The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-08
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN ASKS JACK FOR MONEY.
BY JANE PHELPS

OndpLer %.
Jack slept almost the entire time
the picture was showing. Desperately
he tried to keep his eyes open. But
the wakeful night he had passed, the
disheartening day, had worn him out.
At first Helen nudged him when his
head would nod but finally she be-
came engrossed in the picture and let
him sleep.
Did you enjoy it?" he asked as
they walked home.
.'Of course I did, So would you if
you have kept awake. One would
think you as old as Methuselah."
without waiting for a reply she
launched into a detailed description of
the picture, that lasted until they
reached home.
While she was taking off her things
Jack went into the kitchen to empty
the pan under the ice box. The room
was in disorder, the breakfast things
unwashed. With a shudder of disgust,
he emptied the pan, then started the
hot water running on the dishes. .-t
What in the world are you doing :?
I thought you wanted to get to bed %
Helen called.
II can't get up to this place If you
won't do the work shall have to. I
suppose"
Nonsense. Come to bed. I'll do
it in the morning.' She was perfectly
good-natured, yet Jack 'gritted his
teeth together as he continued to clean
away the remnants of the morning
meal.
He was angry. hurt, discouraged.
Had he been of a different mold he
would have insisted that Helen take
her share of responsibility--do her
afraid of losing her love. was so fear
full he would not make her happy,
keep her cOntented, that he allowed
her to ride rough shod over him.
He made many good resolutions. but
ike those we make at the beginning of
the new year, he made them mostly
to break them the next day.
1t was after midnight when he fin
ished. Helen was sleeping as sweetly
as child, half smile on her pretty
face. But tonight the smile did not
intrigue. He turned away with
scowl.
Get up. Jack. I have the incest
breakfast ready for your" Helen called
the next morning: He had slept
heavily, and it was late.
Cakes and sausage! How NIGEL" he
said as he sat down, "but I thought
there was nothing in the house. Have
you been ,ut this early?''
"Of course not! I wanted to go out
last night. If I had let you know L
had sausage in the house you would
have insisted upon staying home. Isn't
1t good?' unconcerned as ever.
"rll tell the world it isl" Yet some
way lAG CahGS QlO IIOI seem quite So
light, the sausage quite so tasty, the
syrup quite so sweet. 1t was nothing
to Helen that he had been tired, she
had deliberately lied so that he would
take her out.
All thru breakfast she chartered
gayly. She was like a glass of soda
water-e ffervescent.
81 must have some money, Jack"
you'll have to wait until I earn it,
dear. I can't spare a cent
hRuf IFS R1llh daW's
Another dinnerless night, was Jacks
first thought.
cant help it. dear"
81 hate to give an 1. o. Z. if lose"
mot half as badly as I hate it. Stay
at home today" His voice took on
a pleading tone.
And be fined besides losing all the
fun, and the lovely tea? The idea,'
How much do they fine you?"
"a dollar
Better stay at home and pay It.
Anyway no matter how much wanted
to give you money I couldn't! I can't
seem TO nail a single prospect. I've
worked hard, too"
well. I -shan't stay at home. I'll
trust 10 luck to win. If I lose I'll
pretend I forgot to put my money in
my good purse"
(Tomorrow-Jack makes and keeps a
threat.)