The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-23
Helen Hunters
Husband
BY JANE PHELPS
HELEN DEMANDS FIFTY
DOLLARS
BY JANE PHELPS


Jack worked faithfully with varying
success. At times he would be dread
fully discouraged when two or three
days passed without as he expressed it
mailing a prospect" Then he would
write policy, or two. perhaps fair
sized one, and Immediately be en-
couraged. He was in way his own
boss, something he could not be in
any other business, because he lacked
capital 1t was this which had at
first caused him to decide upon in
surance. 1t needed no capital, and he
was practically his own boss-two
points not to be overlooked when con-
sidering what to do.
Ten days had passed since Helen
had gone out with Mr.. Barnes. Jack
had almost forgotten the incident SO
busy had he been, and lacking any
further reference to it by Helen. She
had gone to her bridge club as usual,
and Jack mistrusted had not been as
lucky as she might be. She was i'm
patient on the evenings of the days
the club met, coming home late, and
eating no dinner.
Jack, have got to have $50" They
We're at the dinner table. Helen had
been distract, seeming scarcely to hear
when, without preamble, she made her
demand.
FIFTY dollars! What for?"
II owe it to Natalie Horton and
DeI1NMoore."
Bridge debts?''
Eyes. have had a run of bad luck
of course it won't last-and I had to
give them 1. o. US. They can't go
unpaid any longer. It is a rule of the
club if member let's an I. o. U. run
over a certain length of time they
are dismissed from the club"
he i11.
were! Jack suddenly flared. Why
should he work so hard to give his
money to these women? Helen was
involved in a way, but to hand $50
over to Natalie Horton and Dell
Moore. both wives of men who had
far more than he did-it was prepos-
terousi
''Why. Jack Hunter! Think of the
disgracei" Helen returned, her eyes
flashing.
II consider it more of disgrace
for you to gamble with my hard
earned money"
Don't say any more about it! I'll
get it somewhere" There was a hard
look on her face.
VERY likely! Who's going to pay
your gambling debts?"
TN borrow it. and pay when my
luck turns. I can't talk to you, that
quick temper of yours is enough to
drive me away. flaring up at nothing
at ALL
You call it nothing-a gambling
debt of $500"
Fifty dollars isn't so much"
Its $50 more than I've got.''
80 I'm to borrow it?'
Il don't care a damn what you doi"
Jack returned, and rose from the
table. He slammed the door into the
living room. where Helen found him
a few moments later.
T L. IS
he apologized, but you know what a
measly- one it is. Now about that $50.
If get it for youth have to borrow
it from Dunn because I can't draw any
more from the office until some more
work goes thu-will you give up that
club? We can't afford it, dear, not
IN any way. Aside from what you
stand to lose, there's the entertaining
your share-the better, more expen-
sive clothes you seem to think you
must have because OF it, and-alf that.
Come, dear, tell me you'll resign, and
will get the $780,
You selfish beast, Jack Hunteri I
wish my mother was alive-she
wouldn't begrudge me a little $50. She
often gave me more than that to
spend on myself. Oh. why didn't she
live?"
Helen, I'm sick and tired of hear
ing of your mother, and of that word
begrudge' which you use so often in
connection with what I say and do. I
work like dog, go nowhere. have
nothing, work for you-and what
thanks do get? Abuse! Very well"
he went on more ca1mly-his anger
had almost overwhelmed him again,
I'll get you the $50. But don't ask
me again, that's all, Helen"
You'll have to send it up by a
messenger boy. The club meets tomor-
row afternoon" Helen replied. Then:
Come on, let's get the dishes done.
Someone may come in"
Half an hour afterward. Mr. and
Mrs Layton and their friend, Mr.
Barnes, called.