The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-08
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
HAPPY AND SAD DAYS IN THE
COUNTRY.
BY JANE PHELPS

HAPPY AND SAD DAYS IN THE
I COUNTRY.
CHAPTER IS.
was delighted that I was to ride.
Not even knowing that Margaret
had compelled Keith to give her the
amount my horse would cost, could
spoil my pleasure. I did not resent
the constant demand his sister made
for money; her seeming determine
ton to have everything he gave me
and-more, as l perhaps should have
had we been living by ourselves.
Keith seemed to think it only the
natural thing to do, and did whatever
she asked so willingly that I had
fallen into the way of paying no at
tention.
Then, too. I was not extravagan
in my desires. liked pretty clothes.
but was far more annoyed that
couldn't select the colors 1 wished to
wear than that Margaret objected to
the price. That she invariably OBJ
jected to my wearing the colors I
knew were most becoming, was
constant source of irritation-rather,
it had been before I wore black for
Father Sanderson, I would now wear
it for three months longer, so that
cause for discord was done away
with for the time.
had been surprised that Mar
garet was wearing colors when I
came back from mothers. Soft grays
and lavenders to be sure, but colors.
was soon to be enlightened as to
her reason for taking off black.
II heard mamma talking to Mrs.
De Lisle about you today, Aunt Vera"
Irene told me as we started for our
afternoon ride.
at guess she didn't say anything
very bad, my ears didn't burn"
replied, just dying to ask what she
had heard.
"It wasn't so much about you as
about your clothes. She said she
wasn't going to wear black any more
because>it kept Uncle Keith as well as
herself from going out and having
good time. She said as long as you
wore black, and you would have to
wear 1t a long time for your father,
she thought it was her duty to look
brighter and go out more for Uncle
Keith's sake"
So Margaret had even planned that
my grief would work to her adj
and twisted everything to suit her
own desires! I felt very bitter to-
ward her as I rode beside the chill
dren. Even my favorite sport was
almost spoiled because of what felt.
And I had not ridden in SO long.
ST won't let her spoil everything
for mel won't!" I said to myself.
We would be back in town in another
six weeks, and then I would have no
horse. knew well enough that
Margaret would make it impossible
for me to ride in town. 1t was ex-
pensive and she would insist upon
having an equal amount to do with
as she wished. --- - > ~
While we were very wellAtd-do,
indeed, Keith was not a rich man as
riches are considered nowadays.
Margaret, of course. had her income,
but many stocks had cut their divi-
dends and she depended upon Keith to
make them good the difference, as
well as providinex-not his half, but
two-thirds of all house expenses, altho
there were three of them and Only two
1T isn't fairr" had once said to
Keith. He had reprimanded me
severely.
for Margaret and the children. As long
as you do not suffer for anything, I
cannot understand your objection"
He had said it in a manner that
prohibited any reply. He had told the
truth, I did not suffer for anything;
I had far more than ever I had had
before my marriage But inwardly I
still I felt it unfair that my husband
should spend SO lavishly for another
family even that of his sister.
Those last six weeks in the country
was happy and miserable by turns.
Mrs De Lisle was a veritable thorn in
the flesh. 1 was at times SO jealous
wept miserably, and was sure Keith
was in love with her, he was SO atten-
tive. Then he would do or say some
thing that made me think he loved
me too well to care for her and I
would sing for joy. I was either up in
the clouds or down in the depths
most of the time.
sailed with them all one Saturday,
| but there were no more moonlight
parties, and I could not get over being
cheated out of the one they had not
yet ceased talking about. / rode every
day, sometimes alone, often with the
children. 1t was thru Irene that most
of my information came as to what
was going on. I should have discour-
to be informed.
| Mamma and Mrs. De Isle are
going to meet Uncle Keith in town to-
! day and go to luncheon with him." she
told me one morning as we returned
from our early ride. They had left
when we reached the house. There
was another train that would get me
| in about twelve. I would take 1t, go
to Keith's office. and also go to lunch
with him.
I dressed carefully, altho in great
| haste. and at little after / 2 reached
Keith. To my delight he was still
| (Tomerrow-A luncheon in town
and tears.)