The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
MRS. srowELI-NAN's GOOD
Chapter XIV.

asked myself over and over as I put
the dinner on the table, and tried to
keep my attention on what Dick was
Saying, but without success. She had
said 1 must let her help me, that 1
should have pretty things. and that
she would motor over in the morning.
! Mingled with the feeling that per-
haps in some way she was to be my
good angel. was to get me out of my
trouble, there was also a feeling of
EN- barrassm ent-almost shame. What
must she think of me? And would
she blame Dick? I mustn't let her do
that-if could avoid it. because aside
from not having money enough to do
las wished. Dick was awfully good to
me.
| I was feverishIy anxious to get Dick
started off in the morning. Not that
L expected Mrs. Stowell so early, but
I wanted to have the work all done
before she came-if she really did
come, which I hardly believed, much
as wanted to. Then, too, had been
afraid for some time that tradesmen
would come early, purposely to catch
Dick, and ask for payment of thef'
bills
I put the flat in order. dressed Jun
Tor, than myself. I hated to have her
sat down to wait, too nervous to at
tempt sewing. altho 1 seldom was idle.
About IL o'clock I heard the honk-
honk of a motor. 1t was she. My
heart beat fast and my limbs trembled
as I hurried to push the bottom that
| opened the street door. One of the
! things Of which I had become ashamed
that little click, click, that told of
the cheapness of my home.
che blame Dick? I mustn't let her do
Good morning. my deari" she said
brightly, from the second landing, as
she stopped to rest a moment. I had
gone out into the hall after opening
the door for her, and stood waiting,
Junior in my arms. Then. ''How,ssst}s
baby?" 8s
Hes wonderfully we'll" I said as
I placed a chair for her. and noted
hand over her heart as If the climb
ing had been too much for her. "It
was so good of you to come" In spite
of my determination not to again give
way before her, tears rushed TO my
eyes.
There! Don't feel badly any long
er. You must let me be your banker.
Get some paper and pencil and see
just where you stand"
"Oh, couldn't think of doing such
a thing!" I sobbed. 81 couldn't repay
tyou for ever and ever so long Per-
lhaps never. Then what would your
husband think?"
HE won't think anything because
he will know nothing about it. I have
la little money of my own
I once more objected, yet I also
hoped.
You must let me, my dear. 1 can
afford 1t, and no one but we two will
ever know. I have my own bank ac-
count. Mr.. Stoweli never questions
me, or looks at it. Now run and get
y
I gathered the bills together from
J their various hiding places. and with
hot cheeks and trembling hands
commenced to sort them and to put
the amounts upon the paper. Some
OF them were very small, others
/ doomed large to me; altho knew be-
fore she spoke that they must seem
ridiculous to Mrs. Stowell-they would
: perhaps be no more than the weekly
bills of her establishment.
you mustn't blame Dick" re-
piled to some remark she made. MY
sickness cost more than we had
planned, and I couldn't help getting in
, debt. But Dick is so funny about such
things. he even went SO far as to say
he would do what Mr. Crawford did
and advertise he wouldn't pay my Bills
) II I had done as Mrs. Crawford had
5 and run him in debt. Oh, should
die If he ever did such a thingi''
: He won't because he never will
I
) me see if you have added it correctly
Yes S225.50. The very idea of your
| worrying your pretty little head over g
trffle like that You look half sick
and I believe it is because of these
she laid her hands on the pile of bills
Are you sure this is ali %
Yes. indeed" I had for the mo.
ment forgotten the things I had had
: charged on Clara Watson's account
) but as they flashed over me, L knew
1 would not have the courage to confess
them Some way they would be hard
er to explain than the house bills
Mrs. Stowell counted out $3.50 from
! a roll which looked as IL she had sew
| eral times that sum. She laid 1t or
the table and said:
Get on your things and will take
you around to pay those bills. then fol-
a ride in the park, Bring the baby
II will do him good. The air Is de-
, Ightful.''
6Tomorrow-Eyen Mr. stoweiI com.
J Dlains-}