The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-14
The Woman
He Married
nv JANE PHELPS
BY JANE PHELPS
ON THE DESERT.
CHAPTER 81.

| far from well. He still coughed, but
II could see at once that his loneliness
| had worn on him. He encouraged
Junior to prattle every moment whe.1
1 was not with him. Once during the
first few days he said:
Il love the desert at times. Nan.
But at other times the iineliness of it
| frightens me. I feel shut off AMI
| shut out from every human being.
That is its fascination for some, per-
| haps. But I guess 1 like companion
ship too well to ever care for the
desert very long
1 could not see why anyone should
live on the desert unless it was abso-
| iutely necessary. but / did not say so
to Dick. 1t seemed indescribably
lonely to me. The white sand all
about us, the cacti and sage brush,
the cloudless sky that made you feel
an ache for good shower-all OPP
pressed me-
1 saw the physician to whom Doc
tor Hill had sent Dick.
Your husband has improved, and
now that you are here he will do even
better But you wish me to tell you
the truth. He cannot live in cold
climate. He viii live for years here,
not necessarily on the desert all that
time. But could he remain here a
year then I think it would be perfectly
feasible for him to live in Santa
Barbara (where lie had gone at firstt,
or in any mild climate
Then you think he must remain
here for a year longer?" asked, almost
frightened at the thought. A whole
year in that place-for, of course,
should not leave him.
Yes. If he is to live
That settled it. 1 could say no more.
So made my plans. Dick was living
in tent. He had tried to be so eco
nomical that many things could be
done to make it more comfortable.
had A good floor made, and bought a
few bright colored Indian rugs. Then
fitted up a lean-to 1 had built to
serve asa kitchen where l could cook,
and store dishes and utensils. We
would eat i'll the larger tent in the
middle of the day, outdoors night and
morning. 1 had brought a few good
books, all the latest magazines. ct
cetera. When I had everything ar
ranged Dick said:
1T takes woman's touch to make
home, doesn't it, Nam
1T was forlorn, dear" replied.
but now that am here we are going
to have it just as honey as we cam
felt sure l could get thru the year
on the $4,000. Beyond that I dared
not think or look. OF course 1 was
confident / could pick up my business
again If necessary, but it would have
to be in a strange place among strange
people And while I had the expert
ence, 1 would lack the help mothers
acquaintance had given in starting in
Lansing.
But had a long IL months ahead
of me in which to plan.
DICK and 1 discussed the wisdom
OF Keeping Junior with us. He was
old enought to commence going to
school, and mother would gladly take
him.
Iii teach him. It will give me
something to do. And it will do him
good to live up here for a year"
education can't be turned to some
, account.
at once saw the advantage of
Dicks suggestion. 1t would keep
MIN busy, keep him from thinking
too much of his health, and at the
same time he would be entertained
by Junior, who was full of fun and
life.
That's a fine indea, and we will
take up the study Of some language
together, French or Spanish"
Dick had wanted to do this when
we were first married, but my mind
mad been SO taken up with other
things that 1 had not kept at it long
enought to do me any good
Il am pretty rusty, but I guess
h,
who was good linQuist, replied
Thus we planned to make Iivable
the year We must spend far from
human companionship- And I was
surprised how much 1 found to do,
how fast the time vert. 1 took great
pains that Dicks food should be
dainty and nourishing; that he should
sleep in the air as much as possible
we had swung a hammock outside
the-tent for him-and that he should
not become overtired. It was sur
prising how quickly he began to
show decided Improvement.
/ TITS because I am not lonely any
more, Man,
at felt sure you needed US long be-
for we came, Dick" I returned, but
it was best for me to stay until 1
could make, things safe for US for a
little time. Now we are together, and
have nothing to worry about
mo, by the end of the year I shall
be able to work. You can't imagine
what that will mean, Nan. To work
again. to care for you and Junior, to
try and repay you for all you have
done for mel
Don't Dicki" I bent and kissed
him. AS always the hurt of what I
had done to him IN those years in
New York was present in my mind.
Tomorrow new home.)N