The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-03
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE PHELPS
VERA ARRIVES IN BOSTON.
C1a~kA-

Chapter 81.
| All of this planning OF mine seems
now, as look back upon what hap
pened that day, as almost melodra-
matte. But as Keith had chosen
| Margaret in preference to me I did
not intend to be traced, then brought
back like a runaway child. I was
| leaving for good.
| I drove Immediately to the station,
! dismissed my cab, waited a few mo-
ments, then bought my ticket. checked
| the trunk, took another taxi and
went to the bank.
I had hoped to pass unnoticed, but
the cashier to whom Keith had talked
the day we deposited 10y. money was
on duty and recognized me:
You wish to draw it all out, Mrs.
Sanderson?" he asked after I stated
my errand.
eyes. I wish to invest it." used
the term Keith had used when he
talked OF my money.
"In that ease I will say nothing,
altho we dislike to lose you as a de-
positor," he returned politely.
/ I took the money, most OF it in
large bills md left the bank. At the
station I went into the ladies' room
and put 1t in pocket 1 had, that
morning, added to the dress wore.
knew Keith would think I had
gone home. but that I had no inten-
ton OF doing. I very much doubted
If my people would think because my
husband loved his sister almost in
sanely-that he deferred to her wishes
instead of to- mine-it was sufficient
reason for leaving him. I felt too.
that could not answer their ques-
tons, make explanations. wanted
to be alone, away from every one L
knew or ever had known. 1 felt dis
graced. I was a discarded wife,
thrown away like an old glove 1
ho erix In No %
keep me with him; he refused to
take 1t.
So as he would think I had gone
west, would go in the opposite direc-
ton. would go to Boston. then to
some small nearby town until I was
sure would not be traced. I would
rest, then find work. was not quite
foolish enough, aitho / knew so little
of business, to think that $1,000 would
last forever.
had worn veil. and kept it down
all the way. My thoughts ran riot
from Keith to Margaret, home to my
own people, to Erma, the only real
young woman friend had made since
my marriage. to Gloria and. Irene.
Finally they jerked back to Keith He
did not yet know I had gone. I would
be almost to Boston when Margaret
reached home, and he would dine at
the club. I should be at ehe end of
my journey before he learned I was
missing.
had coached Ann.s as to what
she was to say If Margaret questioned
her. Simply that had gone out with
out saying when would return. To
my husband she was to tell the truth.
She had called q cab. I had sent her
to the kitchen and attended to my
own luggage. had left a letter for
Keith. He would find it on his desk.
l visualizsd Margaret saying:
1--WE won't wait dinner, James.
Serve It at once" They never did
wait for me. was not of enough
importance in that house. I then saw
her as she would look when Keith
told her I had not come in, and ques-
ton her as to where had gone, and
If had left word for him. Such
thoughts helped me not to cry. And
that was what I wanted to do more
than anything in the world. But as
always when I thought of Margaret
it steeied me against Keith.
dared not think of him as he
would look when he talked to Annie.
/ only saw MargareTs face when she
new I had gone, the glad look on it.
L would not think of Keith. of how
he would look and act when he had
read the letter had left for him. 1T
would be very late, midnight anyway
by the time he found that.
Then suddenly the thought came
unless Margaret was up to tell him ]
was out he would not know 1 had gone
until morning. He would sleep in the
spare room as he had the night be-
fore. and SO would not find the letter.
Then with a crunchfng and grinding
OF wheels the train stopped. We were
in the station.
I hurried out from the train, and
asked the station matron to direct ne
to a small hotel for the night. She
did SO. and / hurried away. I was
fearful some OF Keiths acquaintances
might see and recognize me. I knew
business men Travelled q great deal.
The hotel to which the matron d.
rected me was small but clean. went
at once to my room after registering
as Mrs. Brown. giving a small town
in Pennsylvania as my address. I or
I had to compel myself to eat. Then
faced the long evening alone, theI
first Of those to follow.
I longed to weep, to cry out my
loneliness, my despair at the sure
proof I had that Keith did not love
me.
Very we'll, go them"
That short sentence he had hurled
at me rang in my ears Over and
over heard his voice telling me tol
go, I had gone, and he would not
because he did not love me.
Not once since I told him to choose
between me and Margaret had any
thing but what he had said occurred
to me as a reason for my act. Other
things were to come later, distressing
thoughts.
(Tomorrow-vera writes Keith--Hcr
ultimaturn.)