The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-10
Helen Hunters
Husband
JACKS PLAN OF PUNISHMENT
FAILS
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER Al.

CHAPTER Al.
A good dinner, altho very plain,
eaten, and followed by a cigar, Jack $
spirits rose. He would make a good
job of it while he vas about it! Helen
, should see he could be firm with her.
He had been too easy going. 1t was
failing he had, and with Helen it
had grown greater. He did so hate a.
row. But he had started, and she
might as well learn he meant what he
said-from now on.
He threw out his chest as he walked
along. He felt very inch man, and
the head of his house. He passed a
otion picture house. cheap one
He jingled the change in his pocket
a moment, then decided to go in. He
couldn't walk the streets for an hour
or two, and he had no where else TO
go. He was not club man. couldn't
afford to be, he thought bitterly.
The picture hardly kept his atten-
ton, but the place was warm and he
was comfortable. 1t was nearly 10
O'Clock when he followed the crowd
out into the street.
Il guess she won't stay at that club
much later than this!" he said to him
self as he looked at his watch.
Someway he suddenly felt a desire
to hurry, to get home. The street cars
were slow. He jumped off and took
the nearest subway Helen might be
worried, might THINK something haQ
happened to him.
He let himself in quietly 1t was
almost II, and Helen might be asleep.
If she was he wouldn't disturb her.
She was always tired when she had
been at the club, tired and excited.
He heard murmuring voices, someone
was with her. Suppose she were ill
the doctor!
A light laugh treasured him, and
he opened the living room door, then
Horace Barnes were sitting opposite
each other at a card table playing
rum.
Hello" she said, glancing up for
just a moment, then after Barnes had
risen and shaken hands, she went on,
OH should have been with US, Jack!
We have had the loveliest time. Mr..
Barnes took me ta the quaintest place
for dinner, and it was just perfect. 1t
was an Hawaiian place, and so coy
and dear. 1 don't know when I have
had such a delightful evening"
Il am sure I am much pleased"
Jack said stiffly.
TOO bad you couldn't have been
with us, Hunter" Barnes said. II
suppose you were writing one of those
cracking big policies you have the
habit of Keeling off"
mo, but I should like to write one
the spur of the moment. the words
coming almost of their own volition.
''Oh, what funl Make him take a
big one, Jack, and promises me may
have every cent of the commission"
81 don't have to promise that. You
Jack.
"Get out your papers and write the
policy" Helen urged. But suddenly I
Jack d69 not like the idea of making
money thru Barnes, even tho it were |
in a perfectly legitimate way.
'If Mr.. Barnes wants insurance |
will see him down town. Now IL you |
two will excuse me, I'm going to bed. |
I'm tiredi" he added briefly.
Certainly, Hunter, don't mind me- /
I was just saying ! ought to go as !
you came in
ut is pretty late" Jack said taking
out his watch and impolitely winding /
it. Goodnight" and he left the room. /
But not before he had seen the angry
light in Helen's eyes. He knew sae !
was angry because he had limited it I
was time for Barnes to go.
His little attempt at asserting his /
had failed. Worse. 1t
had given Helen a chance to spend /
long evening alone with Barnes. and /
he couldn't say a. word: They had
tried to find him-probably didn't /
want to-he, thought, and he had been
in a dingy restaurant eating a plain
little dinner while they were feasting |
in some smart place.
whats the usei' he said to him
self as ne had said so many times De-
fore. Whats the use. Everything I
try to do goes wrong" He lighted a
cigar, switched on the lights in the |
bedroom, took the evening paper from
his pocket and tried to read. But the /
hum of voices from the other room
disturbed him. He found himself lis
tening, trying to discover what they
found to talk about after being to-
Eether all the evening. The clock
struck r. He heard a movement in |
the other room, the voices grew
louder, then he heard Barnes bid Hell
en- good night and he was gone.
High time tool" Jack said aloud.
CTomorroH-Helen shows Jack her
account book-l