The Topeka state journal., 1922-02-27
Helen Hunters
Husband
JACK MAKES A FAUX PAS.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 81.

OldpL0T
| Friday night came and with it,
Howard Dunn. Helen greeted him cor
daily and he seemed very pleased to
see her again. She had taken great
pains with the dinner, and jack was
very proud of her easy manner.
! "A born hostess" he said to himself,
figuratively Shaping himself on the
back, as the saying is, when one is
satisfied they have done a, wise thing.
He surely had been lucky in his choice
If only he could earn eonugh to
| satisfy her.
! Helen looked very dainty as she sat
| at the headl of the table. She had
put on dress a bit low in the neck
and without sleeves. After a bit the
| talk, as it will when two men in the
same line get together, turned upon
| insurance.
your husband turned a neat trick
the other day when he landed old
Turnbun for that big policy. Several
of the boys have tried to get him and
have failed"
"Yes?" Helen said nochalantly,
| darting a keen glance at Jack who
had flushed uncomfortably.
HE will not get many such policies
these hard times, none of us do. SO
forgive him if he crows little over
| this one"
'T certainly SHALT" There was a
hard tone in Helen's voice that Jack
| had learned to dread. She didn't look
quite SO ATTRACTIVE to him. he felt
little of his pride in her ebbing.
Dunn changed the subject, and
| talked WITH Helen of the plays she
had seen, ct cetera, while Jack figited
and thought:
why didn't I warn Dunn about
speaking of TurnbulTs policy? I wish
[ hadn't asked him up to dinner. A
nice mess I have made of things! I'll
catch it after he goes" and a lot more
things uncompli1nentary to himself
1t was about 10 o'clock when Dunn
left, after promising Helen to come
again soon.
Indeed, I shall come every time
you ask me-" he said with q smile.
AN old bach, appreciates such dim
ners I can tell you"
"Show that you do by coming
often" Helen beamed upon him.
Thinks she'll find about about my
business thru him. Jack said to him
self as he heard her reply.
The door closed after their guest.
Now for the dishes!" Jack said
quickly. Perhaps she hadn't taken i'll
what Dunn had said as completely as
he feared.
Wen talk a little while first"
Helen said in that tone he dreaded.
Il want to know about that Turnbull
policy. How much was it for?''
Fifteen thousand" Jack did not
of doing anything to find out.
r "How many more have you written
that you haven't told me about?"
mot one!"
"Why didn't you tell me of that
one?"
Because you insist upon spending
every cent 1 can rake and scrape, 1 am
worried half to death when I think Of
what would happen if L were ILL.,"
You look healthy enough" she
spoke sarcastica1ly, her lips pressed
together.
Il did it for your sake, banked it so
we'd have a penny for a rainy day."
mean to make it so, but habit is
strong, and that had been his way
with Helen.
MY sakei Scrimping me. making
me go without things other women
have, boarding your money, then try
ing to get out of it by saying you do
it for my sake! L want my share of
that commission"
Il intended you to have your share.
I have been overworking for weeks,
Helen. Can't you see that if I have a
little in the bank I shall be able to do
better work because my mind will be
easier. and I won't feel compelled to
do night work. Look at it sensibly.
dear. A dollar in his bank is the best
friend a/man can have"
"We'll do the dishes now" Helen
said abruptly, and she didn't refer to
the matter.
Jack wondered if her silence argued
good or i'll. He didn't like her express
sion. All the softness had gone out
of her face. But he couldn't help a |
feeling of relief that she had dropped
the subject, if only temporarily.
(Tomorrow-Helen discusses charge |
accounts.)