The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-22
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
A DELIGHTFUL EVENING.
BY JANE PHELPS



A DELIGHTFUL EVENING.
Chapter II.
AS I had promised, left early for
Erma's dinner. Margaret had Sc
cluded herself all day, and 1 made
no move to bid her goodnight when
left. I felt horribly ugly toward her
inside, and knew would show it.
I had heard it said often that one
could become accustomed to almost
anything in life. But never had I be-
come accustomed to bearing the
taunts. the undisguised dislike of my
husbands sister. 1 fumed inwardly
against life as was obliged to live it.
I wept, I prayed, ct 1 went on being
miserable because of my love for
Keith. But had, of late, experienced
an unexplainable terror of the future
the long years that stretched before
me. I struggled desperately to over
come this feeling, but at times it swept
me helplessly, blindly on a torrent of
such emotion as left me weak and
dazed.
Keith had remained out more often
after baby came. Then when had
offered to go with him he had for a
time seemed to get back into the old
way of being with either Margaret and
me, or with me at home. But he had
begun to leave me alone again, going
out or remaining in to suit Margarets
plans. hut paying Lo attention to mine
had felt sure, even before Mrs.
Hunters call, that he was with Alice
De Lisle, yet 1 tried to convince my
self it was not, could not be with any
wrong intention. She entertained and
amused him better than 1 could al
tho I desperately tried to be all
could to him. But when he remained
at home, Margaret invariably was in
the room with US. and before her
never was myself-always at my
worst. Either was silent, letting her
monopoIlze the conversation, Il I
would make some foolish remark that
sounded silly and childish.
Erma greeted me so joyously it was
ike balm to me. I had no apprecia-
ton at home save as Gloria gave it
to me, and it was delightful to be
enthused over. She showed me her
table, arranged for ten guests 1t was
perfectly lovely-a tulip dinner" she
called it, because she had used tulfps
for her decoration. 3 & q
II have friend in the. country, an
old lady who has a lovely graden. I
told her was going to give a dinner
tonight and she sent me all the flow
ers. OF course I could not have af-
ferded them otherwise" This was
like Erma, she never pretended.
Tom Benedict was the second guest
to arrive.
You said you were coming early.
so I followed suit" he said as he took
both my hands in his. He seemed so
glad to see me that I thought for an
uneasy moment he was going to kiss
me. But he dropped my hands, and
smiling took those of Erma, so MAX
ing me feel no embarrassment at his
action with me.
He and I talked until the other
guests came. Jim and Erma laugh
ingly told us to entertain each other
Wh1ie they attended to some little last
things" about the dinner. As usual I
felt envieus of them, and said SO to
Tom.
What a lovely time they have!''
Yes-but why shouldn't they?" =
"Oh, nothing! Only am so envious
of every girl who has a home all Her
own. have a lovely one of course"
I FASTENED to add, realizing I was say
ing more than was perhaps wise, "but
1t isn't quite the same when one shares
it with another family
II know, and 1 have wondered that
Mr.. Sanderson didn't give you a place
of your own"
Some day perhaps he WILL" but
could not help the sigh that followed.
Just then the guests began to arrive.
Then we had dinner, a delicious one.
was a bit ashamed that 1 rather
sloated over the fact of how hugely
Margaret would have liked it. Tom
devoted himself to me-of course he
took me in-and 1 had such a lovely
time.
After dinner We danced. Jim had
taken up the rugs, and a1tho the room
was small we managed to have an
awfully good time. 1t was after 1
O'Clock when we left. Tom Benedict
took me home in his car.
When may I come and see your"
he asked as we stood on the walk
after he had helped me out of the
machine.
"Any time you wish" I remem-
bered my determination to make Keith
jealous.
THAT will be very soon," he return
ed as We reached the door. had seen
the curtains in Margaret's room move.
She had been watching to see what
time returned. Purposely I detained
Tom, talking and laughing. Then
when he left I held out both hands to
him. I was sure Margaret could see,
but spirit of recklessness held me
for the moment and did not care.
(Tomorrow-Though words bring
UnhapDinesS