which 1 fell.
Dicks people were all in Europe
cago. His father was an invalid. and
he had one sister, married to a very
wealthy and aristocratic man. About
four months after we were married,
and after they had returned from
abroad Dicks firm made it possible
for us to visit them by sending him to
Chicago on business
My expenses will all be paid, Man."
my name was Nancy-''and they
have been very generous. I can save
half enough for your expenses out of
what they allow me. I want my peo-
pie to know you, dear.
His father and mother lived with
the sister so we would visit them all
together.
From the moment I was introduced
to his mother disliked her. She kept
talking of the marriage her daughter
had made, how she had hoped. Dick
would have settled in Chicago where
he could enjoy the best society. ETC.
! OF course, she didn't say so. but she
made me feel that if he had done so
he might also have more advanta-
geous marriage.
Aside from this feeling Mrs. Will
Jams gave me there was another rea-
son I failed to enjoy my visit. His
sister, Agnes Deland, was one OF the
most beautifully dressed women 1 had
ever seen. had been perfectly salts
fled with my clothes when Mary
Bones, the village dress4naker. and I
had made them, but I had gradually
been becoming dissatisfied when left
New York for this visit. Now hated
every single thing I had. They
seemed to make me look awkward,
almost ridiculous. And when heard
Agnes say to her mother:
She's a fright. She must have
taken some of those women's maya
zines, and sent for patterns" I hated
her as well as the clothes. 1t was ex-
actly what 1 had done.
They were kind to me in many ways,
but always patronizing. Instead of
making me humble. as I thought they
meant 1 should be, it made me de-
termined to show them some day that
| could be stylish, too, If / had the
clothes Dick must get them for me.
! When we retired one night. he
asked me what had made me so quiet.
! IT look a frumpi" 1 burst out.
isn't your business nearly attended
Ito? I want to get away where I can't
see your sisters lovely clothes. I am
dying with envy"
Nonsense. When I am as old as
Charles"-Agness husband-"In be
able to get just as nice things for you.
hope"
I'm be old, too. then! Remember,
didn't do as. your sister did. marry
an old man for his money"
mo, dear, you married a poor
young man who loves you dearly"
prove it, then. by making money
SO I can have what I want!''
Dick looked hurt, but I wouldn't
say I was sorry. and we went to bed
with a little GOODNESS between. us-for
the first time.
| (Tomorrow-Home again.