The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-06
Helen Hunters
Husband
HELEN BECOMES ILL AT A
DAE1uyV
BY ZANE PHELPS

Chapter 81.
AS Horace Barnes said. it was a sur
prise to see Jack Hunter. He, at
least, had not expected him.
BARNES would have preferred I had
not come Jack said to himself. now
glad he had allowed Helen to per-
~An find your places at the table,
the hostess remarked. You're to be
my escort, Mr.. Hunter she slipped
her hand thru Jacks arm.
Look out, Hunter, she's the worst
yanlp in town." Mr. Layton called
from across the room. Jack only
smiled and tried to look pleased. Per-
haps If Helen saw other women
thoght him worth while she would
pains to make him and his home
Ali thru the dinner Gertrude Lang
don clatted and laughed with Hun
ter, to the exclusion of the man on her
left. At first Jack answered in mono
syllables, then as the dinner pro-
crossed he warmed up, feeling of
reckiessness coming over him. What
did it matter?s Why not enjoy him
self Helen was flirting outrageous
ly with Barnes-or it looked so to
Jack. He could ntrt too. he'd show
her.
1t was gay party the gayety in
creased by a punch which Barnes de-
at Helen, trying to caution her by his
glance. Neither of them ever drank
anything, and as he saw Helen raise
her glass and take just sip of the
punch he tried to warn her. Barnes
saw him plainly, altho Helen did not.
He spoke, looking directly at Hunter:
ITO our hostess! Everyone must
surely drink to her.
Helen drank with the rest, while
Jack simply raised his glass without
touching his lips to it. Helen had
only taken a very little of the punch
altho from where Jack sat he could
not see this.
The dinner over they, danced and
played cards. Conversation, save at
table, seemed to be a lost are among
Helen's friends 1t was after midnight
when Helen expressed a desire to go
home.
'I have dreadful headache" she,
explained when they declared she
would break up the party, 1.-The rest
of you don't have to go because do
While he was really enjoying him
self in way, Jack was glad to go.
He was tired, his emotional reactions
of the last few days; his feeling of
bewilderment, almost abuse because
of HeIen's extravaganza, all combined
to make him feel he needed sleep
and rest
81 tried to tell you not to drink that
punch,' Jack said as he put a cold
cloth on her head.
1T guess I'm not going to be stiff
and spoil the fun. II one goes to par
ties they have to do as the others doi''
Il had nothing to drink, Helen I
wish you would promise me not to
take anything again. Il
"Oh, stop talking! My head is just
bursting, Can't you go to the drug
store and get me something?"
Without a word lack mt on his coat
and went out. He sighed as he closed
the hall door. Now that the excite
ment was over all his old WEAKNESS
returned, exaggerated.
Then too he was really worried
about Helen'S actions. While he was
nothing of a sport, he knew well that
when people drank, even a little-es-
pecially when not accustomed to it
they said and did things they would
never think of doing or saying otherA
wise. He was not overly pleased with
some of HeIen's friends. He hated to
think she might grow like them.
He got some powders the druggist |
and hurried back Helen |
was still groaning, and after she had |
taken one he helped her to bed
81 shan't go to that affair Barnes
IS going to give neither shall Helen |
he said to himself before he slept. ut |
will be another party of the same |
kind, and we can't stand the pace"
In the morning Helen was pale and |
anquid. She drank the coffee he pre- |
pared, and then, as he was about to |
eave, called:
wen go somewhere for dinner to-
night. I'll stay in bed until I feel bet /
Ter, then meet you down town"
'I'l, come home and if you aren't
feeling well enough to get dinner, |
will. or wen go to that little restaurant
around the corner. I'm very tired and |
want to get to bed early"
what an old stogy you are"
Tomorrow day in bed restores
Helen.)