The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-28
Helen Hunters
Husband
FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO
THE FIRE.
BY JANE PHELPS



Chapter Sc.
IT was a pity that Layton and Jack
could not have talked together on this
matter of entertaining their respec-
tive wives, because Nell Layton en-
couraged Helen in her chase after
even caring suitably for her home.
This did not 50 much matter as
Helen now had a maid, a young girl
who cooked indifferently Well, ana
who cleared away in the same fash-
ion. Helen herself grew more 1ndo-
lent, less inclined to take any share or
responsibility, more addicted to, her
clubs and cards. She also had grown
more extravagant; that is as far as
her dress and entertainment Went al
tho they still lived in the same apart
ment.
The Laytons had moved long since
to the big new house several streets
distant, and it was cause for constant
complaint from Helen that they also
could not take an apartment in the
same building. But even she under
stood that landlords had to be paid
and in aGvap sSd e EentS wh haa theH
were had been raised third more.
Jack had never again tried to de-
ceive her in any way as to what ne
earned. He still had his commission
on the $4,000 of insurance in the
bank-she knew nothing of it-but to
it he had not added a cent His
money was spent before he earned it,
altho he was doing fairly we'll He
keep Helen happy goaded him on to
efforts that otherwise would have
been impossible TO him. Perhaps for
that reason her greed had not injured
him as it might.
But as time passed Jack Hunter
saw he had but jumped from the
frying pan into the fire. Instead of
helping Helen to grow and outgrow
her childishness he had, by humortng
her, made her more childish. Her
whims were impossible to guess; al
most as impossible to crafty!
She also resorted to tears now more
often than ever before. Nerves part
of the time, the constant excitement,
for her frail physique. Once when
fit of hysteria had followed Jacks
declaration that he could not afford
certain coat she coveted. he had
called a doctor who said:
your wife must take more rest.
She is in a very nervous condition.
Nothing really the matter, you under
stand. but she needs quiet and rest.
For day or two Helen did remain
quietly at home, lying on the couch,
reading the latest magazine of gossip,
then went about more than ever. She
was scarcely ever at home when Jack
came in; but would rush breathlessly
in about o'clock full of the doings
of the afternoon and her plans for
the evening. Jack, to the best of his
ability tried to join with her asking
questions that showed his interest in
her pleasures, saying nothing when
after losing at cards she would be
fretful and ilI-natured-only for
time. Her careless gayety could not
for long retain either disappointment
or anger 1t was not her nature.
Everything will come out all right I
sometime!" she used often to say.
why not laugh and be jolly"
often Jack laughed tout of the
wrong side of his mouths the say
ing runs, but that did not affect her
at all.
1t was strange but always before
Jack stalked that thought of divorce
that Helen might divorce him. 1t
made him almost fatuously easy with
her; afraid of offending her.
Perhaps had he known she smiled
to herself. figuratively patted herself
on the back because of the way she |
had handled him that time he tried
to punish her. it would have made no
difference. For in spite of her self
ishness, her lack of understanding as
to what real wifehood meant, Helen !
was at times a very lovable woman. |
Then she was so pretty and gay when
pleased; so quickly over her migranes. |
And Jack loved her!
We all look at this couple and that
one, wondering what they see in each |
other. Often we hear:
How could she have married |
him ?" Or What did he see in her?"
Certainly we could not have endured /
living with them under any circum- |
stances, yet they were seemingly per- |
fectly happy.
1t is a wise providence that man |
ages mortals so that all do not want |
the same type of man or woman as |
life companioBs-what hurdling |
over the marriage stile it would causei !
Tomorrow-Jack asks Helen to droP
Barnes.