The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-10
Chapters From a
Woman s Life
BY JANE-PHELPS
Chapter 5.


I had by this time become in a way
accustomed to Walters rhapsodies, yet
felt a keener stab than ever before
as he continued to rave over the beau
tiful blonde. I did not deny her
| beauty, no one could But to hear
ones husband rave by the hour over
another woman, declare he would do
anything to get her to sit for him,
isn't the pleasantest thing lin the
world. even taking into account his
artistic nature.
''She may feel insulted if you ask
her to sit for you. even if you succeed
81 won't let her. I'll bet she's poor
not rich, rather. Her clothes weren't
those of a wealthy girl.
IT thought she was very nicely
dressed! that she looked very WELL
Shed look like an angel in any
thing
COR nothing!" I broke in. '.Do be
sensible, Walter. Don't think every
good-looking woman you see will>pose
THAT girls going to if it takes me a
year to get her to. You mark what I
say" And when Walter used that
tone, argument was useless.
Two days afterward he came home
all excited.
I've found her. Doreen! She's half
promised to pose for me-
Found who?" L pretended ignor-
ance.
why. that beautiful blonde we saw
Saturday. And, by Jove, she's even
loyelier than I thought"
t'Who is she?'
Her name is Helen Ra1strom. She
lives with an aunt up in the Bronx
She's taking a course as a journalist,
thinks she'll be a writer. L told her
she'd mistaken her calling-that the
world of art, not letters, needed her.
think she needs money, because after
talked a bit she said she'd let me
know in a few days. But I shant
wait, I'll give her just two days and
then go up there again."
felt as if a cold hand clutched my
heart. Something war%ed me that this
beautiful blonde would bring me I'M
happiness. A vague desire to do some-
thing to prevent Walter seeing her
again possessed me. Yet knew moth
ing I could say would have any effect
NOT in the mood he was in. No one
now would please him but this one
girl over whose beauty he raved, this
Helen Ralstrom.
Walter had his way She consented
to sit for him. He was wild with de-
light, talked Of nothing else but her
charms and his picture with her as the
knowledging that all his enthusiasm
was that of the artist, that little or
nothing of the admiration of a man
for a woman was in it.
"As long as he looks upon her only
as a model I am SAFE 1 said to my
self. But had caught a CLEAN of
admiration of him in her eyes that
day on the train, at least 1 thought
it was. She had glanced up from
heavily lashed violet eyes when Walter
had asked me if she wasn't beauty.
He had spoken unguardedIy, and
probably she heard. 1t was then
thought saw the CLEAN of admiration
as she looked at my handsome hus-
band, his face lit up. with interest.
She liYed with her aunt, Walter had
said, was probably quiet nice girl.
and I was making myself miserable
over nothing. 1 was an artists wife,
and should rejoice when he found a
suitable model for his work, instead of
grouching because I was jealous.
1 was really ashamed of myself at
times. knew Walter was an artist
when married him, that he was tenn
peramental to a degree, and that he
had girl and women models. He was
really a figure painter. I hadN known
all these things, yet allowed myself
to be made miserable because he did
just what knew he would do.
Father had said laughingly:
Being an artists wife, Doreen, is |
almost as bad as being a Doctors. |
mother had many a worrisome hour |
for fear I would eiope with one of my /
pretty young patients. Don't let your |
self become jealous of your husbands |
business"
"Of course WON'T" I had answered |
gayiy, then urged Mother to tell me 1
all about the time when she was jeal- /
GUS of dear old stodgy dad, who was /
he could be free of patients.
"I was young. Doreen, and very /
much in love with your father" she |
told mex IT foolishly thought every I
other girl looked at him with my |
eyes. If he had particularly pretty
young woman patient I was miserable.
several Illuminating lessons
learned to- trust him, to put my /
jealousy aside I had to. dear If /
were TO be happy. You will do well I
not to let yourself begin TO distrust
Walter because of his studio work. It
will save you unhappiness-'-
But it was different with a doc
ousy gripped me-
CTo be continued,