The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-15
Chapters From a
Won7a an s Life
CHAPTER 9.
BY JANE PHELPS


We had not been'married long before
I learned that little things, insignifi-
cant to me, often made Walter cross
and impatient. I was very careful
that his meals should be well ordered
and cooked, and daintily served.
paid great attention to my table, al
ways having a fresh centerpiece OF
Iow-groW1ng flowers. When first mar
ried I had bought some tall blooms,
and he had been terribly annoyed,
said child would know better than
to put stalks on a table as a decora-
ton.
One day Grace Harter was with me
when he flew up about something.
She laughed, then said:
Poor Doreeni You would marry
an artist, my dear, and now you have
to live with the artistic temperament!
but for thati We quarreled too often,
didn't we, Walter?"
Seems to me remember you did,
he drawled.
love, Doreen, to every pretty girl or
woman he saw. Once he left me
standing in the street while he chased
a girl because her hair happened to
be a wonderful black. I was furious,
wouldn't speak to him when he came
back to me. He caught the girl, tho.
got her to come to his studio, and
painted her.
JnOuSnC OF the way he had found
Helen Ralstrom, as she went gayly
kon:
IT tell you, Doreen, I DON'T envy
you, even if Walter is the handsomest
man I know. He's delightful to flirt
with; but God deliver me from living
"Oh. shut up, Grace!' Walter broke
in impolitely.
cant bear to hear himself called
names, can hep" Grace returned
Some day 1 shall tell Doreen a lot of
things know about you I'll have to
spend the day with you, Doreen-"
do you know SO much? I did not
know you were so very intimate"
felt disliked Grace more than ever
Haven't / just told you I'd have
married him if he hadn't had SO much
temperament? It's the one thing /
believe should be womans perquisite.
Men have no right to it,"
Grace looked particularly charming
that day; Walter had told her so at
once.
''You hold your looks wonderfully,
Grace. I'm almost tempted to ask you
to sit for me once more"
THANK you'll love to have my
age limited at. Soon you'll be telling
me I'm 'well-preseryed' or something
equally obnoxious BY the way,
Doreen who did Walt buy that road
ster for, you or his blonde model?
I've never happened to see you in it
with him but I've seen her several
tines
Walter looked angriIy at her, then
again told her to shut up" adding:
"Doreen doesn't understand your
nonsense, Grace
You haven't answered my question,
Doreen. I wasn't talking TO youi'' she
sauciIy told Walter.
Walter fidgeted, muttered:
"God deliver US from our supposed
friends then settled back in his chair
with a comical air of resignation, as I
replied:
''Walter bought the car for our
pleasure and for convenience, Grace.
If he cares to run Miss Ralstrom home
after she's been posing for hours,
cont see why Tor anyone else Should
object.' But as I said 1t I was torn
with jealousy. She had seen them to-
gether often.
That's the way to talk, Doreen,
Give it to heri" Walter said gleeful1y
as he blew a cloud or smoke in
Grace's direction.
some day." 1 went quietly on ZINE
car rides beautifully. Were going to
spend the day in the country Sunday,
take our luncheon and stay all day."
ooh, how lovely! Suppose George
and 1 go too We might take Claire
Gordon along and have real party"
"Great idea Gracei" Walter an
swered. Wen start about O'Clock,
go down Oyster Bay way and picnic
in the woods
could have cried. why hal
mentioned our plan, the day we we're
to have alone in the country. The
thought that Claire would go vas a
in the day would be gone with Grace,s
along with her caustic tongue. George
with his half yelled love-making.
(To be continued-)