The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-24
The Woman
He Married
BY ZANE PHELPS
BY JANE PHELPS
A PERIOD OF DEPRESSION.
CHAPTER 100.

went into the study and laid
Juniors letter and report in front of
Dick.
1.-THE boy is doing splendidly," said
See what good report he has for
the last quarter"
How glad I was to have something
of mutual interest to talk about, some
thing which would steady me.
That's bully" he said as he looked
| over the marks, then picked up the
letter.
I watched his face as closely as I
dared while he read. Suddenly there
| came before me that look of relief 1
had seen that day at the station. Had
he been afraid the boy would see and
know? That was it! Even then. so
long ago. he had loved Juanita.
Other thoughts followed in quick
succession. other things were i'm
pressions had been SO family regis
soon as received. I recalled the look
on his face the night of her house
warming-that had been the begin
ming felt sure. Had not been blind
I would have noticed it then-that he
was commencing to care for her.
and could have perhaps done some
thing before it had gone too far
I compelled my thoughts to a halt
I would not admit it had done that
gone too far. Not yet. I would be
sure. OF course he cared for her or
he would not have held her in his
arms. But it might have been a sud-
den temptation-she was fascinating
in that sapphire dress.
IA nice letter. am glad he enjoys
the school"
1--WE shall have him for a whole
month, Dick! am SO delighted I can
scarcely contain myself
81 am glad he is coming now, be-
cause have got to--be away"
Away! How-where?" STAN
mered. Dick never had left me for a
day since we had Joined him in the
desert.
what for?"
Don't ask questions in that tone!
70 see a publisher. One would think
l had no right to 60"
1T isn't that. Dick. but when Junior
has been away so long. Can't you go
some other time-or writer"
IT am the best Judge of what I can
do and when"
I said no more but left him. Here
was a new situation. Was he going
because Junior was coming, and he
feared the boys sharp eyes2 How
laughted at me! What a fool they
must have thought me! How they
must have sneered at my trust, my
faith in them, when day after day I
left them alone in the study for hours
at time.
You mustn't think of those things
if you are going to win him back
my inner consciousness admonished
me.
Il won't" I promised, not realiz-
ing it was a promise impossible to
keep to the letter, altho I might do
my best to keep the spirit of it,
Hello dad! Mother dearr Junior,
boy-like, had taken a train arriving
home an hour earlier than we ex-
peeted him; Gave you surprise.
threw HIS arms around my neck. then
shook hands with his father
II should say you did!'' 1 returned
as reached out for him again. ct
was just getting ready to go to the
station"
II told my buddy I would surprise
you. Hes coming over some time
during vacation, mother, If YOU can
have him? He's a dandy. and has
dandy folks. They live in Los An
geles. His mother has been good to-
me, and SO has his dad. know you'll
like him. He's the right sort, no bluff
in Derrick
assured Junior ] would be de-
lighted to have his buddy visit us,
but noticed that Dick said nothing.
Now I was keenly aware of my hus-
bands attitude-perhaps apt to go
to the other extreme and make more
of things he did. his looks and man
ner, than I should. But just then
even his irrespsonsiveness could not
worry me. I had my boy.
As 1 looked at Junior almost as
tall as his father. with Dicks eyes
and features-Dick as he was when
I first knew him-I could scarcely be-
lieve he was my hoy, my baby. III
breathed a prayer of thanks that I
had Him, his love.
anonymously came the thought
Some day he, too. would find an
other woman to put in my place.
(Tomorrow-Sunshine and shadow.)