The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-02
Helen Hunters
Husband
JACK RESENTs THE Loss OF HIS
STUDY TIME.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 10

Chapter 10.
All the time Jack was washing the
dishes and Helen drying them she en-
tertained him with lively account of
the doings at the club.
There's a kitty, you know" she said
when he expressed surprise at the
hostess furnishing so elaborate tea,
land it must pay for the food, or
pretty nearly
Jack Hunter was really disturbed.
He frowned into silence. High stakes,
a kitty-Helen was really gambling.
He felt keen anxiety. He knew that
she couldn't always win, that when she
lost she would come to him to pay her
debts. How could he do it? He WON
dered if he could persuade Helen to
give up the club. Helplessiy he
shrugged his shoulders, for he knew
instinctively he could not.
Jack determined over and over to
have a serious talk with Helen-not
about the club, he realized that would
be vain, but in connection with his
duties outside and the work he tried
to do at home. She must be made to
realize she owed something to him,
that the homework for two could not
tire her, especially as the heavy wash
ing was put out. He couldn't keep up
if he had to work until bedtime every
night. Then, too, it gave him no time
for reading and study.
Lately Howard Dunn had written
several big policies. His commissions
had been large. But Howard wasSs41-
ways fresh, full of good spirits, while
he felt dragged and old.
There was much about the business.
too, he wished to learn. Often he had
no time to cad the Instructions given
the agents by the company. He dared
not take the middle of the day when
he might land a prospect" as he ex-
pressed it to Helen, and at night she
kept him nusy until he was too tired
to grasp what he read even when he
tried.
Helen continued to go to the club.
And on the days she went Jack ate a
cold dinner, prepared as best he could,
while she recounted her pleasure of
the afternoon and told of the tempt
ing dishes the hostess of the day had
provided. She had been rather a con-
sistent winner, aItho not again had
she won as much as on that first
afternoon. Eut SIS, So and $12 each
time had awakened a real gambling
spirit in her. She was almost a. fatal
list in 'her belief that she could not
lose. Yet she was becoming nervous,
developing a temper at variance with
the happy go-Iucky manner that had
been hers up to now.
When Jack spoke of her nervous
ness, blaming her devotion to cards
for it, she replied impatiently:
"If you would make enough so I
could have a maid like other people, I
wouldn't be nervous. I have to get
into a dirty street car when I go to
the c1ub-un1ess one of the ladies call
for me and"
How do you expect to go-in a
limousine?" Jack queried laughingly.
'If you were half as smart in bust
ness as Howard Dunn could have
car. Natalie Horton told me he wrote
hundred thousand dollar policy last
week, and that his commission was
enormous"
I'm not Howard Dunni He has
nothing to think OF but getting his
prospects into line. I give all my ex-
ira time to you, helping you. If you
would only be willing to attend to. the
house until I could get a bit further
satisfied. I not only did no better
business last MONTH didn't do as
well.''
you are just as smart as Howard.
Smarter as far as education goes. He
never went to college at all, and you
had year. If YOU would have little
more ambition I could have a maid
Not a limousine, perhaps, but a nice
little runabout. I'd look we'll in sports
clothes. driving it,
Don't indulge in pipe dreams,
Helen. Y on are trailing with women
whose husbands have more money
than I can make. 1t isn't fair to me
for you to become Disconnected I am
doing the very best I can under the
circumstances
'Nonsense! You are as smart as
Howard Dunn 1 tell you. IF he can
write big policies, so can you if you
try. You don't try hard enough, and
you are toe easily discouraged. Well,
let's get at the dishes if you expect me
to wipe them. Mrs. Layton and I are
going to the picture show tonight
her husband is away and knew you
wouldn't want to CO."
No, don't want to- go. I'll read
until you came home"
Don't forget the pan under the ice
box. and be sure to- put out the milk
bottle. There she is noWi" as the bell
rang. you'll have to do the dishes
alone. Goodbye" She held up her
face for a kiss
(Tomorrow-Jack worries over
Helen's dissatisfaction
Mr.. McNab latter having his lease
read over to him)-''I will not sign
that; I have ma been able tae keep