The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-19
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
VERA WORRIES OVER KEITHs

BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER %.

VERA WORRIES OVER KETTHS
PAST.
CHAPTER %.
The night of the dinner party I
never closed my eyes. 1 could think
OF nothing but that remark of Mr..
"Sanderson has returned to his
first love-
L looked pale, and there were dark
circles under my eyes.
Are you feeling ill this morning."
Keith asked.
mo, indeedw
You look pale. You had better
get out and take a long walk. The
fresh air will do you good"
Perhaps will, later"
later, Vera ?" Margaret queried. AN
ME has sick headache this morning,
and L hoped you would take the chill
dren out I shall be very busy"
Usually 1 loved to be with the chill
dren, but this particular morning I
was not in the mood for their chatter
So without meaning to be disobliging,
really without thinking much about
it, said
Il don't feel like going out this
morning"
ct thought you just said you would
go out?" Keith's voice was ominous
II meant later" My thoughts were
still on Mrs. De Isle, what she had
been to my husband.
Don't say anything, Keith. 1t
isn't necessary. The children can re-
main until 1 can take them" Mar
garet replied.
Keith gave me an angry look, and
realized suddenly that 1 had been
needlessly selfish.
Il will take them about IL o'clock
be alone more than anything.
THAT will do very we'll thank
YOU" Margaret returned in her icy
voice, the one she always used to-
ward me when Keith was around and
had displeased her. 1 think she
found it more effective than words.
After Keith had gone L went up
to my rooms and locked myself in
the living room. Keith's den opened
from this, and I wandered in there
after a time, too uneasy to keep still
L sat down in front of his desk, and
tried to think sensibly. If he had
been in love with the dashing widow
he never would have married me.
She would have married him, of
course, if he had asked her. I
thought, in my ignorance of his at
fairs and my love and admiration of
Keith, that no woman whom he cared
for could refuse him.
1t was silly of me to worry when
he had chosen me of all the world to
be his wife. I couldn't help wishing
1 knew all about his past. The novels
had read all made great deal OF
the 'pasts'' of the hero or heroine.
Ny own had been so colorless, so lack
ing in event, that it made that care
less expression of Mr.. Hunters take
on a lurid color-far, perhaps, from
what he intended.
Then 1 wondered If it were true II
Keith had had q past" 1t wasn't
fair, thought, for my husband to
have a past while I had not. If only
I had had some sort of a love affair,
been engaged before or something like
that, it would have sort Of evened up
! things.
I heard the clock strike II. I had
entirely forgotten my promise to Mar
garet to take the children out. But
| now I called to them that 1 would be
ready in a. moment.
| "Goody!" Gloria cried, "Auntie Vera
| is going with us, Irene. 1 told you
she would
"Wen, Mamma said she wouldn't!
It isn't my fault if 1 said SO, too"
| Aunt Vera is always nice, I love
herr" Gloria ran to me and threw
her arms about my neck. 1 returned
| her caress, and somehow the childish
show of affection made me happier
and for the two hours we were in the
park I put away my gloomy thought:
and played and chatted with the two
girls.
own mistress, and in some ways hap.
pier than I had been at home, be.
cause of my love for Keith, and my
ability to have nice things. etc. So
really did forget all about Mrs. DE-
Isle for a time-only to be reminded
| of her again.
Irene complained of being tired, Sc
we sat on a bench to rest. Suddenly
I heard a voice say:
/ Good morning, Mrs. Sanderson"
Then, w-de-do, Irene and Gloria
How you do grow, you two"
| 1t was Mrs. De LiSle.
Ibid you enjoy yourself last night?'
she asked, after L had returned hel
greeting.
| Every much"
ST thought SO, Be careful. Ton
Benedict is fascinating boy"
Careful of what? 1 don't under
stand"
"Oh, you innocent! That is deli
cious. 1 shall have to tell Keith
(Tomorrow-Vera plays nurse girl-)