The Topeka state journal., 1922-03-13
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN TELLS JACK SHE WANTS
NEW FURNITURE.
BY JANE PHELPS


Bring some money er take the con-
sequencesi'
/ Helen had said that as If she meant
I it. Well. suppose she did? What she
meant by consequences was that she
would borrow OF one of her woman
/ friends Let herl She had once be-
fore-of Mrs. Layton They all prob
ably urged her to play, let them tide
her over when she lost.
Jack hated debt. hated the thought
( of borrowing even when it seemed nee
essary- And to borrow for card
He would do the very best he could,
I try doubly hard to write policies. then
give Helen the money to repay Mrs.
Layton, or whoever Helen borrowed
OF. as quickly as was possible.
He worked with this thought in his
mind But luck seemed for the time
'being to have entirely deserted him.
His prospects would not be nailed
down to signing an application. to be-
ing examined. They were busy, or
not quite convinced, or-something
else What mattered the reason. He
could get no business
He drew a little on accout from
the obliging general agent with whom
he did his business; not enough to
give Helen any save for housekeep-
ing needs; that he must give her.
Hello. what makes you so late?"
she asked as he came in to dinner
Been writing another big poIicy?"
Not SOS you could notice itl' he
rephed gloomily. Helen was looking
particularly bright and animated. 1t
grated on him in the discouraged
mood he was in.
What do you mean? Haven't YOU
done anything again today?"
Not a damn thing!" The word
now frequently escaped Jack. and not
always with an apology, as at first.
II sort of gave vent to his feelings
mis- encouragement.
Wen, You are a fine insurance
agent! I'll bet Howard Dunn gets
plenty of business, and the other
agents too. When Helen was excited
she cared little about her speech, ''Tn
bet they don't go home day after day
with hard luck stories. Come on. LET'S
eat Dinner is almost cold now
All thru her little TRADE her voice
mad held its tone OF railIery. He al
most wished she would get angry. then
he could also. He felt angry-down
inside, aitho in justice to Helen, he
mad to admit he had no reason lust
She took her place at the table. talk
ing Of all the little happenings of the
day. either oblivious of his distress and
announcement; or not caring-prob-
ably the latter. Jack thought.
Mrs Layton came in this afternoon
Her husband has just been advanced
again. They are going to move neTt
month. She is so excited over 1t. They
are going to sell everything and fur
nlsh new How do envy herl What
from the table. You aren't listening
to a word / sayi''
I'm going TO heat up this coffee.
It's stone coId.''
tell you."'
As Jack resumed his seat after heat
ing the coffee, and looking with dis
gust upon the disordered kitchen, she
went on;
Now please listen, The Laytons
are going to sell every single thing
they own, and you know they have
some nice things. told her not to let |
a thing go until we took what we |
wanted That lovely livig room table |
and several other things are just what |
we need. She'll let us have them |
cheap, too. I suppose we've got to |
stay here until you get more business, |
out perhaps We can make it a little |
more attractive if we have some new
even If they aren't quite new-better |
things"
What we have IS good enough. and
our rooms are full enough now with
out getting in any more furniture" |
Jack replied.
II shall sell some Of our trash.''
You thought it good enough when |
we bought it,
Il never did. But IT was the best
we could do. But now that we are |
going with nice people. people who /
have things, we have to keep our end /
up"
I'VE can't buy anything now. Helen.
had to borrow of Drake, just enough
for your house money: ask an ad-
vance. and 1t isn't good business
We have got to have those things, /
won't let such chance slip thru my
fingers"
Then you'll have TO earn the money
10 pay for theml" Jack declared as he
rose from the table. hoping that would /
finish the discussion. yet knowing
down IN his heart that II would not
(Tomorrow-Jack finds out from
whom Helen borrowed.)