The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-24
Helen Hunters
Husband
JACK KEEPS ms SUCCESS FROM
HELEN.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter %.

Chapter 90.
Jack hunted up Howard Dunn an6
borrowed $40 and sent it to Helen SO
that she would have it by noon. He
/ almost groancd aloud as he handed IL
to the messenger boy. 1t was such q
waste of money, and added to that was
his dislike of having Helen gamble
Yet he could not help feeling a ntsle
thrill of admiration as he thought or
how well she haG played thesnight
before.
she had them all skinned a mile!'
he muttered.
That day Jack wrote a rather good
sized policy. He was delighted. as the
man had been going away and had in
sisted upon being examined at once.
He was voted good risk. ana Jack
was elated.
Helen will be awfully pleased" he
soliloquized as he started for home.
Hanging on to a strap in the crowded
STA sm- 1t was encouraging to get a
good policy once in a while.
! He let himself in. with his latch
key. His success had crowded out the
thought of the club, Helen's losses, OF
the $40 he had had to borrow. The
unIighted flat brought memory.
She's going to be late tonight" he
said aloud Then he went into the
kitchen. He had not stopped for lun-
cheon, so anxious had he been to have
everything attended 90 before the man
he insured got away. He was sud
denly very hungry.
Just as Re had put the Kettle on to
boil. and commenced to pare the po-
tatoes. the telephone rang:
Hello. jack" it was Helen's voice.
Yes. Helen"
do you mind If don't come home
70 dinner? Mr. Layton is away and
Mr.. Barnes Is going to take Nell TO
dinner and to dance and they have
asked me. Isn't 1t lovely OF them?
i'Nell says perhaps you will join us"
| mo, thank you'll I've had a hard
day and am too tired to tog up-un-
less l could come just as L am" 4
wistful note crept into his voice.
! oh no. Jack! Why, 1 should be
don't sit up, 1 shall probably be Late
He heard the click of the receiver as
Helen hung UP, and altho he pes
| tered central for several minutes he
| could not get her back.
| Unfortunately, he did not know
where the club was meeting that at
! ternoon, or if Helen were still there.
There was nothing he could do, he
couldn't find them if ne dressed and
tried. So with a sigh he returned to
the kitchen, put the pan of potatoes
away, made some strong coffee, and
made dinner from the odds and ends
in the ice box. All suddenly his hun
ger had left him.
He thought of his good news as he
smoked his pipe after he cleared
everything up. And with the thought
came a bitterness toward Helen he
never before had felt.
She was out with Barnes dancing.
having gay time while he sat alone
lonely for some one to enthuss with
him over his good fortune
Il won't tell her about what I did
today. She'll only want to spend 1t for
clothes to wear out with other peo-
plel" he said aloud. jealousy stirring
within him for the first time since his
marriage.
Before Jack Hunter married Helen.
he had been inclined to feel jealous OF
her. But no such thought had en-
tered his mind since. She was his
wife. and he trusted her. But that
Barnes was devilisn good looking
fellow, he unused, and Helen was
young and fond of gayety. u
i TN have to spruce up and take her
y out more" he finally said. But 1
shan't tell her of my luck today. I'll
just start a little bank account with
that commission, and pay the bills
out of the other business that comes
in. She doesn't deserve to know
about it, he added, feeling bit guilty
at keeping it feom her.
At IL o'clock he went to bed. It
was when Helen came in. and when
she saw he was awake she retailed
her evening with great gusto:
I'VE had the incest time and the
| loveliest dinner. Mr.. Barnes spends
money like a prince! And he looks
stunning in dinner clothes-reaiIy
handsome and distinguished" a
Jack answered her pleasantly
enough, but under his breath he said.
and meant il:
Damn Barnes"
| (Tomorrow--Roses bring unhappy
| thoughts)
/