The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-04
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
MADCAP SALLIE is INVITED TO
VISIT
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 9.

Sf1AE Z n D..
My sister Sallie was three years
older than I, just % when I married.
and the life of the family. "Madcap
Sallie" had been her pet name, given
her by my brother when she was
tiny girl, and like such names often
do, sticking after she had grown up.
When 1 told Margaret 1 had writ
ten for her, I told an untruth. I
didn't dare ask her until I had spoken
| of it to both her and Keith. But when
| she questioned me as to when she
was coming and the length of her stay,
l replied quietly:
'I asked her to stay at least two
weeks. L don't know when she will
come until hear from her.
Let me know as soon as you hear.
I am planning to make a. little visit
myself, and as you say she likes chill
dren, I may go while she shere.g She
can help you look after the girls
1 wanted to scream that I wouldn't
have my sister come at all if she
talked like that! sallie was no ones
nurse girl But I wanted so desper-
ately to see her that T kept still, altho
I flushed angrily. Finally 1 said:
81 shall be SO busy showing Sallie
| the sights that We won't have much
| time for anything else, but of course
We will help see the children are all
right if you want to go away"-the
thought of being alRne with Keith
made me willing to d6Ranything. "And
Saliie will just love to see them ride.
She is a wonderful horsewoman.'
I went upstairs and wrote Sallie.
| Then posted it Immediately. I told
her to answer by return mail, and not
mention the time I had written her,
| that 1 would explain when she came.
1 urged her to come at once, and to
| bring anything pretty in the way of
clothes she mad, or could get. I added:
7 Int m Ill H.
law is a very fiend for dressing Then,
Keith has a chum, a charming man,
whom 1, want you to meet. 1 thought
at first l wasn't going to like him.
| But now l do, immensely. He's rich,
and glory be, has no relatives but one
sister and she lives in Europe"
1t would be lovely if Sallie and Jack
Underwood would fall in love with
each other and marry. Then !Sallie
would come and live near me, At
| least I would have someone l could
| talk to. I suppose I meant, complain
| to, but naturally I didn't admit that
even in my thoughts. YetSthat was
| just what I wanted-zsomeone to
whom / could go with my troubles,
my complaints against my husbands
sister whom 1 really believed he loved
better than he did me, his wife
That, I think. was at the bottom of
good deal of my unhappiness. I
was jealous of Keith's love for his sis
ter. And I am mot at all Jealous ma
ture, or never had been until I mar
ried. When Keith was counting me, I
never cared that he was nice to the
other girls. never thought of being
I Jealous. But it was the idea that his
sister meant more to him, her COM
| fort and happiness were nearer his
heart than mine, that hurt.
| never felt the least jealousy of
Margaret's children. altho Keith made
a great deal of the two little girls. I
knew he spent a good deal on them,
but I never had bit of the feeling I
| had about his paying more than his
share of the house expenses, or buy
| ing Margaret's clothes.
| think that had Margaret allowed
me to use the servants as freely as she
did, and as I should considering the
| circumstances; had I felt the freedom
that I should in asking for things
| liked to be cooked; had been able te
| do as she did. and have company when
| I wished, we would have been fairly
good friends. .s But I was allowed none
| of these things, none of the freedom
a woman is supposed to have when
her husband is paying the bills. 1t
ranked all the time, and made me
| feel unpleasant inside even tho I gave
| it no expression.
When Keith came home told him
I had written for Sallie.
/ did you speak to Margaret ?''
81 told her 1 had invited her"
'fWill it be convenient"
| "She made no objection Then,
| But suppose she had. Keith? Am 1
never to have anything to say? 1 feel
SO insignificant, yet you tell me this is
my home. I feel that I am only here
On sufferanee most of the time"
| GAS told you, Vera, Margaret will
always run the house. 1t IS your home,
and it is up to you to make it a pleas
ant one. I am glad your sister will
visit you" He kissed me fondly maxi
| ing me forget for the moment that I
was ever unhappy.
(Tomorrew-Madcap Sallie arrives.)
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