The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-25
Helen Hunters
Husband
LIFE IN A BOARDING HOUSE.
BY JANE PHELPS


AAA4 Il ~ - ASN<1AhOA4%sA AAOOSE<s
Chapter 3.
Mrs Ardmore had settled in a dingy
East Side street where the proximity
of the elevated railroad made rents
fairly reasonable. Yet she continually
complained of them.
How can poor woman make any
thing and pay such rents?" she asked
SO often that even her own daughter
finally told her:
DO shut up about the rents.
mother. Talking about them won't
help any"
Counting Helen was not as pleasant
now as it had been in the environment.
in which he had met her. The front
parlor was kept for all the guests, and
altho it was the most unpleas ant room
in an unpleasant house, it was in
variably occupied by two or more of
the boarders4 1t was impossible to
talk of private matters in such an en-
vironment. Sc after an uncomfortable
half hour, or hour, as the case might
be, Jack would urge Helen to go for
walk. and would make love to her
in the unseeing street or, If they felt
like walking. farther afield on some
park bench.
III soon be earning 500 a month
Jack boosted on one of these occa-
sions. They had found a bench in a
sheltered nook, and with his arm
about her waist Jack painted in glow
ing colors the happiness that would
soon be theirs.
Helen's mother was a rarely keen
wss for Helen. She had INDUCED her
only child in every way in her power.
She had denied herself ever since
Helen was born that Helen might
have what she wanted. Mother-like,
she did not realize that she was MAX
future hard for her-she only knew
her daughter was all she lived for.
Mrs. Ardmore was not an educated
woman, but her shrewdness had stood
for education many times. She had
always made a comfortable living, al.
ways KEEP. Helen in school, and if any
thing a bit better dressed than her
classmates whose people were far bet
ter off financially. AS result, Helen
had an exaggerated ego, a love for
luxury unsupported by Jack Hunter,
and a desire to emulate the daughters
of wealth that was unhealthy in the
extreme.
She was optimistic. She believed
Jack would soon be making the big
money he talked about-talked about
far more glibly than circumstances
warranted. He had been absolutely ig-
norant of the business he had decided
to enter. not because he had any real
it, but because it was something he
thought he could do without the pre-
limindry training needed in other lines
and so would make it possible to
marry Helen sooner than he otherwise
could. That he lacked the per-
sonality useful in compelling peo-
pie to want what they did not
want, he did not consider. 1t was
a way-a quick way to Helen, was
all he thought.
To Jack Hunter New York brought
no thrill. It was but a bedlam Of life
and sound. The hurry pedestrians.
the numberless motor cars-it seemed
as tho every one but him must have
one-the stages and numbering street
cars only held so many prospects, p"
people who were to be insured so he
could get the commissions and marry
Helen.
Yet he had a slumbering affection
for it all. 1t was here he was to live
and make his fortune SO he could give
Helen everything she wanted. Youth
and hig hhope rode with him, were
his. companions.
Helen grew more bewitching as the
days passed. The difficulty he ex-
perienced in being alone with her but
whetted his appetite. 1t spurred him
on to do his best. Yet at times when,
after plodding all day, walking or
street-car riding. he interviewed men
only TO De dSlQR WITH
refusal, or a more definite "see you
some other time" which he knew was
only q way of letting him down easy,
he became almost discouraged.
But never did he allow Helen to see
him III this mood When with her he
was always optimistic, always going to
land" this or that prospect soon. And
she, knowing absolutely nothing CT
business, believed it only a matter of
a short time when Jack, her Jack"
would be able to make enough so Mrs.
Ardmore would give her consent to
their marriage.
81 like you all right, Jack" the
mother used to say. but I want my
girl to be happy. You'll perhaps get
on like you say, but don't be in e,
hurry. You're living with us where
you can see her every day. Just De
contented until you earn at least
enough to do as much for her as
do"
His enthusiasm dampened, he would
agree with Helen's mother. She was
right. He wanted Helen to have
things, but it was hard waiting-per-
haps harder than if they had been
separated
Tomorrow u Jack makes haste
slowly