The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-08
The Woman
He Married
BY lane PHEIPC
DICK PROVES HIS COURAGE.
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER Sc.

There is an old saying that sit is a
long lane that has no turning" but
with us the turn had come, altho the
way had seemed hard and long at
times. 1 have not told of the many
| heart-burnings, the despair that held
me often when 1 thought of what Dick
| had been about to do the day I found
him-with that pistol in his hand. The
fear that, unless things Strengthened
out from him he might repeat the at
tempt, and successfully, was SO acute
! at times that L felt almost nauseated.
| But now L had no such fear. Dick
was once more THE Captain of his
soul, the Master of his fate" He wl1is-
tied about the house, he joked and was
in many respects the same loving and
lovable Dick I had married. Not that
our experience had not left its impress
docs not any upheaval of our moral
system invariably do that? But it had
not made Dick either sour or perma-
nently unhappy. I never spoke of this
| TO him but once. He said:
How could allow anything that
r. ne.pSe.ied III me past to spoil your
life, Nan? Yours and Juniors? And
know that if 1 did, I should be do
/ ing you both a wrong. But it isn't all
| that, dear. I am happy now. L can't
help but think of what we went thru,
cannot quite obliterate the memory of
Iour|blunders, our wicked actions. Yet
we have come back, Nam And this
careful that we do not sin again.
Junior must love US, Nan, respect US"
At times 1t seems that when things
are brightest, our hopes highest, some
thing invariably happens untoward.
So 1t was now with us. Our last
debt had been paid. We had COM
menced to talk of buying a lot and
| building a home. Both of US liked
Lansing, and had decided to remain
there. Mother was delighted. 1t had
1r-so
near her. and that we had been SO
contented, so happy, pleased her i'm
mense1y.
We had been talking together of
our plan for a home with a shop de-
tached, but on the same ground, as I
had very fiourishing little business
now, with three helpers, when we
heard the clang of the fire engine.
This in a small town where the force
is usually inadequate. is always far
more dangerous than in the big cities
with their well organized departments.
Dick hurried out, while I watched
from the windows. The fire was in a
poor quarter Of the town, old wooden
ltenement-like houses, which burned
rapidly
We had maid to help in the house
now so that might give more time to
my business. so 1 left her with Junior
and also went to the fire. I felt I'M
accountably nervous. altho there was
no possible danger to US, as the fire
was quite ways distant, and the wind
also carried it away from us.
They were taking the people down
ladders when I arrived. the citizens
working with the firemen in the rescue
work. looked around for Dick but
could find no trace of him. This did
not worry me at first as the entire
town seemed to have turned out to
watch the fire. and in the crowded
street full of smoke it was almost i'm
possible to distinguish faces.
heard a familiar voice and turned
to see one of the young men employed
at the bank.
do you know where Mr. Williams
| 2" asked. He came over as soon
as the fire broke out. 1 can't get thru
the crowd"
81 saw him a while ago. He was
helping to take the women and chill
dren out"
"He wasn't going into the build
ings?" My heart almost stopped beat
ing as a burst of flame drove the peo-
pie back.
eyes. but don't be frightened. r.
think they are all out now. He is
probably over on the other side. I'll
go look for him if you will remain
here"
DO go, please, And tell him I am
waiting"
But before the young man could
turn I saw Dick. He was soaking wet
where the firemen had played the
hose on him as he carried a child
about Juniors age down the ladder,
this I learned afterward, and so black
ened with smoke that 1 scarcely knew
him.
Come right home, Dick. you'll have
a terrible cold 1 am afraid" 1 said, as
chill in the air made me shiyer.
Don't worry, dear. A little wet
ting won't hurt me-"
We stood a few moments watching
the fire die down because there was
nothing more to feed it, then went
home. fused over Dick, made him
hot drink, ct cetera. But he was
very restless all night. and in the
morning had a hard cold, and little
fever.
He insisted upon going to the bank.
laughing at my fears.
(Tomorrow-Dic.l has pneumonia)