The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-02
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
A WELL FORMULATED PLAN.
BY JANE PHELPS

CHAPTER Sc.
The next morning Keith came into
the room just as 1 was going down
stairs. In spite of my sleepless night
I had risen unusually early.
You are up early" he remarked
coldly.
Yes" my tone fully as chilly.
II will be down as soop as break
fast is ready
If he expected an answer he was
disappointed. 1 could not talk to him.
If 1 did I should either quarrel or
cry. I had determined never to do
either again.
Breakfast passed off as usual. 1
was generally quiet at table. Margaret
gave no one a chance to talk, she was
so busy telling Keith her plans for the
day, and ascertaining his, SO my si-
lence passed unnoticed.
Il am taking the girls to the, dem
fist today, Keith. How would it be if
we lunched with you? Would you like
it, girls?"
replied, while Gloria clapped her
hands in glee.
Very well. IN meet you at one.
Make it sharp, 1 have a busy day at
the office, and shall be late coming
home" He looked at me.
Then Wen. wait dinner for you?"
Margaret said. as we rose from the
table.
NO. don't waltz may go to the
club; on second thought I will" An
other look in my direction. I wanted
to speak to him, to bid him goodbye,
but Couldn't should surely break
down.
VERY well, then the girls and. will
go to matinee. and have just SIM
pie dinner by ourselves"
lxfSGad Keith ffOp6lV she all
ways did, he returning the caress.
hen he turned and said-I had started
toward the stairs.
Goodbye, Vera"
Even then had he kissed me as he
did Margaret, had he flung me the
loving look he gave her, might never
have had the strength to carry out my
plan. But that cold: Goodbye,
Vera" gave me the courage I needed.
Goodbye, Keith" L said. not wait
ing to hear Gloria's enthusiastic con-
fidenc because of the unusual treat
she was to have.
Nothing could have been managed
| better had Margaret known what was
in my mind, I thought bitterly as l
closed my door, and shut out the sound
of their voices. I should have long
| day alone! 1 should have many long
days alone.
BY half past nine they had gone. I
was alone with the maids. 1 had
planned to go the first time Margaret
| left the house. and her going the very
day after Keith had made his choice,
would necessitate haste on my part
| 1 called Annie.
"Can I trust you, Annie?'
"Oh, you know you can, Mrs. SAN
| derson. L have always wished could
| do something for you-always."
'T am going away, Annie. Never
mind where Don't ask me any ques-
I oil ok
get me a taxi and will be ready"
Eyes, ma'am."
when you see the taxi drive up, do
| you think you can let the man drive
| in quietly, then run down to the
kitchen and keep Martha and James
don't want any of them to see the taxi.
| They might notice something do not
care to have them see-nothing wrong,
Annie" I had thought Martha or
James might notice the number of the
| taxi and so I might be traced.
yes maam. 1 think can manage
it. Mrs. Dalton gave James the day
off, and he went about ten minutes
ago"
James's absence simplified matters
! With Annie's help we soon packed my
| trunk was in mourning for my
baby. I took only my simple black
clothes. 1 intended to find work some
where, and So knew that other things
would only be a burden.
I took all the jewelry Keith had
given me I hadn't many pieces, but
! they were all good. Yet it was not for
their value that wanted them. Each
bit represented a kindly thought for
me. I treasured them for that.
By noon I was ready. Annie had
/ brought me a bite of luncheon on g
| tray.
! IT told them you said you wouldn't
come downstairs" she said, "and cook
and Martha are going to- get luncheon
for US right now. There's no danger
of them seeing the taxi when Il
| comes"
| had packed my toilet articles in
my handbag with few necessary
things for the night, should I not be
able to get my trunk wherever de-
cided to stay. Then lastly I put my
bank book into my purse.
| Everything worked exactly as Annie
had planned. She called a taxi. lei
the man in. Then while I directed
him with the trunk, she went into the
kitchen. almost tearfully, to see thai
neither cook nor Martha had oppor-
tun1ty to observe my departure.
(Tomorrow-Vera arrives in Boston.)