The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-14
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN SLEEPS a BIT TOO LONG.
BY JANE PHELPS


CHAPTER 20.
After Jack had departed, Helen
drank another cup of coffee, took in
| the ice for the day, and the morning
paper, then retreated to her room,
leaving word that she was not to be
disturbed by the telephone.
Jacks a good boy!" she said aloud
| as she passed thru the orderly living
room. but he's SO sillyl He could
easily earn more and then we could
| have maid. 1 sort of hate to have
| him do homework, but if 1 give in
| now I'll never get what 1 want" and
throwing off the kimono that covered
| her nightdress. she crawled back into
| bed, the paper her companion.
She read it thru from beginning to
end, understanding only part of what
| she read-if you exclude the advertise
mentS, which she understood very well
indeed. Then, the paper finished, she
| darkened the room and slept. This
was how Jack found her when at 5
| o'clock he came home early after a
| tiresome and discouraging day.
AT first he thought she was out.
Playing bridge againi" he muttered
GROSSLY. Then he noted the drawn
| shades and quick fear sent him into
| the bedroom where he found Helen
cuddled in bed, fast asleep.
Jack was hungry, tired, and-he ac-
|
| had interviewed several prospects
| but they had remained prospects"
| He had received little encouragement
| that they would ever be anything
more. Finally he had determined to
go home early. eat his dinner and go
ITO bed.
when I get that sleep made up
things may look brighter" he grum-
| bled with a twisted smile.
! AS he stood and looked down at the
soft curves of his sleeping wife it was
| not admiration that stirred him, but
house, made it habitable for her, had
/ lost all of his nights sleep while she
slept quietly after her guests had gone,
and now, still asleep, she angered him.
! Without waking her he flung out of
| the room.
| In the dining room he halted. The
breakfast table was exactly as he had
| left it. Soiled dishes and the smell of
stale food disguised him. For long
moment he stood looking in disgust
at the table, then with a muttered
! curse resumed his coat and hat and
without a word>1eft the flat.
An hour passed. Helen yawned and
stretched luxuriously.
ct wonder what time it ISL she
muttered just as the clock in a neigh
boring tower commenced to strike the
| hour.
Lazily she began to count. When
she came to she sat up. At 2 she
was out of bed. She drew the shades
and looked out into the early night.
IT wonder where Jack is?'' she said
aloud as she drew on some clothes,
then giggled to think she had slept
so long. She felt rested, good. But
how hungry she was!
Once dressed she hurried into the
kitchen. She had not marketed for
anything save her party, and the ice
/ haf
an egg!
'I'll make Jack take me out" she
said, and hurried back to her room,
making q little face as she passed the
| disorderly dining room table. She was
ready even to her hat, but no Jack
came
Where in the world can he be?''
she said impatiently as she stood in
| the window.
| The clock struck 8.
Tears in her eye. Helen went once
more into the kitchen. Hunger de-
handing to be appeased, she found
some rolls left from the party, a little
of tIGs and that, and sitting down at
the messy table she ate her supper.
seasoned with salt, angry tears.
| She was still sitting there when
Jack came in.
'Where in the world have you
been?" she asked flaring up at him.
out to get my dinner His ans
Wer conveyed nothing of anger.
"out to get-your dinnerl And me
here
Asleep" he replied There are
limits even to my patience, Helen"
And you went out and had dinner
without me, and 1 was so hungry
Yes, and I shall do so again unless
you have it ready for me to eat here
| with you"
'If mother only ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
| treated me-" she sobbed.
| (Tomorrow-Jack takeS the bit in his
teeth for once.)