The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-04
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN EVADES JACKS
QUESTIONS.
BY JANE PHELPS


Chapter 60.
I'll be ready in a minute" Jack re-
turned when Helen urged him to
hurry. You sit down. I'll be right
outl" Yet he fingered unaccountably
over tidying himself.
Seated at the table he looked more
closely at Helen. She plainly showed
the strain she was under. Several times
he started to speak to her of Barnes,
but all he did was to wet his. lips, then
make some trite remark concerning
the food.
Dinner over Helen at once took the
paper and furtively glancing at him
commenced to read.
Finally Jack said:
Il see they haven't found the woman
who was with Barnes"
''No-do-you think they will?
Bound ton time." he replied,
hoping she would confide in him. 1t
would make it all so much easier for
them both.
You really thing SOP" Eagerness
and a sort of fear in her voice.
Yes. Helen, do you know anything
about this affair? Why did you want
to go to visit mother just now2'
a frightened look swept over
Helen's face
"Oh, thought as long as business
was slow it would be a good time to
visit her" she evaded.
rs that alI2"
Before she could reply the bell rang
Jack went to the door and admitted
Mr. and Mrs. Layton.
I'VE had to come over and see what
you thought of this Barnes affair."
Mr.. Layton said. His wife had told
him nothing of Helen, that she was
with Barnes. His manner was quite
natural. vet Helen looked question
ingly at Nell who shook her head
slightly, meaning to convey the knOwl-
edge that her husband knew nothing.
Helen looked relieved for a moment,
and settled herself to listen.
DO you think he is guilty?" Nell
asked looking at Jack.
4 don't know what to think about
the whole affair. never liked
Barnes, as you know, yet didn't think
him a crook"
Looks bad for HIM" Layton inter-
jected. They seem pretty sure he's
forged
They talked a while longer. then
Nell making an excuse that she wanted
to see a dress of Helen's the two wo-
men left the room.
Have you heard anything2" Helen
asked in a hurried whisper
Not a wSrd, but I'm frightened to
death every~time the bell rings Yet,
of course, we have nothing to fear
like YOU have. The most they can say
is that we knew him, were taken in
by him. 1 thought perhaps he would
try to communicate with you. It was
fortunate no one knew you at that
place. One paper said they had ques-
toned all the employees
"Oh. NellI Whatever shall do
think Jack suspects know something
about it. He was quizzing me when
you came. and he acts SO queer to-
night"
Il guess you imagine it. You're
awfully nervous and as pale as a
ghost. You'd better rouge a little.
But what are you going to do? Stay
here?"
I'm trying to get Jack to go on a
visit to his mother. 1 daren't leave
the house even to go TO market.
Some one who was at that dance place
it is dreadful can't believe he IS
guilty. He was so nice, and so sener-
GUS"
Easy enough to be generous with
other peoples money. I feel terribly
indignant to think he imposed upon
us. We introduced him to you, and
that makes me feel terribly
That wasn't your fault. You did
mt dream he wasn't just what he APP
peared to be- Helen was Just even in
If I had listened to Jack 1 wouldn't
be in this terrible position"
The Laytons soon lert, and once
more Jack cleared his throat. before
he said:
Helen. you didn't answer nav ques-
ton. Was n desire TO visit my mother
all you had in your mind when you
proposed going last night?''- He wait
ed a moment, then: Come. dear, tell
me what it all means? What do Won
know of this woman who was with
BarneS2 Who is that Mrs Brown
they are so anxious to find -
Instead of answering, Helen broke
into such a passion OF sobs that Jack
was frightened. And almost forget
ting his anxiety about her intimacy
with Barnes, his suspicious, he bent
it was long before she became calm.
The strain had been greater than he
imagined.
(Tomorrow-The way of the trans
gressor is hard.)
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