The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-08
Helen Hunters
Husband
A NEW SUIT.
BY JANE PHELPS

Chapter Is
After the monthly bills were paid,
the rent in advance, and pair of
shoes bought for himself, Jack gave
Helen all but the spending money he
must have to get about with He told
her:
BE careful with it. dear. 1t may be
some time before 1 land another big
prospect"
Nonsense! Now that you have
started you'll do all right! 1 can get
a dress and a hat and some other
things I need; white gloVes-all the
women I know wear white kid, and
1 have been sticking to black because
they don't have to be cleaned"
Better stick little longer. Honey.
Don't get carried away with the idea
that we are millionaires just because
L had one good month" Yet even
as he spoke Jack Hunter was imbued
with the idea that he had turned the
corner at last. He was naturally op-
timistic; and inclined to discount fu-
ture difficulties because of present
success.
He said nothing of his own need of
a new suit. He would get that later.
1t was Helen who brought the subject
up.
Mrs. Layton is giving a party. Jack,
and she has invited u.s. Helen said at
breakfast.
I'm glad my dinner coat looks de-
You can't wear it! She particularly
told me not to have you dress. She
said the men would all be in business
clothes. 1t isn't a dressy affair."
MY suit is pretty shabby"
badly enough"
4 can't Helen! That is unless you
can give back enough
THE idea! 1 shall have hardly
enough, TO get what need. Have it
charged and pay next month. Your
tailor will trust you"
mo, dear! 0 shall not run in debt
for clothes My business is too uncer
tain. Then if 1 do get money 1 dislike
tremendously to owe it all"
But you can't go in that old shiny
suit L want to wear the new after
noon dress ordered, and everyone will
| look nice even if they don't dress. You
| must get the suit" The stubborn
| look he so dreaded came into her face.
Men not half as clever as you are
| keep their families well, and look nice
| themselves. I won't be mortified by
| having you look shabby Howard
| Dunn is going, and Mr.. and Mrs. Hor
| ton, and several other couples, all
good dressers."
81 shall wear what I have or stay
| at home" There was finality in
Jacks voice. He would not fight Hell
en- about her expenditures more than
was absolutely necessary, but for him.
self he would not be coerced. 81 am
doing all I can-and more"
'If you really loved me you
wouldn't embarrass me before my
| friends" Tears were in her voice.
I'D rather be dead than live in the
halK way fashion you seem to like"
1T don't like it, Helen, any better
i than you do. But, dear, why be I'M
happy over little things? And we are
long time dead, dear" Jack replied
O vi h1Tf wit nf CAV afxyi IL,
his heart. Then too, I shall lose my
| evenings work-perhaps I could be
excused
Perhaps you couldn't! They are
all sorry for me now because you
| never take me anywhere. 1 hate to
be pitied!" She burst into tears and
ran from the room, slamming the
| door. Jack followed her. He hated
so to see her unhappy. to see her cry.
He tried, but he could not bring him
self to ignore her outburst.
He could not quiet her, however,
until he had promised to get a new
suit, ready-made one, SO that he
could make good appearance at the
party.
. He felt he was making a mistake /;
making things harder for the future.
| Yet when she chung to him reiterating
! her love for him, her pride in him.
| ne held her closely in his arms, and
thought that hard work. debts, moth
ing mattered so he had her love. And
satisfied her.
| He bought the suit, and she was en-
thusiastic in her praise of his appear
| ance.
You are awfully handsome when
you are well groomed, jack I shall
be So proud of you at the party" she
said when he tried it on for her bene-
fit.
(Tomorrow-Helen plans to entertain
| the Bridge club.)