The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-28
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
THE CLOTHES QUESTION AGAIN

CHAPTER 103.
Juanita seemed never to forget to
dress the part she wished to play.
or perhaps I should say, to emphasize
Clothes had once been my undoing-
rather the love of them.- Were clothes
to take my husband from me now :?
Not that Juanita lacked in cleverness
and fascination, but no woman who
psychology of clothes would under
estimate the effect her peculiar al
most bizarre style would have upon
a temperamental man.
Sometimes felt almost tempted to
give myself free rein again as far
as clothes were concerned. I would
not have to run in debit need only
let the rest of the house wait until
Dicks book was published and let him
foot the bills; and let Junior go with
out all the little extras 1 had been
sending him, and the other extras so
dear to the boy in school-his-athletic
sports, ct cetera.
I earned enough to dress almost as
wished, If I used it all for myself.
But even as I thought of it, I dis
missed the idea. No matter how well
dressed, no matter what L wore, L
never could compete with Juanita. If
tried to wear peculiar clothes, as she
tempting to copy her and make myself
ridiculous. I was not the type who
could wear bizarre gowns, and fileted
locks. Fashionable, stylish clothes
loked extremely well on me, as they
did on hundreds of other women,
dress as Juanita did and not be called
eccentric, to say the least.
1 decided that could not hold my
husband by spending my money to
deck out my person. 1 would adhere
to my original plan of decorating the
entire house as artistically as could /;
OF giving Junior all could afford that
l thought good for him to have, and
incidentally, would keep myself as
dainty and stylish as was possible
But this did not mean that L in
tended to give Dick over to Juanita
ment did I mean she should take him
from me If / could help it. So altho
at times my heart was aching, bleed
ing, because of my fears, I never gave
the slightest intimation to either Dick
or Juanita that I thought them more
being together SO much annoyed me
in the least.
I had not set myself an easy task
don't think 1 was a particularly good
actress. I often lay .sleepless all the
long night thru, and in the morning
looked tired with dark circles under
my eyes.
had my strong hours and my weak
ones. There were hours (few and far
apart when exhausted, depressed,
nervously exalted perhaps, 1 deter
| mined to give him up to Juanita; to
give up the house, take Junior and go
away. At these times I prayed that
my love might be killed. 1t was so
hard to leave him when I loved him
so dearly.
But there's Junior. have no
right to hurt him. would say. For
it hurt child when that child's father
and mother separated.
AT. times I had a mad impulse to
throw myself into Dicks arms, to bIurt
out all knew, all I had seen, all ]
suspected, all 1 believed-to ask him
to put Juanita out of his life, to love
me. and only me. as he used to. But
even If he promised, could he keep
such a promise? Junior had said Der
rick loved her because he couldn't
help it. That, perhaps, was the way
Dick loved her-because he couldn't
help it.
BY Dicks increasing moodiness ]
| knew that things were not going to his
liking. Juanita spent most of the day
! with him, occasionally coming back to
the study for an hour or two in the
| evening. Dick said to me in depre-
| eating sort of way. very unusual in
him:
"You see, Nan, we are really col
| laborating on my book, altho Juanita
| will not have it So"
IF that is really the case, Dick, why
won't she acknowledge it? Most writ
ers would demand recognition if they
gave up their time as she does"
"She is very generous" Dick replied
in musing way that angered me.
IT wonder if she is as much help as
| you imagine her to be-" I ventured
keeping my voice steady.
"Oh, yes! She has inspired the best
| in the book as well as helping me with
my characters, and descriptions
| According to you. she has written
the book. You have only been heI
| amanuensis."
Don't be sarcastic. Nan. thought
you liked Juanita.'
IT do, of course. But"
"What are you two quarreline
about? I couldn't help hearing my
name. I hope it isn't about me-"
Nan thinks you should receive your
share OF whatever fame the book may
| bring. We never quarrel" Dick ex-
planned soberly. I noticed he did not
| glance at Juanita who looked
dazzlingly lovely in an orange and
black creation, a brilliant orange scar,
about her head.
| Il have done nothing but try to helI
you, Dick. If the book is a success ]
shall be more than repaid"
| Dick raised his eyes, and as he
| looked at her I saw in them thai
which-drove me from the room.
| (Tomorrow-Nerves in the ascendent)
LUTTE BENNY'S NOTE BOOK |