The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-07
Chapters From a
Woman 5 Life
BY JANE PHELPS

Chapter 2.
Our apartment was only five-room
one, but when we were ready to move
in Claire said she never would have
believed it could be so lovely. Not that
Walter had been extravagant, he had
not. Simple furniture of lovely lines.
soft rugs that made background for
the walls tinted a lighter shade,
chintzes of faded colors in quaint or
unusual designs. sofa pillows that har-
monized yet gave an air OF elegance,
mot a Earring note anywhere
UNLESS it is in the kitchen" 1
laughingly told Claire. Il furnished
| that and the maids ROOM Walter did
the rest"
1T shall look for an artist when I
get ready to marry" she returned.
saves one a lot of trouble.
had nice young girl for q maid;
Rather pretty Jennie was-Walter had
warned me not to hire an ugly one,
saying it spoiled his appetite to have a
homely woman wait upon him. SO
bad shopped around in the intelligence
offices until I found one L thought
wouldn't prevent him eating. Jennie
was a dark-haired, dark-eyed Irish
girl about rs years old, slim, and when
dressed in her maids costume, looked
almost pretty From the moment che
saw Walter she was his slave NO task
was too combining, too hard, If it was
to be done for Mr.. Page" After
she had been with us about month
heard her tell a girl who was calling
on her:
be. But him! You just ought to see
him! He's that handsome, and always
got a gay word for me. It's lucky I
am TO git such a place"
Indeed you are, Jennie! Only two
in the family too"
"I wouldn't care how many they
was if they was all like him.
turned away, smiling. Even the
servants saw Walters attraction. No
wonder 1 loved him.
suppose I had better tell a bit
more of myself. was just %. rather
tall with bI~wn hair and eyes, clear
skin, and for the rest. a nose, mouth
and SO on. Walter said once whan
had on a particularly becoming dress
that I had just escaped being a beauty.
I laughed, but I was a little hurt
too-not at what he said, but because
he never had suggested painting mo.
he intended to, but he seemed to have
forgotten it, and my pride would not
allow me to remind him.
Among the people 1 met were Mr..
and Mrs. Harter. Grace Harter
seemed to want to be friends with me
at once. She was older than 1 and
had known Walter for a long time. In
spite of my liking for her, either she
or Walter would occasionally allude to
something that gave me an uneasy
feelipg-a feeling that they had been
more intimate than I had realized
George Harter- did not quite like
son. He was too silky, too oily, said
to Walter when he asked me why I
didn't like George.
ct wouldn't trust him, and I don't
believe Grace lis happy with him. She
isn't natural when he's around. Her
gayety seems forced"
Don't get notions into that little
head of yours" he replied lightly.
''You and Grace used to be awfully
good friends, didn't you?" I asked,
and was surprised to see him flush
redly.
yes, was rather beau of hers at
one time. We are about the same
age, were in the same set. But she
married Harter and married you"
"I like her, and yet someway have
a feeling she is holding something
hack-that she isn't quite frank"
Nonsense! Don't dissect people,
Doreen. Take them as they seem to
be. Grace is a good sort. Shed do
anything, go any length for one she
liked. Pm not so crazy over Harter
either. but you can't be friends with
the wife and snub the husband"
Claire Gordon did not like Grace
Harter and didn't hesitate to say so.
She was a raving beauty a few
years ago, so everyone says. Was
painted by all the artists. She's hand
either her or her husband Perhaps
I should be sorry for her. George
Harter has the reputation of neglect
ing her shamefuIly-of preferring the
society of other and younger women"
"Oh, that would be terriblei" 1 ex-
claimed. How can she bear it?''
81 guess women have to bear a lot
Of things sometimes" Claire senten-
tiously replied.
(To be continued.)