The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
VERA BECOMES AN EXPERT AT
r.r.r-.Il xrIArfr
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 81.


Each day 1 looked anxiously thru
the papers to see If Keith was trying
to communicate with me, but was al
ways disappointed.
Mrs. Aldrich in her sweet. quiet way
noticed. and tried to comfort. Is 1t
any wonder that under her influence
| I grew happier, better? Yes, ego
tisticaI as it sounds, I was becoming
better woman il. every way in the
calm atmosphere of this simple little
home I SO fortunately had found.
now occasionally thought of Margaret
| less bitterly, occasionally admitted to
myself that 1 might have made things
run mora smoothly had I been more
patient.
I was becoming quite a housekeeper
| so Mrs. Aldrich said. At my request.
almost my insistence, she had initiated
me into all the mysteries of cooking
! The canning season was at hand and
she taught me to make jellies. jams,
and delicious preserves. And while We
worked she talked of books and trav-
els she had undertaken when she was
younger. For once, years past this
refined cultured woman had been
wealthy as well.
MY husband possessed a rowing
spirit and We were never separated for
even a day until the Lord took him
home" This she said to me one day
when l had admired a photograph of
a man with a strong. yet kindly face
| that stood on the living room table
after she had told m il was a picture
of Mr.. Aldrich.
IT expect he is investigating the
streets of Heaven now" she added
humorously.
had long ago discovered that
death to her meant nothing sad or
awful. 1t was sin ply going before.
I learned many things in these
talks over the kettles of stes ming
fruit. 1 knew nothing, previously, OF
the places and countries she described.
She gave such vivid pictures of them,
however, that I could fairly see the
countries she described; the peoples
their costumes. She had the faculty
of making her listener visualize what
ever she talked about.
She was a good Italian scholar
and offered to teac' me the language
I was delighted, and often we spent
long hours either with books, or if we
were busy about the house with what
she called: Conversational lessons"
Often it seemed to me that the lit
tie I paid her was altogether made.
quate. When I spoke of this she in.
Nariably silenced me by saying:
J You forget what you give me fol
good measure, Vera dear. 1t is some
thing for an old woman to have
young girl as a companions; is worth
more than money to me. Don't fee
that haven't made a good bargain
for myself, for have. I have Away
longed for daughter. I think Coz
sent you to me, shall always feel H,
guided you here"
Often I wondered what Keith. wha
my own people would say if the,
knew. L had written home before
left Margaret's house. told them
was going away Immediately, and 70
an indefinite period. I added that
was amply provided with funds. tina
they were not to worry if a long tim
passed before they heard from me
hear if anything untoward happened
to me. But that I never should z,
back to live in the same house will
my sister-in-law.
When thought of them at home
IL had severe twinges of conscience
longed to write Sall.e all about Mrs
A1drich; the home 1 had found. Blu
I was afraid if I did that mothe
would consider it her duty to inform
Keith. So I tried to forget that
longed to hear from them, and to b.
contented as possible in my quie
home.
Could I at this time, have banishe,
the thought of Mrs. De Lisle-of di
vorce, I should have been almos
happy Then. too, Mrs. Aldrich ha,
made a remark that altho unwitt,ngl,
on her part, had made me very miser
able-when l recalled it.
mo one has the right to make an
other unhappy if they cna help it"
With a rush the thought of KeifI
came over me.
Was I making him unhappy becaus
I had not allowed him to divorce me
or given him a chance to give me tn,
divorce, instead of running away from
him. Altho I had done nothing unit:
1 had deserted him to warrant di
YOrce. I knew that in different sta o,
divorces were given for Incompatible,
and other reasons.
loved Keith dearly; did love hin
enough to give him to another IL il
would make him happier?
Over and over I asked myself tha