The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-14
From a
Woman s Life
BY JANE PHELPS


A few days after my visit to the
studio Walter was very late for dinner,
something quite unusual for him, as
he never worked late in the afternoon.
It was nearly s o'clock when he came
in, the dinner quite spoiled.
where in the world have you been,
dear?' asked. Dinner won't be fit
to eat" 1t was a glorious night in
dinner.
81 drove Helen home, and it was so
wonderful 1 took a run into the coun-
try
'.AIl alone?'
"Of course noti took Helen, then
let her at home. The country is glor-
iously beautiful just now; we must
take a long ride Sunday, take our
luncheon and stay all day. Now let's
eati Pm starved"
This was Walters gay inconsequen-
tial way 1t was the natural thing for
him. He had taken someone else rid;
ing; it had been a lovely night, and he
had remained out never thinking that
his vito was waiting; that I might
have enjoyed a ride. Then, just as
carelessly, he planned a nice long day
with me. 1t always disarmed me
when he did a thing like this; he GER
tainly couldn't care anything for any
one else and be so quickly interested
in doing something with me. So altho
I felt resentful, I only said:
Don't you think I would have en-
for a ride tonight"
I'm too tired to drive any more to-
night. Been running the car since 4
o'clock. It's a bird!''
put dinner on. She had been put out
because it was late, had looked and
acted disagreeable. But the moment
Walter spoke to her she frightened.
He had way no woman seemed able
to resist, when he was undisturbed.
The dinner wasn't good. but he
found no fault, and bantered Jennie a.
little about spelling her chance to go
out with her beau. She blushed and
smiled and told him it didn't matter,
she could go out another evening. I
felt like shaking her. Before he came
in she had twice reminded me that it
was her night off.
Claire came in about 9 o'clock.
'I had the blues so thought I'd run
over and deposit them on your door
step, or your piano. she said laugh
ing:
Walter said.
TT seems to work with you two
perhaps I'll try it some day after I
have observed you a little longer. A
That's a dandy roadster you've bought,
Walter, just built for two, so L don't
suppose I'll be asked to ride in it,
why not? Doreen won't mind If
give you Spill
mo. indeednS I fastened to say.
Name day and I'll make Walter call
for you when he leaves the studio.
Then he can bring you home with him
for dinner
"Fine!" Walter exclaimed. "Aify
day you say, Claire
''I'll call you at the studio some
morning next week If L may" she re-
turned.
We played cut throat for an hour
Vol Cd viii
Claire. She lived near US. When
he came in I said:
you didn't mind my saying you'd
take Claire for ride. did you?" He
was easily upset, very easily displeased
at anything that looked like manag-
ing him-"bossing' he called it.
mo, Claire's a good sort, altho
she's plain
1--WE shall never agree upon what
makes a woman good-looking," 1 re-
piled. IT think Claire's bright intel
ligent face far more attractive, even
though her features are irregular.
than a dolI-faced beauty with big eyes
and a perfect nose"
"You are hope1essly practical
Doreen. Sometimes I wonder how I
came to fall in love with you" His
eyes twinkled.
Law of opposites, my dear" I re-
turned laughing.
Long after he slept I lay awake |
of him; of Helen Ralstrom,
of the time he spent with her; and |
that she had selected the car. altho |
[ had not vet mentioned it to Walter. |
Ito be continued1