The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-11
Chapters From a
Woman, s Life
BY JANE PHELPS

was really awfully proud of Wal
ter's success. He had had several pic
| lures hung in the Academy, and was
spoken of as that rising young ar
list" If at times wished he had some
other profession, just hearing him en-
thuse over a face, a bit of sunset, a
tree as it was outlined against the
sky, would show me how utterly fool
| ish it was even to think OF him as any
thing but the artist he was.
But had my bad moments-yes
hours and days when felt sick to
think of him in the studio alone with
Helen Ralstrom. OF no other model
had L ever experienced such continued
uneasiness. 1t was in no way lessened
when Grace Harter called one day and
said:
: "What are you thinking of, Doreen,
to let Walt paint that girl?'
what girl? don't know what You
mean" parried, knowing well enough
whom she was talking of, but not how
she knew about Miss Ralstrom.
THAT Miss Ralstrom. I was going
by the studio and thought I'd run in
and see what Walt was doing, and
there they sat having luncheon to-
gether as coy as you like. They didn't
seem any too pleased to be inter-
rupted either. She's a raving beauty.
Trust Walt for that!"
"She is lovely" L replied, 1.-THE love-
Hest blonde I ever saw" As Grace
was a decided blonde I felt I had
scored.
''WaIt is too good-iooking to be safe
with such a girl. I believe she is in
love with him now. She looked dag
gers at me because I joked with him.
Grace left soon afterward, but she
left very uneasy feeling behind her
Suppose she were right, and this girl
had fallen in love with Walter? He
was easily flattered. Would he be
able to resist her-her beauty?
determined to say nothing of what
Grace had told me, not to mention I
knew of her call at the studio. But I
would drop in at lunch time in a day
or two. I'd see for myself If my hap
piness was in danger from this Helen
Ralstrom.
Two days afterward I went into the
prise, Walter and Miss Ralstrom were
just going out. He introduced me,
then said:
"Harter just left his car for me.
Miss Ralstrom has posed all the morn
ing, so I told her I'd run her home.
You have come just in time to go with
U.S."
How nicei" returned quickly
Never shall I forget the look she
flashed at me of rage, disappointment,
hate. I had forestalled her by my
quickness.
1 climbed into the front seat beside
Walter, while she still frowning seated
herself in the tonneau. I turned oc-
neT,
and once or twice Walter spoke of the
scenery, calling her attention. We left
her at the door of a plain little house,
Walter telling her to come early the
next morning.
She scarcely noticed my polite fare
well, her eyes smoldering. 1t was evil
dent she hadn't forgiven me for put
ting in an appearance. But Walter
had noticed nothing. He said:
ST don't wonder Helen was quiet.
I've not let her rest a. moment all the
morning. She usually chatters lively
enough" Then. before could reply,
he added:
"Now wen take a spin all by our
lonesomesI Harter said to use the car
until and it isn't Q yet."
At this remark, uttered in a gay
voice, all my jealousy of Helen Raj
strom left me. Walter cared nothing
for her, she was just a model to him
not appeared he might have spent the
afternoon motoring with her. that sha
knew this and that it was the cause of
her anger.
ct must get a. car soon, Just a road
ster, or a coupe" Walter remarked as
he let the car out.
ooh, I wish you could! A roadster
would do, there are only two of us, and
We don't need a car to take our
friends. they nearly all own one"
That's right! and a roadster Is
oozy." he replied, then we talked but
motion OF George Harter's high-pow-
cred car. 1t was just 6 o'clock when
We drew up at the curb in front of the
studio and waited for George. I
thought he looked some way surprised
when he saw me. but concluded I had
imagined it-why should he?
(To be continued)