The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-10
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE PHELPS
a LETTER from KEITH.
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER SO.

| CHAPTER SO.
| Two days passed, three. Mrs. AL
drich had not mentioned what 1 had
told her; had made no reference to
her promise to advise me. Yet I felt
singularly at rest. 1 had shifted my
| burden, selfishly perhaps, but with the
| weight gone 1 felt a queer lightness
| of heart, a surety that l should .some-
| how be steered in the right direction.
| The peace had not come because l
was any happier about Keith, I was
| not. But I think one becomes accus-
toned to big hurts of life in less time
than we can adjust ourselves to the
pin pricks, the infinitesimal everyday
| unpleasant things which many of us
have to bear. I had almost become
accustomed to being unhappy, odd as
| it sounds 1 don't think 1 exaggerate
when 1 say that not many women
would calmly, without a struggle, and
| resentment, let another woman hold
| the reins of the household for which
and for whom her husband spent his
money.
1t isn't the big things of life that
drive women to desperation; that COM
pei them to leave their husbands. 1t
is lack of consideration-negl Per-
haps it is just the same the other way
around-unless the man has lost in
terest in his wife. But had not failed
in consideration for Keith; in fact,
had made myself miserable because of
what had tried to endure to please
him.
ut will all come right in the end,
dear Child Mrs. Aldrich had said
when finished my story. "I am sure
of it. Somehow am positive Mr..
sanderson cares more for you than
you think; that he will not let you
CO."
ct wonder if you are right" had
answered. "All I can do is to hope
and-wait."
And pray" she added softly.
'I have prayed until 1 felt that even
God was firing of met Since then
have stopped. But lately, since I told
you about things, 1 have asked Him
constantly to show me the way-the
right thing to do for Keith's happi-
ness, since [ can have none myself"
"All things work together for good
to them who love Him. she returned
softly. y
Two more more passed, then Mrs.
Aldrich said:
Read this, my dear, it came this
morning."
My hands trembled as I took the
letter with the familiar handwriting
on the envelope. I scarcely had
strength to draw out the closely writ
ten sheets.
To my surprise I noticed the open
ing sentence spoke of receiving the
flashed eyer me. Mrs. Aldrich had
written Keith, had sent her letter to
some friend in Philadelphia so that
should the answer be unsatisfactory he
could not trace me thru her. Also
she had not given him 4 name, simply
initials.
The letter bega1:
MY dear j. E. A" Mrs Aldrichs
initials.
Then went on:
"If you know where my wife is
will you not tell me? 1 am terribly
distressed, worried, and unhappy
over her disappearance. I have
done all that is possible to locate
her, but have failed. I realize
poignantly that am almost, If not
entirely to blame. In my anger L
said what did not mean; what no
proud woman could endure TO hear.
But when 1 got home to say how 1
regretted the incident, she had gone.
I do not feeIN I can concede what
she asks. 1 should have to break a
solemn oath If I did. But I will do
all in my power to make her happy
if she will return to me. That is
all l can promise, save regret for
what I said.
VERY truly yours,
Keith Sanderson.''
"Wen?" her kind eyes were bent
keenly upon me as she asked the
81 cannot go back!''
"And do not expect you to-
81 could not live with Margaret
now-it would be far worse than be-
fore. She would constantly sneer at
me, as constantly throw up at me
that I had found I couldn't get on
alone. No, even if you turn me away
1 cannot go back"
And I do not expect you to- Mrs.
Aldrich repeated. This time grasped
her meaning.
You do not think it my duty?''
"No-not unless he gives you
home. a place of your own where you
can be happy. 1 understand that, it
would now be more impossible than
ever. to live with his sister. No. my
dear, he will find a way, if you keep
faith in him.
IT am glad you wrote" I said af-
ter moment. glad he regrets what
he said to me- After that we did
not mention Keith again until several
days later. Then she said:
Il have written again. I have told
him that I uphold you in the determf-
nation to have a home of your own or
remain away. I have given him my
reasons, good ones my dear, why he
should first consider youths wife
(Tomorrow-Vera finds inaction diff
\