The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-21
The Woman
He Married
WE ARE ALL CHILDREN AT
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 124.

Chapter 124.
Juanita was on the porch. I knew
by her change of expression when she
saw me that I was unwelcome. But
she quickly recovered herself and
greeted me as usual.
We'll, Mr.. WATERMAN. feeling bet
ter?" she asked, calling Dick by the
name she had given him when he first
knew her. Then turning to me:
Wasn't he dear to telephone me
when he finished the story? He knew
was waiting to hear"
Dick is always thoughtful of his
friends" replied, indignant that she
had the nerve to mention the tele-
phone message
MY name will be Dennis with him
if this story is accepted" she said with
, laugh as she rang for tea which was
served on the porch. HE will think
alone"
And you think he cannot?" 1 could
not help the question.
MOI think he can. But he needs
sympathy, encouragement. don't you
Waterman? You are like a good
many men-nothing but a boy after
ALL She seemed to forget was there.
listening.
AS she talked, she gave him an in
| triguing look. soft, melting. 1 thought
of what those men had said, of what
Mrs Baker had told me, and clenched
my hands in my lap to refrain from
saying things l would regret simply
because it would give Dick a chance
/ to defend her-som I was de-
| teFmined never to allow. He should
not champion her because of anything
said or did. So I simply replied:
We are all children at times. I
imagine Mary Just then brought-tea
LIZ Nf<.1r .<1I,r
versation by complimenting Juanita
upon their excellence
II made them myself purposely for
fyou because you are SO fond of them,'
| she murmured.
! So she even flattered him by cook
ing the things he liked. What else
did she doithat I had not suspected
to strengthen her hold over him?
II don't wonder you like them, Dick,
they are delicious" L said. you
must give me the recipe. Juanita"
oh, I couldn't give it to anyone.
That is my especial treat for the
WATERMAN"
I said no more but looked at
Juanita as if I never had known her
before. What was she doing? What
| did this softness, this languishing
manner mean? 1t was not quite like
anything l had seen in her before.
Had she feared to fail in weaving
Dick entirely from me, and now had
adopted this clinging vine attitude
hoping to work on his man=nature in
that way?
+. We remained about an .hour-an
hour OF distress to me. of ~ particular
pleasure to either Dick or Juanita, ]
was sure. 1t was Dick who proposed
| going. Nothing loath, 1 rose at once
and Juanita made no objection.
/ When we reached home 1 found a
letter from Junior. Suddenly I de-
isrfa led to r. 17Sr
will you go with me, Dick ?" ]
asked. Junior would be delighted.
He said when he was at home that
1.-THE boys quite lionized him because
his father was an author
| No, l can't" Dick replied.
I'm sorry you won't go with me-
I replied, already regretting / had
said 1 would go.
Il am too tired, too nervous. When
| I get rested perhaps I'll run down for
"a day. But stay as long as you can,
Nan. 1t will do you good
And give you perfect freedom to
spend all the time with Juanita," l
said to myself. my heart full of bitter
ness. But 1 would go. 1t would do
me good. The constant striving to
hide my feelings, to pretend noticed
nothing in Dicks attentions to Juanita
was becoming almost unbearable- I
would relax for bit. Perhaps when
| returned II Woulo not De quite as
hard.
And I would be with Junior
Whenever I became discouraged,
when I felt my cross was greater than
n could bear, would think of him
( and carry on because of him. his fu-
I! ture. If could help it that future
should not be blighted by scandal.
How delighted he was to see me.
It almost made me forget the indif-
iferent way Dick had babe me good
/ bye. And he looked so well, was so
full of boyish Enthusiasts and ideas
His teachers told me he was very
bright in his studies, that his work in
school was exceptionally good. 1 WAS
icomforted, and for two or three days
almost happy.
(Tomorrow-Are dreams warnings2)
- Let me kiss those tears away" he
begged tenherly.