The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-01
Helen Hunters
Husband
JACK WONDERS AT HELEN'S
ACTIONS
BY JANE PHELPS


Chapter so.
TremblingIy Helen crouched in the
corner of the cab. Was it, could it
be true? Horace Barnes, the man
who had tried to make love to her;
whom she had allowed to be her es-
cort even when keeping it from Jack,
a forger-a common crook. She
couldn't believe it. There was some
mistake.
But suppose it were all truel All
the money he had spent upon her, all
he had spent entertaining their gay
crowd had been stolen. Forgery was
stealing-really. What would she do
if they ever connected her with the
Mrs. Brown they were looking for?
Thankfully she remembered it had
been their first and only appearance
in that particular tea-room- If they
had gone where they were known
how terrible it would have been! She
probably would be in jail too.
When the taxi stopped at her door,
she looked guiltily up and down the
street before she alighted, half ex-
pecting to see an officer waiting to
arrest her. But everything was quiet,
so she quickly paid the driver and
rushed into the house.
Never had her little apartment
looked so attractive as it did then
1t was a sanctuary. a hiding place.
She threw herself into chair, then
nervously paced the Moor. Would
At last she arrived with all the
/ latest editions of the papers Helen
almost snatched them from her
There was little that was different
from what she had already read, save
that one paper put more stress upon
finding the mysterious Mrs. Brown,
limiting broadly that she might also
have been implicated in the forgeries.
How awful" she exclaimed.
You'd better lay low for a time,
Helen. Its a pity you haven't some
relative you could visit Then: do
you suppose he'll tell, or that they
will hunt up the people he has been
going with-an of US, thinking TO
trace Mrs. Brown in that way? Ny.
who could have believed it of him.
''And Jack doesn't know I've been
dancing with him! What will he say?
I'll swear until I am black in the face
Nora's day Off so she can't give me
away"
Nell tried to comfort Helen, but to
tell the truth she was a good deal dis
turbed herself. She and her husband
had introduced Barnes, all in good
faith, but perhaps they would not be
believed if he mentioned them, or if
the police found out he visited them:
anxious to talk with her husband she
telephoned him from Helen's to come
home as early as possible.
You can talk to Mr.. Layton, but I
way. If 1 do he will mistrust some
thing. He never liked Horace you
know" Helen said as Nell Layton
left her
When Jack came into dinner he
brought the evening papers.
II never trusted Barnes he said
when he found that Helen knew of his
arrest I'm not very much surprised
It's awful! Perfectly awful" Hell
en- responded, then feared to say too
much so changed the subject.
Are you awfully busy now, Jack?
Any big business in sight?"
NO why? Business is rotten! I
intended to tell you so, and to ask
spending too much money lately. All
this gadding about is expensive
Il know it is. Wen stay at home
for a while il you like"
lighted. I haven't read a book or a
magazine in ages. But what's the
matter? Aren't you well?'
Yes. just a little tired, that's ALL"
And by Jove, you look it! hadn't
noticed, but you're as white as a sheet.
Shall get the doctor?"
mo indeed! I am only tired"
Several times during the evening
Jack glanced at his wife. She was
so very quiet and pale. He would get
the doctor the first thing in the morn
ing if she didn't feel better. Just be-
fore retiring she surprised him by
asking.
eff business is dull, couldn't we
make your mother a little visit? If
you can afford the fareS?"
why, yes, we might. It's a good
idea. I have felt sorry not to have
you know mother. Yes, III try to ar
range it,
Alone Jack sat in puzzled thought.
What had happened to make Helen
suggest a visit she had always before
refused to make?
(To be continued.)