The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-21
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
DICK DECLARES NAN IS
ExTRAVAGANT.
CHAPTER 20.


beautifully served. We sat talking and
laughing over our food until nearly
O'Clock. Then I asked for the check.
1. had tried to add it up during the
meal. but it had been impossible for
me to do it. I, of course, had a sort
of an idea what it would amount to.
but l felt comfortable to think l had
put all Dick had given me in my bag.
The check came to a little over s14 and
we had only ordered two portions of
crab meat I fave the waiter s1.5o at
nod fSem Clara as l picked the
change he brought me. My little party
had cost me over SO. But lett II
had been worth it.
Mrs StOweiIs limousine was walt
ing and she took US nome, driving
thru the park.
BE sure and come and see me
soen,' she said at parting. We hat
dropped Clara first, and she mad also
| invited her to call. my husband is
wild over your little boy. Come Sun
day when he is at home, and make
that big husband of yours bring the
baby. 1t will please Mr.. Stowell i'm
mensely.
accepted blithely. Dick would be
pleased. 1 knew he liked Mr.. Stowell-
! Her 1nyltalfOn HllSHt HldhS ~ OeioiSA
for me to confess my extravaganza
Clara telephened me ALMOST as soon
as got home.
II lust couldn't waitl 1 wanted so
to talk things over with you," she said
when I answered.
1T was all right, WASH it? Every
thing?"
II should say it was! Couldn't have
oh had
| if she is so rich. But that's the way
| to do. When you give party do it
| up brown even if you can't do 1t
often.'
II shall have to eat dry crackers for
a month to pay for thisi" l replied,
| laughing, yet feeling it was the truth
nevertheless.
| Not once did a thought that L had
wronged my husband enter my mind,
or that I had robbed him by spending
his money SO extravagantly. He de-
MED himself in every way, smoking,
lunches, in many little economies,
while not only had treated my friends
to an extravag ant-for us-luncheon,
but had also given the waiter a sub
stantial tip.
But I was a bit anxious as to what
he would say. I was quite sure The
would be hurt because I had not
thought my home good enough to en-
!
make more rneney-then we could live
in a place where I wouldn't be morti-
fled to have people like her visit me, l
thought. Anyway she was his friend
before she had become mine. and it
was for his sake as well as my own
that l wanted to have things nice for
iher-so 1 persuaded myself.
r 1T is easy to make ones self believe
things. Especially when we want to
believe them.
| I told Dick about Mrs. Stoweirs in
vitation for Sunday. He seemed
pleased, and agreed to go. Then he
asked the usual question::
What have you been doing today?
Did you and Junior go out?"
! II went out, downtown. Mrs. Dooly
stayed with Junior
II Where did you go?''
| Dick had no idea of quizzing me-
| that I knew. He was simply making
| talk. Yet 1 felt annoyed with him. 1
intended to tell him. had to, because
Mrs. Stowell would be sure to mention
1t Sunday. But l wanted to tell him
| my own way.
II went to the Waldorf to luncheon
| with Mrs. Stowell and Clara"
IT didn't know they were acquaint-
ed. Who gave the luncheon, Mrs.
| Stowel1?''
'They weren't acquainted until to-
day. And gave the luncheon" There,
it was out
You gave a luncheon, at the Wal
| dorf! What kind of a luncheon?'
"A very good one" I did not like
his tone.
| But, Nan. don't understand We
cannot afford any such extravaganza
| now-we aren't out of debt yet, and
you are constantly talking of what YOU
| need" shivered when he said we
weren't out of debt. He little knew
how deeply We were in debt.
| WeH. / had to do it. and inst
wouldn't entertain them herei" and
a1tho am not the weepy kind 1 COM
| meneed to cry. For once Dick paid
no attention to my tears.
| How much did it cost?'
Fourteen dollars" I would say
| nothing of the tip.
Man! You spent $14 at the Wal
| dorf when three or four would have
| entertained them just as well at home
| il you felt you must do it, when I
| need a suit of clothes so badly. and
you also say you need hat and dress ?''
Well, it's done, so there's no good
scolding. I won't have to do it again
for long time
: Il wish you had spoken to me about
lit, dear. T.
II did it on impulse returned
Now let's forget it! I'll save it in
| some way, you're so wrought UP over
| it. I'll go without something I need"
| (Tomorrow-Diek exto1s his firm)
Ceoree Matthew A dams