The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-15
Helen Hunters
Husband
MARRIAGE A MATTER OF GIVE
AND TAKE
BY JANE PHELPS

MARRIAGE A NATTER OF GIVE
AND TAKE.
Chapter 70.
As We have seen Jack Hunter was
not a tactful man. He wanted to do
rlght by Helen-always had wanted
TO. His mistakes had been those of
the head instead of the heart; just
as the mistakes of Helen had been.
He loved her as she loved him, vet it
would be hard to find a more r1iser-
able couple than they were at this
time.
Finally he determined to 'have it
I OUT as he said to himself, and so he
remarked to Helen:
Helen, I want you to forgive me.
and commence all over again, We
thought we were to have a second
honeymoon when you returned from
mothers, but it hasn't turned out to
be a very happy one. has it, dear -
As she did not reply, he went on: ST
am solely to blame. 1 took away all
you had of pleasure in your life and
gave you nothing to take it's place. You
have been great! You have kept every
promise, and more. But you aren't
happy-neither am I, because you are
not. From tonight we are going to
turn over new leaf. We will have
the home we are saving for, sometime,
we will do all We have planned. but
we Will also live during the interval.
o,
neither will we make hermits of our
tselves as We have been doing. We
will see the new plays. We will go
out-together, dear, enjoy ourselves.
You must see your women friends,
have them here, visit them. 1 am
doing well now. My business is very
good. Nora shall come back You
can cook for me. but I don't want you
to spend your life in the kitchen.
And
But don't understand, Jack. I
thought you wanted to live as we have
been living, that you"
you've got another think coming.
Helen. We are young. We must have
enjoyment, ] shall rust out. If We go
on like this" He would take all the
ame-if there were blams-on him
self. Il want some life and fun about
mel feel almost afraid to laugh
aloud we have grown SO serious and
so staid. You don't look as bright and
up-and-coming as you might either.
Well turn about face and take the
first to one extreme, then to another.
Neither have worked very well, dear.
Do you think we are too old to try
again?''
Were not old Jack, altho I have
felt-oh, so old and sad for months -
81 know, dear! I've been all wrong.
Will you forgive me ?" He took her
in his arms and together they sobbed
out their love, their renewed trust and
faith. That night was the first happy
night Helen had known since Barnes
had been arrested. and the happiest
one Jack ever had known. He realized
for the first time that Helen had her
rights, her claim on him, his duty to
her. Before he had imagined he I'M
derstood what that duty had been-to
give her her own unbridled way. But
now he understood that she must give,
he must also give. That marriage was
a give and take arrangement, not a
one-sided affair in which one could
say:
will be happy" But in which both
must give way; and pulling together
work out their salvation.
Things do not change for US at once.
Neither did they for Jack and Helen.
existed between them, a thoro
knowledge of each others love and
Willingness to do each their part,
gradually life assumed a joyous as
pect. Helen recovered her gay spirits,
shorn of her foolishness, and Jack
gave up his selfish ideas for their mu-
tuaI happiness. They went about, en-
tertained their friends simply, and
were entertained in return. They saw
all the good shows, attended lectures
and concerts. And they also saved as
much as was compatible with what
Jack earned.
Two years passed. Happy years as
a whole. The small house in the
suburbs was now a reality. They
were living in it, three of them. Jack,
Jr. was happy. healthy boy three
months old, and Helen was a busy
wife and mother. happy as the day
was long. Jack an indulgent hus-
band and father. The neighbors said:
"I never saw such a couple! They
seem to be absolutely happy with each
other, yet they each have mind of
their own and don't hesitate to express
it. She's such gay little body, and
he seems so proud of her. He takes
her everywhere. One would think
them bride and groom to see them to-
gether."
You see their third honeymoon had
been a lasting one because it had
been buiIded on the rocks of mutual
understanding, faith and love.
THE END.