The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-06
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN AND JACK SUDDENLY
LEAVE TOWN
BY JANE PHELPS


Helen meekly accepted Jacks ulti-
matum, after he had more thoroly
made her understand his attitude. If
she thought him hard she did not say
so. She was too glad TO have told
him, to know he was going to help
her.
she murmured to herself before she
slept. and over again in her mind she
listed the things she would do, those
she would refrain from doing, if he
would forgive, and believe her. She
might not have been SO contrite had
she known Jacks real feelings, yet
she had been so worried, so fright
ened, that even then she might have
been willing to promise anything to
get relief
Long after she slept Jack sat in the
living ROOM thinking He had been
hard, almost cruel, yet perhaps from
this terrible muddle, this close escape
from scandal and nOtoriety, he might
be able to build a new life, q happ1-
ness they never had experienced.
Poor childi" he said softly as he
looked at his sleeping wife Poor lit
tie thing! But Wen be happy yet,
sweetheart"
This crisis had come Just when he
was getting almost reckless because of
his discourag cement, his fear that
Helen never would give him a chance
to make anything of himself because
OIL ner constant OGIldnuS upon hAIn
Hope once more came TO him. the al
most forgotten hope with which he
had first faced married life-the hope
for happiness, and comfortable living;
a home and perhaps after a time,
children.
His lips moved in a silent prayer.
His longing was 50 great, his fear that
perhaps his seeming cruelty would de-
feat the end he sought.
Its my only chance" was his last
411orr erf7~ faafr he tor E7a
I'VE will take the noon train for
the west. I'll meet you at the station.
You'd better take a taxi" he said to
Helen. "and you won't need any party
Mother lives on a small farm, you
know. and she will like you to dress
plainly-ss becomes our station"
Very well, do you think it is safe
for me-to go out?"
yes, I don't think they connect
you with Barnes-yet.'' He must not
let her feeft too assured of escape from
the results of her foolishness.
At IL O'Clock. Helen dressed very
plainly, and yelled, was at the station
brought all the papers. She had
feared TO buy them. She might not
be able to hide her interest, her
anxiety.
Seated in the train she almost
snatched them from him:
What do they say?" she whispered.
Read the papers, and see for your
self"
The headlines. had given way to
some newer scandal, yet the Barnes
case" still occupied a prominent place
on the front page. There was interest
in it, a man passing for a rich man.
evidently gentleman, guilty of
forgery. was not forgotten by the pub
lie in two or three days. One paper
said;
NO new developments have oc-
CURED Barnes says the Mrs. Brown
who accompanied him to the tea
dansant was a new acquaintance
who knew nothing of him; he moth
ing of her save that she danced
well. As there is considerable free
dom at these places, he is probably
telling the truth and she was but
chance acquaintance However,
the police hope to locate her"
Helen shivered as she read the last
sentence. She turned such an anxious,
forlorn little face to Jack that he
smiled encouragingIy. and said:
Don't worry about it any more /
think they will gradually drop the
search for the woman
DO you really2" cheered at once.
"oh, Jack, What an escaped And you
will give me another trial?' She
snuggled closer.
''If you keep your promises. every
one" he returned as sternly as he
could. Then left her alone while he
smoked
Just as il ever will want to do
anything I shouldn't again. I shall be
a regular stupid old woman after
this!" Helen muttered as she watched
him so toward the smoking car. Sup
pose he hadn't believed me, and had
divorces me all on account of a
forger2'' She shivered at the thought.
To lose Jack! That she couldn't en-
dure. She had been a bad wife. but
she would show him how good she
could be. And she hadn't meant to
be bad
(Tomorrow-Helen learns of her
mother-in-law.)