The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-06
Helen Hunters
Husband
JACK GOES I'M FOR NIGHT WORK
BY JANE PHELPS


Chapter 13.
Aghast Jack had listened to Helen's
chatter-her frank avowal that she
had used all the weeks house money
to provide the elaborate tea she had
served the club. For the moment it
overshadowed her shame of him,
which had cut deep.
but, Helen, you shouldn't have
given them so extravagant a spread.
We can't afford such things. l
haven't a single new policy thru, and
I gave you my last SIS bill this morn
ing"
rs it my fault you haven't made
more money? It's to be made or
Howard Dunn couldn't do it. AS l
have told you many times, you are
just as smart, even smarter than he
is. You don't try hard enough"
I'm glad you think me, at least.
Dunns equal in brains, but 1 am not
able to get over the big policies he
writes. Perhaps l shall when 1 have
been in the business as long as he has.
But in the meantime we will have to,
cut our cloth according to our pat
tern. I guess you'll have to give this
club up, Helen. We can't afford, such
luxuries yet"
Jack Hunter felt his heart sinking
as saw the expression on his wife's
face, but he was not prepared for the
hysterical outbreak that followed his
her club.
"I won't give up my clubi 1t is all
have. What fun do I have with
you? No theaters, no concerts, hardly,
cheap movie. I won't listen to you.
l WON'T" A flood of tears and sobs
racked her slender body. 'If mother
was alive she wouldn't let you treat
me so! She always wanted me to
have a good time, and you begrudge
me even belonging to one little club"
Il
talk things over If could afford 1t
you should belong to all the clubs you
wanted to, altho you know I hate to
have you gamble. And"
1.-THE idea of saying 1 gamble! Just
because we play for enough money to
make it interesting! But of course
you'd like some excuse for treating
me as you do. You Rnow~I love you,
and that's the reason I stand it. But
it is always the loving wife who gets
the seedlings. If 1 was like some wo-
men,
There, HeIen.r Jacks tone was the
embodiment of WEAKNESS. 4 Will try
to get some extra work to do evenings
to earn a little more"
"Oh, will you? You are clever, and
can make a lot on the side if you try
Jack thought of dishes to be washed
and the other tasks that had fallen to
him. and longed to tell Helen if she
give him his time he would be able to
get on better with all his work. But he
feared another hysterical spell, so said
nothing more. finished his dinner and
started to wash the dishes.
I'm dead tired, Jack, would you
mind drying them tonight. I shall go
straight to bed. I'd like to slap Nat
allie! Making me lose 20 dollars!"
Helen was already taking the pins
from her hair.
You do look tired, dear. run along
to bed, I'll attend to the work"
"You're an old dear, Jack" His
wife stood on her tip-toes and kissed
him. TRY and be as quiet as you can,
you noisy old bear, so I can go right to
sleep. / hate entertaining without a
maid!''
Her kiss had taken away the last bit
Of resentment he bore toward her. 1t
was her mothers fault, that poor hard
working boarding house 1andlady. He
must be patient with Helen, he was all
sshe had in the world, and she was so
loving. Even when she couldn't do as
she wanted to she was rarely cross,
just hurt-so Jack reasoned as he
went about the evenings work. 1t
lasted longer than usual because of
the extra dishes used for the club.
Yet his thoughts were SO busy that
he was surprised to- hear the clock
strike ten just as he finished the last
bit of work. setting out the milk bottle
Up to this time Helen had cried but
little since she wept for her mother.
Her tears had affected Jack strangely
made him feel all kinds of a brute.
as he said to himself.
He read until II, then crawled into
bed. Helen was sleeping as placidly
as a child.
CTomorrow-Jack turns in two large
policiesN