The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-12
Helen Hunters
Husband
NELL LAYTON LABELS JACk
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter So.


Chapter So.
Jack kept his word as far as saving
nothing. against occasional card
parties, even joining with apparent
zest IN the game. But he had grown
careless of Helen's pleasure again. 1t
Is so easy to slip back into an old
ma bit, especially when it is a selfishly
enjoyed one.
once again he forgot Helen's youth.
her love of gayety. He was perfectly
happy, perfectly contented to sit quiet
~ and read six nights out of the seven
me seventh he would play cards until
midnight either at home, or with the
Laytons- Somehow Helen seemed to
have dropped all the rest of her crowd.
Jack had that idea-not that they had
dropped Helen because she had so
constantly refused their Invitations
had not returned their courtesies. and
without complaining, or even telling
him.
It was Nell Layton who gave him
rather a shock. She came in one
evening alone, her husband at his
club. Helen left her with Jack a mo-
ment, and she blurted out:
What are you trying to do to Helen,
Jack Hunter? Punish her still be-
cause of Barnes
What do you mean, NelI?" Jack
jerked to attention, Il don't under.
stand.'
How often have you taken that poor
child to a theater or a concert in the
last six months. since she came back,
or even to a movie2 1 was telling her
about a play we saw the other night,
and asked her what she had seen, and
she said she hadn't been out at all
And tears were in her eyes altho she
tried to hide them from me. 1 never
was SO sorry for anyone in my life.
told Mr. Layton to get three ticket
for that new musical show, and we
would take her"
Jack looked dazed. Had Helen com
planned to Nell Layton? He flushed
with shame. Nell read his thought
and said:
Don't think Helen has complained.
She HASN'T Just said, when 1 asked
why you never went anywhere nova
days, that you preferred to stay at
home and read. For hard-boiled self
ishness give me a man every time.
No woman could be as absolutely self
centered as men are, no matter what
she did,
you're pretty hard on US. Nell.
But I guess deserve it. | wish you
wouldn't tell Helen you talked to me:
I guess 1 have been thoughtless and
selfish"
II don't guess you have. I knowl
Helen is such a dear. and since that
affair of Barnes-she was as innocent
of wrong as a baby and you know it
she has worked herself to death to
please you, and save money. Why the
poor child doesn't even laugh any
more like she used to. That gay little
want to laugh with her has absolutely |
died because she hasn't anything in |
her life but a sameness that never |
provokes laughter"
Thank you, Nell! You've talked |
pretty rough to me, but 1 am grateful! |
I never realized''-Jack broke off as
Helen appeared in the door with a |
steaming rarebit-
While they ate and Nell ehatted. |
jack watched Helen. He noted the [
absence of that infectious laugh. He
also saw the dropping mouth, the lack |
of sparkle in her eyes. He had not |
meant to be cruel, but evidently he
had been.
what new shows have you seen
lately, Nell ?" he asked after a time, /
keenly watching HeIen's face.
ION, several!'' She named them.
How would you like to see The |
and was both shocked and surprised |
at the way she received his sugges-
ton. 1t was as If she had only just |
met him. and his invitation was so |
unexpected it embarrassed her Her
face flushed crimson, her lips trep4-
bIed. She dropped her eyes SO he |
could not see the longing CLEAN in
them.
IF it would please you" she replied
without animation.
No amount of talking by Nell could
have brought to him such knowledge
of his SeIfishness as had Helen's man
ner when he asked her how she would |
like to see the play. Six months be-
fore she would have danced around |
to him; thrown her arms around his
neck, told him she must get new
gloves to look nice, and a dozen other
little actions to show her delight. Now
it was only:
IF it would please you
you'll love it. Helen." Nell Layton
broke in to Jacks relief. but she also
cast a ct told you So glance at him.
III get tickets for tomorrow night"
he answered her glance with an un-
look.
(Tomorrow-Lone1in changes
Helen's nature.)