The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-01
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
HOME AGAIN.
CHAPTER 8.

1 think Dick hurried his business
after that night. He saw 1 was SO
disc, ntented-I took no pains to hide
my feelings-that it made him un-
happy. And altho he loved his moth
er and sister dearly. he loved me more.
In my envy, was constantly trying
to think of some way Dick could make
enough money so we might live as his
sister did. 1 complained good deal.
and yet Dick never seemed to get
really cross with me. His nature was
SO sunny, he was so optimistic, that he
couldn't stay angry or depressed.
How tiny our little apartment
seemed after his sisters spacious
homel At first 1 had been relieved
to get back where wasn't all the time
making comparisons. But this feel
ing soon wore off and l remembered
only the luxury we had enjoyed for
few days. The beautiful rooms, the
fine linen, the delicious food. the SER
wants and motor cars-these all re-
manned to harass and entice me.
I'm sick and tired of living in this
little two-by-feur apartment" 1
stormed one day. Tired of being no.
you must make money-or'-I stopped,
knowing my lips had frightened on the
threat 1 was about to make, feeling
that 1 showed in my face that I had
determined to have things-the money
to get what I wanted.
II can't be forever pinching and
saving. Talk about the joy of living.
1t takes all the joy out of life to live
as we do
1 have often wondered why Dick
did not tell me we lived as we'll as 1
had been accustomed to living-that l
had as much as l ever had at home,
and more. But he never did. Instead
he would say:
Keep up your courage, Nan! III
get an advance soon, dear, and then
we can have more, do more. We are
pretty young yet, you know Wen
have to be just bit patient am
almost sorry we went to Chicago You
have been restless ever since we came
back" That was the way he put it
restless"
1 had tried to fix my clothes. But
instead of improving them, / had al
most ruined them. 1 sewed nicely,
but was no dressmaker, and with Az
ness exquisite creations in mind l
ha ggled my clothes terribly, then wept
bitter tears over the result.
One of the young married couples
with whom we had become acqualnt-
ed had moved while we were away.
They had gone further down town INTO
a new elevator apartment Their rent
was only $12 more. and they had more
light, their rooms were nicely decor
ated, and they were not obliged TO reel
mortified by having their friends walk
up several flights of stairs. Then
there was also a nice misunderstanding
ornate, Dick thought, but to me 1t
seemed impressive.
ia feel quite different about ask
ing people to come to see us If we lived
in a place like that" 1 grumbled.
''I fancy that might be a good rea4
son for staying here Dick said with
a laugh. I'VE entertain quite as much
as we can afford to now"
That's it! We can't afford this or
that! When will you earn enough SO
we CAM"
soon, I hope. sweetheart Now.
let's forget all about people who have
more than we do. and Just be happy.
Come on, we'll go to movie That
Will get your mind off from apart
ments, and everything else"
didn't care about going, but neither
did feel like talking. 1 was terribly
anxious to move into an elevator
apartment. A1tho hadn't thought of
son had moved. 1 was awfully fond of
Clara, she was stylish, good company,
and we had been together a good deal.
Jim was moody at times, but I didn't
mind that, she was SO good natured.
The picture was beautiful one-a
society picture showing beautiful in
teriors, lovely women with marvellous
clothes 1 kept saying to Dick:
Isn't that a lovely room? Do you
suppose we'll ever have a house like
that?" and Il must get a new dress,
Dick. How would you like me in one
like she has on?"
1T looks like ready money, Puss,
and we haven't much of that you
know" Then: Now, forget to envy
them. and just look upon it as a beau
tiful picture
That was Dicks way-then. He
tried to make me see the right side of
things. as he saw them-then. 1t was
entirely my fault that he ever changed.
tTomorrow-Diek puts his foot down
on accounts.)