The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-09
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
THE LoNGsTREEr DINNER
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 49,.

| wei, vera, did you enjoy your
/ self ?" Keith asked as we rode home.
| Immensely" I wanted to add, az
should have enjoyed myself even
more if Mrs. De Lisle hadn't been
! playing with you.''
| 1T thought you werei I felt very
proud of you. Everyone was talking
turned to Margaret and added:
She plays a far better game than
| you do, Margaret. You will have to
brush up q little to keep up
Beginners luck!" she quoted
again.
'.No-vera, plays a real game. Be-
ginner's luck had nothing to do with
| it." Man-like he would fight for me
over game of bridge, but let me
fight my own battles over things of
far more moment in my life.
| Time will TELL" Margaret said in
her cold, hard voice
| Yes, time will tell, Margaret, and
1 intend that the next. time Mr.. Grant
| compliments me he shall include me
with Keith and Mrs. De Isle, in
stead of saying they are the only
members of the club who play a bet
ter game"
Did Grant say that, Vera?'
Keith looked pleased as he asked the
Indeed he did, and right before
Margaret"
That's why you are sore. is it?''
he pinched Margaret's cheek. She had
flushed angriiy "Fie on you. Mar
garet! I wouldn't have believed you
| Jealous"
| I'm not jealouS But the way
Vera preened herself tonight dis
gusted me. You would think no one
ever played a good game before-no
poise, just a gloating over her luck!'
| Fortunately we drew up at the
/ III
OUT I say fortunately" because I
had nasty retort on my lips. Mar
garet kissed Keith goodnight, and we
went up to our apartment.
Bridge brings out all the jealousy
| in a person." Keith said. Don't mind
, what Margaret said about your play
ing. In q way she was proud that
you played so well. I know her"
I felt like saying I knew her far
better than he did. She wanted me
asked to join the club. and had been
unable to hide her desire from me.
1t had spurred me on to greater eff
forts SO perhaps, indirectly. Mar
, garet was to blame for the success
she SO resented.
meeting she treated me with disdain,
or appeared not to know was alive:
1t rather amused me, as 1 recognized
the cause was simply her Jealousy
due to the way I had been compll-
mented at the club.
Erma's dinner. I was delighted, be-
/ cause when she was so cold, so distant
| to me- she succeeded in making others
uncomfortable also. Then, TOO,
wanted Erma to have good opinion
/ of my husband and his relatives.
hoped a good deal of happiness would
come to me thru knowing her. And
knew if she wished. Margaret could
spoil even our friendship.
Erma's dinner was delightful Mar
u garat thawed wonderfully when she
found that Clarence Butler. promi-
nent Wall Street man, had been in
vited to make the even number.
i ct can only entertain four besides
ourselves now" Erma said in hel
sweet, unaffected way.s Later. wheT
Jim makes his fortune, 1 shall have
larger dinner parties
six is a very comfortable number
Margaret responded graciously. She
had vamped the banker ever since we
| sat down.
1 was seated between him. and jim
Longstreet. Jim gave me little shove
with his toe, then winked at me:
almost laughed aloud. Instead
frowned at him. Margaret would bt
furious if any one were to accuse hel
of flirting.
1 will not attempt the menu, bu
/ it was dainty de1iciously cooked ant
served. The table was beautifully set
, the centerpiece, laid flat. was of fin'
: ferns and margueritesi Erma's chin;
was delicately patterned in blue apt
gold, and her glass and silver wonder
fully polished. Her really exper
, housekeeping was evidenced in every
thing. My heart was full of envy a
i thought how happy I would be i
, Keith and I could live alone in a lit
; tie flat. We had far handsome
home, yet I honestly envied Erma.
After dinner Erma played for us
, She was~a good violinist, and I &C
, con7panied her on the piano. Thel
sang. Erma had proposed we pla,
bridge, the four guests, while she ant
> Jim looked on. But to my surprise
: Margaret vetoed it.
cit will be nice to talk and hav
some music instead" she had said
and Mr.. Butler had, seconded her.
When we left, Margaret was yer.
gracious in her praise of the dinner
and promised to have Jim and Erm;
with us soon. Mr.. Butler was invite,
to call and have tea with her.
Made a hit. old girl. didn't you !?
Keith leased Margaret on the wa,
home. Butler is supposed to be
! woman hater."
(Tomorrow-Unrecog heroism.