The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-24
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN RETURNS.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter So.

I CnapIer %.
/ Twelve o'clock came. Jack. worn
/ out with anxiety, anger and Bit of
| remorse, slept in his chair The hall
door quietly opened and Helen came
1 in. Without speaking she went into
her room, undressed and went to bed.
At four Jack Weakened, stiff. and
! cold Landlords in apartments like
the one he occupied do not give heat
I after a certain hour, and the room
Was cold.
stretched himself. My God! where
! can she be?'' A wild thought OF call
I ing Barnes came to him, but when he
I looked at the clock he gave it up, and
stifly walked to the bedroom. He
would not go down town in the morn
/ ing but would try TO locate Helen.
He switched on the lights, and an
/ exclamation of -amazement escaped
him AS sweetly as a child Helen was
sleeping, her cheek pillowed on her
hand.
When had she come in? At first
he was tempted to walzen her and de-
maud an explanation. Then he decided
to wait until morning to question her.
He was terribly cofh and tired SO he
tumbled into his own bed without dis
turbing her, and despite his worry fell
asleep almost Immediately.
1t was 9 o'clock when he awoke.
He looked toward Helen's bed, vacant,
altho he could see it had been slept in.
''She IS sorry, and has gone to get
breakfast, letting me sleep" he
thought as he jumped up.
Not even waiting to dress he went
to the kitchen. Helen was not there,
neither was she in the APARTMENT
Gone to get something for break
fast" he tried to assure himself as he
hurried to dress. a fear clutching his
heart.
He made coffee and drank it. He
had no feeling of hunger now. She
had evidently determined to leave
him. But why had she returned so
late the night before? Why had she
come back at all?
He went out and got morning pa
per, then did the work, after which he
sat down to wait. If she came back
he would be there, and this time not
asleep. But the long day wore on and
no Helen appeared. Dinner time came
and passed and. as he had the night
before he took up his vigil, this time
determined to remain awake no mat
ter how late she remained out.
He had called Mrs. Layton, also
Gertrude Langdon- Neither of them
had seen her. and both of them
scolded him for not attending the
party and taking Helen.
We stopped for you but you were
out" Mrs. Layton told him, I'VE were
sure you had gone on without us"
Jack gave her no satisfaction, and
then called Barnes apartment His
valet answered.
"Mr. Barnes is out. any message? %
.'No-no MESA ge-"
He was probably out with Helen.
oh, why had he grown so angry with
her? Why had he noe allowed her to
go to the party il she wanted to? Per-
haps he had driven her to something
far worse.
He flayed himself for hours, vet al
ways back in his mind was the feeling
that he could not have done differ
emily.
At IL o'clock the door opened and
Helen tripped in, her cheeks flushed,
her eyes bright. a half smile on her
lips.
''Helloi Kept awake tonight. didn't
you?"
Come here. Helen, rwant to talk
ing him Little she cared how he had
suffered.
I'm sleepy. You'll have to keep
what you want to say until morning.
Goodnight" and yawning. she went
into her room and closed the door,
He followed her.
I'VE must have this out-noWi" he
said sternly.
I'VE had it out, You locked me in.
1 locked you in You refuse me any
pleasure. I take IL where 1 can get it -
Where have you been all day. and
part OF last Qight?"
That's for you to find QUIT" And
she obstinately refused to answer a
single question. altho she hummed a
popular tune.
She is absolutely Irresponsible
Jack thought as he heard.
(Tomorrow-Helen puts Jack in the
wrongly