The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-07
Helen Hunters
Husband
BY JANE PHELPS
HELEN LEARNS OF HER
MOTHER-IN-ILAW.



Jacks mother met them with open
arms.
1T is time I knew my sons wife,
my new daughter" she said as she
welcomed Helen. And from that
moment Helen was a daughter to the
refined, delicate-looking woman, who
managed the little farm so success
fully; and who cared for her home in
so dainty a fashion.
Il told you mother could cook"
Jack praised that first night at din
nsr, and each meal he stayed he made
the same remark.
They had been with his mother less
than a week when Jack heard from
Howard Dunn He was i'll, in bed.
had a. number of good prospects in
view that must be handled at once or
he would lose them. Would Jack
come back, and take care of them for
him on fifty-fifty basis?
Jack would
He was still stern and unlike him
self with Helen. That is. unlike the
easily influenced Jack she knew. He
told her he would send for her IL he
decided they'd better go on as before;
if he could make up his mind to over
look what she had done.
Il will stay until you send for me"
Helen meekly promised.
They had decided to tell old Mrs.
Hunter nothing of their trouble. 1t
would only worry her, and to no pur-
pose.
With Jacks departure, Helen. who
had been rather subdued. woke up.
She became the embodiment OF
energy. Mother Hunter was urged TO
teach her to cook to do all the things
she did. So day after day Helen grew
in the knowledge necessary to a
woman who would make the home of
a man in medium circumstances a
happy one.
f0
rolls, to cook meats and vegetables
and without waste. She made de-
licious pies and buildings, and old
fashioned cookies Mrs Hunter said
iron her own dainty underwear, to
mend and darn her clothes.
My own mother was too busy to
teach me-" she once said
Il understand! A woman cant
earn the money to live on and have
much time for anything else"
But it wasn't all her fault" Helen
added, grown honest of late. Il was
not willing to learn; all 1 wanted was
good time
II know" the gentle voice an
swered, but you are making up now.
You will soon be famous housekeep-
err" She never voiced her wonder as
to how Jack and Helen had gotten on
with such ignorance as Helen had dis
played when they came.
You have been very good to teach
me-" Helen murmured.
1T has been delightful to have you
with me-"
Between the two there had grown
up a strong affection. At times Helen
felt tempted to tell of her mistakes.
of Barnes, then remembering that
Jack had said it would worry his
mother, she kept still altho 1t would
have been a relief to talk.
Jack wrote weekly, but with no
word of love, no intimation as to the
time he would send for her. She
couldn't quite believe he would leave
her with his mother if he intended to
divorce her, yet she feared. In her
letters to him, however. she said moth
ing of how she was working, and had
asked his mother not to mention IT,
If he did take her back she would
surprise him.
Jack also was preparing a surprise
for her. 1t had been as hard for him
perhaps harder than it was for her
to act as he had but he felt her lesson
must be as severe as possible II it were
to do permanent good. He had been
successful with Howard Dunn's pros
poets. and had written several good
banked half. The rest he had divided
between himself and Helen, but say
ing nothing of what he had put away.
Some day I'll have that home I've
always wanted" he said to himself as
he sat in the little apartment that
seemed some way very forlorn with
out Helen. They had discharged the
maid before they left. and Jack was
caring for himself, save that he took
his dinners at some restaurant But
he missed Helen, her gay chatter, her
lively ways.
Il can't stand It much longer!" he
muttered. Til have to send for her
soon"
He made no explanations as to Hell
ems absence, and no one save Nell
Layton had connected it in any way
with Barnes. She, of course. knew
(Tomorrow-Home and foTgfveness.1