The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-25
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
SUNSHINE AND SORROW.
CHAPTER 1o1.

SUNSHINE AND SORROW.
CHAPTER 1o1.
Two days after Junior came home
Dick left for Chicago. He had been
distract, uneasy, not at all natural or
like himself. With 'boyish curiosity
Junior asked:
whats the matter with da1,
mother"
Nothing that I know of. dear,
why?"
He isn't like he used to be when
I am with him. Perhaps it's because
I'm bigger, older"
Yes, perhaps He, feels that he
can't pet and cuddle a big boy like
you,' returned. trying to laugh. but
longing to cry.
What's he going away for?'
Something about his new book"
I thought nothing of the question as
Junior knew Dick never went from
home.
Say, mother, isn't it great that dad
is writing a book? I told some of the
fellows he was that Richard Williams
who wrote such corking yarns, and
they have been most respectful to me
ever since. But I wish he wouldn't
act queer with ME. I don't want to be
cuddled. No boy does, 1 guess, but he
acts as if he didn't really want me
dEOunO-alIIO ne uO6Sn say SO, OIL
course"
"A guilty conscience?" I thought,
but only said:
you imagine it. dear. He is alb
sorbed in his work."
We went to the train with Dick
when he left. That morning he had
been out of the house for some time.
1 knew as well as if 1 had seen them
together that he had been with
Juanita. 1t reconciled me to his
going.
"How's Aunt, Nita?" Junior asked,
Il guess I will run ever to see her."
Very well, dear" I would say or
do nothing to waken any suspicion in
my boys mind. He must believe in
if 1 could only hold Dick.
Coming along?"
mo, dear, L am too busy. And,
Junior You can write to your buddy
that would like him to visit you. I'll
send a note to his mother"
you're brick, mother" He gave
me boyish squeeze, and returned my
kiss rather bashfully. He was APP
preaching the age when he seemed to
think kissing unmanly, for all saveNhis
mother. Il hate a mushy boyi" he
stated when 1 said something along
those lines-asked him why he didn't
KISS Dick instead of just shaking
hands.
We'll, no one could accuse Won of
being 'mushy!" 1 replied. This big
boy was a constant delight and sur
prise to me. That a year away from
home could make him so self-reliant
SO manly. was wonderful. I. thought.
DICK was right! 1t was best for
him." 1 said to myself, as watched
MN during those vacation days when
we were alone. He was so manly and
seemed to feel a sort of responsibility
that was delightful to me.
His buddy came. Derrick Mortimer
"a charming, wholesome lad. just
juniors age. What gay times we
three hadi Occasionally Juanita Joined
us, always because Junior proposed
it, and would not object. 1 was not
happy at those times, but I think no
one noticed.
One thing worried me. Unneces-
sarily as far as the lad went, of course.
That was Derrick's devotion to juan
tia. She fascinated him from the
first. In two days he was calling her
Nita, and running errands for her,
skipping over there whenever he could
get away.
mo wonder Dick is IN love with
her!" I said to myself, she fascinates
everyone, men, women, and children"
realized that this was partly due
to her unusualness. She was absolute
ly unique in all she did, and in her
dressing.
''Nita is a peach." heard Derrick
say to Junior. Doesn't she look stun
ming always? I wish she'd come to
Los Angeles. Wouldn't the boys open
their eyes if they saw her. and saw
US so friendly with herr"
Eyes. she's stunning" Junior an
swered, then warmed my heart by
adding, But somehow, dear, 1 like
mothers kind the best. She isn't so
snowy. but she's all wool and two
yards wide"
"You bet she is, I'll tell the world
so,"
I stole away. my eyes full Of tears,
my heart glad. My boy preferred me
best.
(Tomorrow-Junior defines love and
liking.)