The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-24
Chapters From a
Woman s Life
WALTER BRINGS MISS RAIsTRoM
HOME.
BY JANE PHELPS

Chapter IT.
| Walter was not as particular about
getting home promptly as was the
case when his mother first came; and
Grace Harter was once again the one
who told me why. She said:
TITS a disgrace the way you stay
at home and let Walter run around
the country with that Ralstrom girl. >
Ride around, you mean, don't
you ?" asked, trying to speak lightly.
had mistrusted he was with her, but
doubt is one thing; certainty, another.
I was proud. I would not let Grace
Harter, a woman who acknowledged
she once had thought of marrying
Walter, see I was jealous.
Whats the difference! I declare,
Doreen, you're the most accommodate
ing wife ever knew. That girls too
attractive. When it's too late you'll
wake up"
eff he went with you-or Claire.
there wouldn't be SO much danger?" 1
had purposely stressed the you
'Claire's safe! 1 don't know about
me. But he's not with me. He's with
that Ralstrom girl. He's an artist,
Qoreen, and he sees her only with his
artist eyes. / don't trust her. Doreen-
There's something slipky about her"
That was just the word to express
laughed at Grace, told her she was
jealous if 1 wasn't, and declared 1
really was more Jealous of her than
of Helen.
you're not sIinky, Grace, but you're
suave,' Il told her. "And think it the
more dangerous quality
"All right! I've warned you" she
said when she left. Your unhappi-
ness be on your own head"
Soon after this conversation Walter
did not come in to dinner.
Have you telephoned the studio ?"
his mother asked, much to my sur
prise.
'tNo-he always leaves by five"
II should call and see if 4 were you.
don't approve of a man being absent
from his home at meal-time," she said.
1T is a bad habit"
She seldom criticised Walter and 1
telephone. Could she have heard
Grace and me talking? Had she heard
any rumors? She had one or two old
friends in town whom she called upon.
AS expected 1 got no reply.
iii doesn't answer" Central said
after ringing some time.
Hes not at the studio,' I said.
Wed better nave our dinner. He
may be late"
every wei" she replied coldly. Yet
I noticed she looked worried ali thru
the meal; and she made scarcely no
response to my attempts at converse
ton.
We sat in the living room, she with
O'Clock struck, then ten, and IL. I'm
less she was out for the evening she
always retired at that time, but she
still sat on
car; then, after a moment the elevator
stopped. 1t was Walter perhaps.
The door bell rang-he always let
himself in with the key. I hurried to
let him in, thinking he had forgotten
it. 1 fell back gasping. He was white
as a sheet and was supporting Helen
Ralstrom, who seemed in fatntine
condition.
Don't ask questions. Doreen. Had
an accident. Help me get Helen on
to the couch
without a word I did as he asked,
and together wsrcarried her into the
living room. AS we entered the door
1 heard his mutter: 1.-The Mater!"
and knew he was annoyed she was up,
that she saw him.
Mrs. Page never spoke until we had
laid Helen on the couch, and had re-
moved her hat and coat. Then she
said:
Walter, please explain"
There's nothing to explain. l had
a slight accident, Miss Ralstrom has
sprained her ankle think. She faint
her home / brought her hereH' He
had taken off her shoes while he talk
ed. please call the doctor. Doreen."
You call him, Walter. I'll re-
move her stocking and put on a cold
compress until he comes He flashed
me a grateful look but his mother sat
in stony silence, disapproval in every
line of her aristocratic face.
Its long past your usual time to |
retire." 1 told her. cit isn't necessary |
for you toCwait. I can attend to Miss
She had cried out when /
took off her stocking but now lay quiet |
her eyes closed. Yet I had a feeling |
that she was watching me.
81 shall remain Mrs. Page said, |
and strangely I was glad. I did not
want to be alone with them-not just