The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-23
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN MISSING,
BY JANE PHELPS

HELEN MISSING.
Chapter So.
Helen heard the hall door close.
and crept to the window. Holding
the shade so she could just see at the
side. she watched Jack call a taxi,
and jump in.
Taxi this morning." she exclaimed
in surprise. Must be a big policy
he's after. I'll get my share, or I'll
know the reason whyi" she looked
ruefully at the mess on the floor.
II hope he left me some coffee."
she muttered as she slipped on her
mules and sought the kitchen.
haQf full. Lighting the stove she
heated it, and made herself some
toast. Then she bathed and dressed,
not clearing away either the debris or
the breakfast Jack had brought her,
or that in the kitchen
It'll give him a lessoni He can't
treat me like that and get away with
it," she said aloud, admiring herself
in the glass. She had taken great
pains with her toilet, and all traces of
Either obliterated by the ice with
which she had rubbed her cheeks, or
the aid of powder and rouge. so with
a last approving glance at her reflec-
ton, she finally left the house.
And such a house! Even her bed
was unmade!
But such trifles never worried Hell
en- at any time and now she had
staged her play. Jack was TO be
punished.
His business attended to, Jack made
no effort to get any new business
He had a bite of lunch. then spent
the remainder of the afternoon in
his office. thinking. His anger had
died away. Now only the problem
remained. Would Helen leave him
because of what he had done, or
would she be penitent. ready to con-
cede his rights as man and hus-
band?
He recalled the infection of her
voice when she refused to open the
door, and knew she had not kept her
anger to the extent she felt II when
he took her her breakfast. Perhaps
bv this time she was sorry, ready to
make up and promise TO be good
Not Vet did Jack feel any regret for
what he had done. He had been
forced to act.
OF his apartment. He had stopped at
the fruiterers. and had brought sew
eral kinds of fruit with him. he hau
also bought a nice thick steak.
Helen had provided the dinner. or II
il were on the stove. the steak would
keep for the next day. But he was
hungry, no breakfast, very light
lunch, do not keep even an angry !
man from being hungry.
All was quiet in the apartment HAD
Helen kent her word and remained |
locked in her room all day just 10 |
spite him. She had said the door
should remain locked the same NUM-
Der of hours as it had been when he
locked her in the night before. He |
smiled at her chiidishness- Punish
ing herself by staying in that small
room all day Just to spite him what (
4 child she was after all!
He deposited his parcels on the DIM |
ng room table. switched on the lights.
hen went quietly toward the bed
COON. To his surprise the knob /
turned. and the door opened
Helen he said. not loudly, think
ne she might be asleep, worn out |
with her emotion of the night. No
answer came. and as he turned on
he light he saw the room was unoc-
,upied, and disordered. /
He called, he looked in the bath
-oom the living ROOM No Helen
his lips grinnly he took in the
rooms, the evidences of her
street toilet, looked in the closet to see
what she wore. then sat down to think
t over.
Had she left him, Was this her
'irst move toward getting a divorce?
She could claim cruelty because of his
ocking her in, and perhaps would.
Finally thru force of habit. Jack COM
nenced to tidy the bedroom, then the
ime he had finished it was O'Clock.
He made coffee. and cut off a piece
II the steak and broiled it. surprised
o find himself hungry in spite of his
anxiety. He had thought of calling
he Layton's and others to inquire il
Helen was with them. But what good
would it do? She wouldn't return4
lome unless she wished to even if he
lid locate her.
Perhaps she's with Barnes," he
aid aloud. and the thought brought
"a ok all his jealous anger. He moved
o the telephone. He'd find out! But
10 hung up the receiver without Civ
nE any number. He didn't dare call
she might be there.
(TomorroH-Helen returns.)