The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-11
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
MARGARETS DISAPPOINTMENT
PLEASES VERA.
BY JANE PHELPS

MARGARETs DISAPPOINTMENT
PLEASES VERA.
| CHAPTER 81.
| 1t was late when Keith came home,
accompanied by Margaret and Mrs.
De Lisle. heard them laughing and
chatting as they came up the walk,
and bit my lip to keep from crying
1t would not do to let Keith see me
with red and swollen eyes. 1t almost
always made him angry-always it
| annoyed him.
| I had been thinking of what he
said when he left me: Margaret has
been looking at cars this afternoon"
Was he going to pay for a new car
for her? was. sure she would not
! feel she could change her car for a
new one unless he did. longed for
a machine of my own, at least one
that I felt free to use- I would ask
| Keith to get me a small inexpensive
one before he was roped in to buying
I thought of it, inelegant tho it was
he was "roped in" by Margaret.
why didn't you go to bed, Vera ?"
Keith asked when he came In.
was sitting by the window in the
darkened room, but it was bright
moonlight. and I was plainly visible
| from the doorway.
| "I didn't feel sleepy" in spite of all
preeaution my voice trembled..
You have been crying" He
| mo, haven't" 1 replied, but just
the moment I spoke the tears came.
l tried my very best to hold them
back but in vain.
We'll you are crying now. What
| is it? If it makes you weep to have
me come home I'll stay in town at
the club. 1t would be just as COM
Portable, and good deal more anus
| ing than to come home to a wife who
at the least little thing turns on the
tear faucet"
1t was not quite like Keith to talk
| like this, and had L been wiser
should have known he was disturbed
and tried not to annoy him. But
was not wise. and was hurt. so
replied:
when Margaret cries you don't
| talk so to her."
MY sister never cries without a
reason"
| "Or I have something she envies."
| I couldn't help saying.
| I'VE will leave Margaret out of the
discussion. And if you will please get
to bed I shall get some sleep. 1t is
after midnight"
I got up slowly and commenced to
\ undress ] wanted to talk to him, to
make friends. I knew he was very
| angry by the way he threw off his
| things. But I lacked the courage to
commence a conversation, and he evil
IDENTIFY did not intend to. So hurried
! into bed without another word being
| spoken by either of us. But I could
not go to sleep, and finally I said:
I'm sorry 1 was cross. Keith. But
| I was lonely and disappointed to be
alone while you were in town."
| Very well. go to sleep"
| aren't you going to kiss me good
night?"
He gave me little peck on my
| cheek, then once again told me he
was tired. and to please let him go to
Sleep
In the morning when went down
Keith. 1 found him talking earnestly
to Margaret in the hall.
mo. Margaret 1 cannot afford 1t,
I heard him sey.
But Keith, =" she saw me and
instantly stopped talking, and an ugly
| look came over her face.
Good morning" I said.
"Good morning." Margaret returned
without animation.
I hesitated, waiting for Keith.
81 wish to talk to my brother mo-
ment. Vera. Go into breakfast. We
will be in in a moment"
1t always made me indignant to be
dismissed like a child. as Margaret
had habit of doing. but this morn
ing 1t made me angry. I knew she
wanted to tease Keith to do something
he had said he could not afford to do.
But just then Gloria and Irene came
down the stairs. and each grabbed one
of my hands with shout
"Come on, Aunt Vera!" and dragged
me into the dining room.
In a few moments Margaret and
Keith came in. When 1 saw them
knew Margaret had failed to compel
Keith TO do as she wished. She looked
peevish, and he annoyed. 1t had the
effect of a tonic upon me. I suppose
/ should be ashamed to confess it, but
every time Margaret failed in making
| Keith do as she wished it made me
happy. So now chatted and laughed
/ with the little girls. and the others at
the table near me until Margaret said
Grossly:
"I do wish you children would
keep stif1. Don't encourage them in
their bad manners at the table, Vera .
smiled, and subsidized. Afterward
IL walked with Keith to the station.
When he left me he said:
st am glad to see you happy this
morning. You mustn't mind Margaret
being cross at breakfast, she was dis
Appointed in something"
HE always makes excuses for her.,
I said aloud as walked home.
(Tomorrow-vera'sN secretly