The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-11
The Woman
He Married
DICK LEAVES IN SEARCH OF
HEALTH.
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER So.


HEALTH.
| CHAPTER So.
i The doctor came that evening and
hac long talk with Dick He was
very encouraging, told him it would be
=, oriy a short time before he picked up
! in different climate, while 1t would
take months where we were.
You will go, won't you. Dick?"
begged after the doctor left.
! I'D be glad to do anything to get
we'll quickly for your sake, Nan, but
we can't go west. We haven't the
money!
THE money will be had some way
I replied, then said no more. Dick
looked SO tired, so white and wan 1
feared that even the doctors call had
hurt him.
| But the next morning when he felt
a little better and brighter I said:
| Dick, you must go to California the
last of the week" 1t YVES then Tues
day:
But Nan, how,
Don't ask any questions, dear II
have enough for your fare. and for the
first weeks of your stay coming in
MY fare!'
Eyes"
What about yours? I suppose you
will leave Junior with mother II we
do 60" NIL
I
will come on later. 1 have too much
work promised to leave honorably. l
had made up my mind this was the
one plea that would have weight with
him, and it was really true. The work
lhad piled up while Dick had been SICK,
altho my girls had been wonderful.
| "You mean am to go way out there
alone?" amazement in his voice ana
face.
For a time. yes. III come just as
soon on can't ea do do it. Nan. I'd die of lone
Illness"
you must go, Dick" I think there
Twas something in my face that startled
him Something I had not meant 70
show, but that proved my fears, for he
Very well. Nan, I'll 60" Then: at
seems dreadful to have you work TOT
me-"
! I felt like saying that it was because
they were but RETAINED. I only asked:
wouldn't you work for me-"
"Of course"
"There is no difference. Dick. And
it will break my heart If you allow
yourself to have any foolish notions
about it. My business is established.
IL am a success IN a small way In II:
You know that, so need not think OF
4 me trying some new notion without
assurance Of it's success. shall come
to you as soon as I can. But, dear,
when do, it will be to find you almost
well and ready to come home. Even
1 the doctor said you would be sure to
put up a good fight for your health
because of Junior and me-"
"And because of you two I Will" he
declared with the first bit OF ANNA
i ton he had shown since I had told
+! him he must go alone.
i 81 knew you would when you
4 Il g. lfoN<
| It means more to me than even you
/ can understand, perhaps. 1T is be-
cause of my love and because of my
remorse. I don't know which is the
stronger reason feel that Il
/ please dear"
'.But, Dick, I can't help feeling as
I do-that if I had been the right sor.
of a wife you never would have been
there, never-been ill.,
Nan. I was just as weak, just as
wicked. Let us make a bargain, never
to speak of it again. We are happy
the past is over and done with. Pc
haps dear,I am better man, you a
better woman because of it. Even II
i no. we cannot change it."
4 st know, dear. And I realize that
But we must make the future ours.
must know that I have been the
woman you thought me when you mar
ried me, instead Of the woman I have
! been"
i "You are, always have been the only
woman in the world for me. Nan, and
1 think you know it. If we have made
mistakes they are ours, they belong to
both of US. I won't let you take all
the blame as you do. 1 will do what
you ask, dear. I will fight to get well
for you and Junior"
We talked very little after that.
was terribly busy all the week packing
for Dick trying to think of every lit
tie thing 1 could do to add to his COM
fort. On Saturday he left for Cali
fornia. And only after he was gone
did I all/w myself the pleasure of
weeping for him. the giving way to my
fears. For hours I agonized. trying to
believe had done the right thing, yet
fearful that>he might pass out alone
for L. ha rrr1S Ill