The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-28
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE PHELPS
MARGARET SYMPATHIzES WITH
KEITH.
CHAPTER.
BY JANE PHELPS

KEITH.
CHAPTER.
In many things a girl is as much of
a woman at 10 as she is at 90, espe-
cially if she is in love with the man
she marries. At times I was almost
-clairvoyant about Keith. what he did,
intended to do, rather. and what he
thought. This knew to be no uncom-
mon gift. and I make no boast of it.
Indeed, it brought me far more pain
than joy.
So as I listened to Keith's loving
goodnight to Margaret, something in
stinctively told me that she knew Mrs.
De Lisle had designs upon Keith, and
that she had been unusually sisterly
and kind, hoping to make trouble be-
tween Keith and me thru Mrs. De
Lisle.
Not that imagined for d moment
she wanted Keith to be anything to
the handsome, attractive widow, but
If she could get him to leave me, or
make me leave him, he would again
belong utterly to her-be her brother
as he had before he met me, as
once heard her complain to an init
mate friend he had not been since.
At first 1 thought 1 would pretend
to be asleep, but when Keith came up
the stairs whistling softly under his
breath, and 1 thought of the unhappy
hours I had spent, I just could not
keep still.
did you have a good tima?"
asked, a sob in my throat
Eyes You should be asleep"
"Hcw could 1 sleep after such an
INSULT"
at do not understand you"
81 should think you would and re-
sent it. To ask you and"
THAT will do. Remember you are
finding faI11f with me not with Mrs,
De Lisle." 1 wondered how he could
speak her name so calmly. 81 told her
you were not good bridge partner.
She took me at my word, and re-
framed from subjecting both of US to
embarrassment. The game the mem
bers of that club play is no game for
an amateur.
81 play nearly as well as Margaret
does. I beat her the last time we
| played"
THAT was luck, not skill, or knowl-
edge of the rules of the game" He
answered patiently as if he were talk
| ing to a small child instead of to his
wife.
He had switched on the lights upon
| finding me awake. He now turned
and looked at me. I was sitting up IN
| bed, my arms clasping my knees.
Lie down, Vera, and-no, you had
better get up and battle your face. II
| is absolutely disfigured. You have
been crying"
| yves. 1 have been crying. Crying
for hours and hours. 1t is wicked to
leave me alone and take your sister
out. thought wife came before
sister. It seems I am mistaken.
/ don't care if my face is disfigured
| from crying! If any one asks what
made me cry shall tell them. I don't
care who it is"
Keith had tried to stop me several
times, but in vain. I felt so hurt, sc
insulted, that the words just piled
over each other.
| Trembling<like a leaf at my temer-
| ity in speaking as 1 had. meekly did
| as was bid. fearless sobs racked my
whole body as I did so.
! Now go to sleep. 1 shall read
awhile"
But it is after o'clock"
Keith made no answer, but left the
room. 1 heard him open the door OF
his den then after a moment L heard
Margaret rap upon it. L craWled from
my bed, and softly opened my door
Just a trifle. Perhaps L could heal
what they said.
what is it, Keith, dear?" Margaret
asked softly as he opened the door.
think he imagined it was me.
Nothing! I thought L would read
awhile"
"I thought I heard loud voices. Was
/ Vera quarreling with you?"
"She was awake and had beer
weeping
"What a cry-baby she is"
i "She felt it was not treating hei
right to leave her at home tonight"
i Hasn't she any sense at all? YOU
explained that none but expert play
ers were invited. If only she had
more womanliness, more poise, Il
wouldn't be so hard for you. dear
Do go to bed. You look tired
.T ALWAYS feel regretful when she
, is unhappy" I knew he referred Il
me. "She is very young. Perhaps We
do not excuse her as we should"
1--WE are always excusing heri Blu
there is no excuse for her making &
baby of herself and making everyone
miserable. Why, Gloria is too mucf
of a little woman to cry If anything
doesn't quite please her"
| Gloria is your daughter, Marga
ret" Nothing he had said had hur
me as did that remark, and the in
donation of his voice as he made it
(To be continued.)