The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-26
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
JUNIOR DEFINES LOVE AND
LIKING.
Chapter 102.

Cnapter lVZ.
Two weeks later, and just two days
before Junior went back to school.
Dick came home. He did not look
like a man who has been on a va
cation. He looked worn, almost ill.
He has been thinking what to do"
flshed thru my mind as 1 saw him.
Nothing but mental strain ever
brought such look to anyone's face.
Junior and I met his train. 1 was
thankful that Junior was with us.
1t would have been almost impossible
for me not to have shown 1 sensed
something had been alone with Dick
But even SO he was distract, quiet,
seeming to listen to Junior. but I knew
by his expression that he scarcely
heard a word.
Der fell in love with Aunt Nita,"
Junior informed his father.
1 was surprised to notice the start
Dick gave until he said:
"Der-Der who?"
why Derrick, my buddy. He's
been here visiting, and he fell for Aunt
Mia the minute he saw her.
How old is this young mani"
The question was asked smilingly
and with a note of relief in his voice
and on his face.
About my age. a month or two
younger"
"Juanita must feel fIattered."
She was awful nice to him, Dad
But not half as nice as mother was
Even Buddy liked mother the best
II he was in love with Aunt Nita."
Whats the difference between
loving and liking. Junior" asked
amused by his accenting the liked.
Why. you love people because you
can't help it. 1 guess You like them
for something-welI, for something in
them, something they are, 1 should
say" He blushed a little, then, And
I'll tell the world that you are all
right. mother
I smiled at the boy. but was sorry
had asked him to define love and
liking. He had given a definition that
made me uneasy. Love-because one
couldn't help MISUNDERSTANDING
| cause of some quality of character.
Which would last the longer?
Dick had made no comment on
Juniors definition, but he had flushed
| almost painfully.
Had Juanita fascinated him so that
he couldn't help loving her, 1 WON
dered. Then I put the idea from my
mind for the time. 1 was Dicks wife.
By every means in my power 1 would
hold him. I would not give him up
without struggle, of that I was
positive. The struggle was not only
for myself, but for Junior.
For the two days remaining of
Juniors vacation Dick was with us
good deal, altho I knew he had gone
over to Juanita's the night he came
HOlIie ne HdQ remained Dut a snort
time, and had said something about
finding out about a character in his
book that troubled him, a man she had
known.
I was surprised at first at his ex-
PLANTATION. Then I thought of Junior.
ing US. He had not felt it necessary
to apologize to me. I had shown my
self SO dense there could be no need
But with the quick, bright eyes and
mind of his boy watching him, on the
alert: the excuse seemed requisite.
While Dick had been away I had
seen very little of Juanita in spite
of the boys running there a good deal
1t wasn't necessary, and l gave my
work as an excuse for not torturing
| myself by being with her.
Junior had returned to school. Dick
and L were once again alone in the
house where I had anticipated such
happiness and which 1 was afraid
would prove my Gethsemane The
and thought upon, was occupied again
almost daily by Juanita and Dick in
close and intimate conversation-or
love-making.
When I tapped on the door and even
a moment elapsed before Dick would
say come in 1 could close my eyes
and see her in his embrace. But
would go in, and compel myself to sit
and chat with them, sometimes re-
naming until Juanita would declare
she must go, and then proposing that
We. Dick and /, walk home with her,
so forestalling either of them in their
! wish to be alone.
took great pains at this time with
the home, with my table, and with
my own toilet [ used a little of the
money I earned for a smart gown or
two, with dainty accessories. I had
no such desire for dress as I once
had, yet knew that Dick was pleased
because had spent the money-my
own money.
81 wish you would use all you earn.