The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-17
Helen Hunters
Husband
BY JANE PHELPS
no THE KNIFE.

~
The day following, Helen was per-
hapS a bit more quiet than as usual,
yet she was not in the least unpleasant.
And Jack, worn out with thinking,
grasped at the peaceful atmosphere as
a relief. He had not finished talking
with Helen, but was vacillating-al-
way had been where she was con-
cerned
The next night was the night set for
Barnes's party. Jack really had for
gotten it, SO disturbed had he been in
his mind with the occurrences of the
last few days; added to his indecision
as to what he should do as regarded
telling Helen of the big policy he had
written. The man had passed a per-
feet examination, and it only remained
now to deliver the policy and get his
check. He would then be not only
clear of what he had had advanced,
than he had had before-at any one
time.
They had just finished dinner. when
Helen spoke:
Don't forget tomorrow night,
Jack"
Tomorrow night = what? - Sud
denly he recalled what night it was.
What about it 90 he asked gruffiy.
Mr.. Barnse's party of course!"
I'VE are not going
Now don't be horrid and refuse to
go with me, Jack. You know I always
have a better time when you are
along" her tone wheedling-
Il said we weren't going"
II am going whether you do or not.
You are queer man, Jack. You re-
fuse to go with me, then complain if I
go alone. I'm too young to shut my
self up even if you want to. I'm sorry
when you won't go with me-" she
spoke the truth. But I see no reason
to make a hermit out of myself be-
cause you like a hermit's life
TN take you anywhere else you
SD 20 n
town and go to a theater. Would
that please you ?"
TT would please me to know where
you got the money to go to dinner and
the theater." She nailed him with her
eyes.
81 wrote a small policy; shall get
the money tomorrow after-after-
noon" He would put it as late as
possible. 1t would give him more
time to decide whether he would con-
fess the full amount or not.
"A small policy-how much ?" she
produced the little account book that
had angered Jack.
Five thousand It was that-even
il it were more, he eased his con-
science
Every well. you will have-let me
see" She figured his exact commits
sions. after she had inquired the de-
There! Aren't you proud of my bust
ness ability" she laughed.
mo, not at all. 1t is not enough to
be SO gleeful over. We owe a lot"
81 must have some slippers for to-
morrow night"
II said we weren't going
and I said we were
Jack set his lips firmly together, but
no more firmly than did Helen.
1t was wari War to the knife.
Neither, however, mentioned the
subject again. Helen spent her time
for the remainder of the evening with
pencil and paper figuring what she
should do with the commission he was
to receive on the morrow. If truth
must be told, Jack spent his sulking,
and worrying d bit over the deception
he had just practiced. If ever Helen
found him out she never again would
believe him-never try to help him.
The next day Jack went round in
sort of haze. He was trying to think
how he could circumvent Helen's
plans without too much fuss. He called
the house. He would ask her if there
was any play she preferred, then get
the tickets.
There was no answer, altho he
tried three times.
she's gone for those slippers she
talked about-another BILL" he NUT
tered to himself when for the last
time he left the telephone booth. I'll
go home early
1t was only little after wher. he
went up the stairs to his apartment
AS he opened the door he heard Helen
humming a gay little tune and as he
she was trying on a pair of white satin
slippers.
(Tomorrow-Where there's a will
there's way