The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-21
Helen Hunters
Husband
A NIGHT OF ANXIETY AND ANGER
BY JANE PHELPS

Chapter SO.
If Helen was unhappy Jaclzswas even
more so. AS she continued sobbing
and, in spite Of locked doors. the
sounds reached him. he had all he
could do to keep from going to her.
Perhaps she would be willing to
give in now" he muttered, then
glanced at the clock, just striking ten.
No, there was still time enough to
sure it would be a very late affair,
probably last until morning.
The telephone shrilly interrupted his
thoughts.
''Hello.' he called.
"Helloi Is this you, Hunter? This
is Barnes. Aren't you and Mrs. Hunter
coming? Been looking for you ever
since the Laytons arrived"
mo, we aren't coming
If you don't feel like enjoying your
self with US, can't 1 send a car for
Mrs. Hunter?''
No, you cannot" grimIy Jack an
swered. Mrs. Hunfar has retired
she's not ill?" A note Of anxiety
in Barnes voice.
NO! Goodnight Jack hung up the
receiver, and when 10 minutes later it
rang again he paid no attention, altho
Helen called out that she wanted to
answer it, if he did not intend to. The
constant ringing, prolonged, had made
at least Jack Imagined this was SO
from her anxiety to answer it.
If Helen was doomed to pass a mis-
.erable night, she might have comfort
ed herself with the thought that Jack
also was far from being either happy
or comfortable. He tried to sleep, but
found it impossible, so he read or
walked the floor, or somberly smoked
his pipe. He dreaded yet was anxious
for the morning. Helen might make
good threat
He tried to make himself believe he
would get along all right if she did,
that being divorced would be no worse
than living in the constant worry he
now lived in from day to day. That
he would then be free to pursue his
work, attend to business, perhaps
make something of himself
He failed utterly.
Jack Hunter loved his careless.
pleasure-Ioving wife with all his
strength. She had driven him almost
desperate by her actions and this last
this borrowing money of the man
who had aroused his jealousy, a man
whom Helen seemed to be anxious to
please and whose company she enjoyed
had been the last straw. There is
always a last straw you know.
Divorce him.
AS the long night gradually faded
thought persisted. "Divorce him.
Marry Barnes the rich man, the
man who could give her all the things
she craved-the things he, Jack Hun
ter, had denied her!
He thought. with regret of the com
mission he had banked. OF his deceit
in letting her think the policy was for
only $1,000, when it was for $4,000.
Four times as much. He had COM
missions for $4,000 safely put away,
and with good luck she need never
know of it. If they were i'll, either of
them, they now had little nest egg
started. But he might have bought
her some of the things she craved
with it; might have given her the
money for her card debts, then she
wouldn't have told Barnes of them;
and he would not have offered her
money-offeEed his wife-Jack Hun
ter's wife, money!
He clinched his hands as he stood
by the window watching the coming
day. Damn Barnes!' he said aloud
more than once.
At his usual rising hour he softly
unlocked the bedroom door, then went
to the kitchen and started breakfast
then as usual hurried his bath to finish
it in time.
He made coffee, toast, and scram-
bIed some eggs. Helen liked them
better than plain boiled ones. He fixed
grapefruit, then went to the door
and listened. Not a sound,
He opened it. His wife was fast
asleep, but her red and swollen face
betrayed her sleepless night, her anger.
Jack arranged the tempting breakfast
daintily on a tray and stood over her.
Wake up, dear! Here's your break
fasti'' So quickly did she open her
eyes Jack saw she had been shamming
sleep, and with one sweep of her arm.
floor, all that did not land on him.
(Tom orrow-Ti for tat)