The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-31
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
THE PROMISED IIOUsEWARN
ING.
CHAPTER 1Ce.

ING.
CHAPTER 10s.
I was amazed when. few days
after I had spoken of our taking q
trip together, Dick had remarked:
Now that you have finished the
house, Nan, what about that promised
housewarming
+ .Why, IL didn't suppose you cared
to have It now.
why not?" A scowl accompanied
the words. It seemed as if he had
read my thought--that now he was
too interested in Juanita to care for
anything 1 could do
"Oh, 1 don't know." I was en-
barrassed, afraid to show too mu III
feeling for fear he would see the real
reason why I had not mentioned the
party for which had been SO keen a
few months previous.
Aren't ashamed of your work. are
you?" This attempt to be facetious
was unlike him.
I'll tell the world I'm mott" I re-
piled in the slang Junior had used SO
often on his last visit home. mo in
deed, Dick. l am rather proud of
what l have done. Aren't you?"
I asked the question, longing for the
old hearty approval.
Naturally I am" was his answer.
when would you like the party?"
I asked. disappointed that he had not
said more. I had put much thought,
many hours of hard work, and a good
deal of the money / had earned, into
the decoration of our home. I had
done it all. even to the tinting of the
ceilings. And l knew we had a very
artistic, restful home. even tho it
Hacked the elegance of the Bakers and
1.-THE unusual effects that 1 had used
when doing Juanita's home.
I'VE must have it soon" Dick re-
piled, then l saw him bite his lip and
flush. l knew it must have some ref
erence to Juanita- I had learned to
| associate that flush with her. I knew
1 was right when he added in a hesi-
tating way: II may go on that yacht
| ing trip, you know-and then when !
come back it might be-too late-er
not convenient-cr-som
Very well. I'll get out the invita-
tons at once. I'll make the list and
| you can look it over. We only want
those to whom we are indebted, or of
whom we are fond. But I might for
get some one"
I headed my list with Juanita. She
had to be asked, and why not put her
at the top of the list? 1t would he'll }
was finding very hard to hide.
With one or two exceptions Dick ap-
proved my list. Then he asked:
Shall you have cards?"
No, I~don't think so. Suppose We
have little dancing? Our living
room is large enough. and we have
| several new records
| "A good idea. If I can help, call
on me-and 1 am sure Juanita will do
anything you ask her to. There she
| comes now. 1 looked out to see
Juanita turning in at the gate. It was
fso seldom that Dick called her by
Iname nowadays that I had scarcely re-
IcOVpra6 ho y,a
IN. Dick had opened the door for her
rand I thought I detected q glance OF
something like an understa nding flash
from her eye as she came in. Dick $
back was toward me so was not sure.
I was just telling Nan you would
be glad to help her She is going to
fgive house-warming," Dick explained
almost before l could greet her.
+ "oh how lovely! OF course I will
help. Only tell me what can do
wanted to say that I wanted no
assistance from her-in fact. that
nothing would please me SO much as
never seeing her again. Instead. after
one look at Dicks face, I replied:
Thank you. if there is anything
with which I need assistance I shall
Ireply, but the best could manage.
Dol" Then to Dick: I'VE should
hear from the manuscript in a few
days / can't sleep o'nights thinking
about It..
That 1--WE" and something in her
voice. her declaration that she Iaid
awake thinking of her work with
Dick. grated on my nerves.
IF you feel as keenly as that you
should have allowed your name to
have appeared upon the story as col,
laborating with Dick" I spoke rather
sharply. and Dick scowled at me be.
fore he said:
Il did all I could to persuade
juanita- She is. has been, singularl,
unselfish.'
i Nonsense! Now about that party
what are you going to do to entertain
them"
II thought of dancing. and perhap.
something else. I haven't decided
oh, have dancing! adore tt
dance and get so little opportunity
: Dick was also fond of dancing, and
! as L visualized them floating arount
the room clasped in each others arms
almost decide not give them TIN
chance. Then my pride whispered:
, If dancing with her is more to hin
) than your devotion, you might as wei
face the TRUTH =
(Tomorrow-heartb
measles)