The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-22
Helen Hunters
Husband
BY JANE PHELPS
BY JANE PHELPS
TIT FOR TAT.
CHAPTER ST.

Too angry to speak, Jack turned
and left the room. The hot coffee
had scalded him bit. the scrambled
eggs had streaked down his trousers.
The tray and broken dishes mixed
with the remnants of the breakfast
lay on the floor.
In the kitchen he poured himself a
cup of coffee. trembling hands MAX
ing him slop it on the floor as he
drank it. standing.
Never in all his life had he been so
angry, not even the night before when
he learned that Helen intended to at
tend Barnes's party after the letter he
had written returning his money. He
blamed Barnes for this last outra-
geous conduct on her part. She was so
angry because she couldn't be with
him, that she had not cared what she
did.
had steadied him a bit. He had to get
another pair of trousers, and they
were in the closet in the bedroom. He
hated the thought of going after them.
Finally he walked determinedly to the
door.
It was locked on the insidel-, This
time he was the one to beg.
open the door, Helen. am late
now, and 1 must get my trousers.
You spilled your breakfast over these.
Hurry and let me in. 1 have an APP
pointment at 10 o'elocks and it is al
most novl" He had wasted half
an hour regaining his temper.
What do I care for your appoint
Inentsi I shall not unlock the door.
Not if you stay there all day"
Jack realized Helen was having her
revenge, at least in part, for what he
had done to her. But the case was al
together different! How could he
earn money for her If he failed to
keep his appointIn ents2s Prospects
were a ticklish sort If You failed to
see them on appointments ten to one
you never saw them = So putting all
thought of pride aside Jack pleaded.
This is a good prospect, Helen.
may land enough to make it worth
while, to give you some of the things
you want. But hurry, dear. 1 shall
have to rush now to make it."
No answer.
do you hear. Helen ?"
q I'm not deaf"
Aren't you going to unlock that
when as many hours have passed
as since you locked ton the other
pleasant. cor until you leave the
house. and I telephone my friends
and tell them of your cruel conduct"
Jack swore! A ripping laugh was
all the response he got, q laugh that
reused his anger to fighting pitch.
Nice thing marriage had turned out
to be,
\ In the bathroom he worked over
the stained trousers. Finally he d1ew
them on again. damp and smeared as
they were. He would see his man,
keep his appointment, then go TO a
tailor and have his trousers cleaned
while he waited.
He rushed out of the house, without
speaking to Helen again, called a taxi
to take him to the subway. and an
other when he reached his station. He
was five minutes late for his appoint
ment, but caught his man in good hui
NOR, and wrote a policy for $4,000.
won't Helen be. pleAsedr' was his
first thought. So earnestly had he
been talking, so fixed was his mind
upon the business in hand that he
had, for the moment forgotten their
quarrel, the manner in which he had
left home.
Never mindi I'll salt half of this,
and take out that insurance for her.
If she does as she threatens, I'll
transfer it to mother"
Jack had long contemplated taking
insurance for Helen. But up to now
had not been able 10, or was fearful
he could not pay the premiums
So he was examined, passed per-
fectly, and while Helen was pouting,
plotting at home. he arranged for her
to have something in case anything
happened to him.
Later I'll add to it, he told the
examining physician
(Tomorrow-HeIen missingi)