The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-04
Helen Hunters
Husband
JACK MEETS A GAY DIvoRCEE
BY JANE PHELPS

JACK MEETS A GAY DIVORCEE
Chapter SO.
Helen was dressed to go out. Jack
was a bit out of breath due to running
up the stairs, ami she spoke first
Hurry and get dressed, JACK. We
are invited out
'fWhere-and u
Mrs. Langdon's.'
''Whc's she?" regardless of Ian
guage.
zone of the club women. a widow
or grass widow. She has, a lovely
week, and tonight she is giving a lit
tie dinner-an impromptu affair"
at should say it was if the others
she invited didn't know it any sooner
than did"
We'll, hurryi" Jack had not yet
taken off his coat.
IT don't think I can go, Helen"
Jack said slowly. 81 couldn't work
last night, end if I do not get this
work done on time they may not give
ME any more.
ut wasn't my fault you couldn't
work last night If you had stayed
home instead of incoming around the
streets, you'd had it finished. Come.
hurry Dinner is at 1880, and it's
after 6 o'clock now She tugged at
his coat.
will it be a late affair?' Jack
asked. All the good feeling he had
come nome naQ disappeared he
had intended to spend the evening
talking to Helen about their affairs,
trying to make her see the necessity
for saving, and finishing the work he
had not been able to do the night
before.
you've knocked all my plans into
a cooked hat" he said to Helen. Are
you so keen on going to this din
ner?''
"Of course I am! And you may as
T4TnI al g n inn c,r-
ready here" She half dragged, half
led him into the bedroom where she
had his things laid out on the bed.
See what a thoughtful wife I am"
she said as she hurried him.
Where does this Mrs. Langdon
live?'' Jack asked as he pulled at
a refractory tie.
''It takes about half an hour to get
there. Wen have to have a taxi. you
wasted so much time talking instead
of hurrying into your clothes. We
might have gone in the street car if
you had hurried"
I'VE can't afford a taxi. Helen.
We'd better be few minutes late.''
''Too bad about you! And we can't
be late for a dinner. A man who
makes the commissions you do saying
he can't afford a taxi-it's ridicu-
lousl" That she had spent the COM
missions seemed to mean absolutely
nothing to her.
Jack groaned inwardly. What was
the use, Well, he was young too.
he liked good times as well as Helen
did. He had tried to be saving and
careful, to do right by her, and get
a start in life, but if she wouldn't
let him-why let her take the conse-
quences.
1t was in this mood, so different
from the one he came home in, that
Jack Hunter finished dressing, while
Helen, looking charming in one of
her new gowns, telephoned for a taxi
'pust like one of the 40OrS Jack
muttered.
Gertrude Langdon was a gay di-
vorcee with money of her own, as
well as a monthly alimony to add to
her income. She lived in a fashion
were delightfully."- furnished. She met
Jack very 'chummily." That was the
only word he could think of, he after
ward told Helen. She gushed over
Helen complimented her on her APP
pearance, told Jack he'd better look
out or someone would steal his lovely
wife, and in every way made him
feel she had taken him into the
fold as she called the crowd as
Jack could scarcely analyze his
feelings. He was always a bit re-
served with strangers, both men and
women. This this gay, well dressed
woman, this woman who lived SO
DSttCA IMAM Iielen ana ne could.
should be so gushing embarrassed
him. He wished one moment that
he had not come; the next he was
glad he had.
Mrs. Langdon introduced him to
about ten others. Helen knew nearly
all of them. Among the party was
the ubiquitous Barnes, and the Law
tons.
1T Is fine to see you come out of
your shell at last, Mr.. Hunter" Nell
Layton said, as she greeted him. fell
ing Helen she had feared they weren't
coming.
And surprise," Horace Barnes.
who was standing near, said in a pc
cul.ar tone.
(To be continued.)