The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-15
THE REVOLT OF.
VERA. SANDERSON
KEITH WRITES VERA.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 81.

was getting uneasy. 1 saw the
years stretching out before me, liv-
ing my life alone, and unloved.
wanted to get to work, to stop using
the money Father Sanderson had left
me, and without which 1 should have
been so helpless. I had taken but
few clothes, my wardrobe would soon
need replenishing.
had no idea of hiding myself
Away from my family, my own peo-
pie, indefinisely. I was thoroly con-
WINGED, since reading Keith's last let
ter, that he never intended to leave
Margaret, that he had decided that
forever-just as I had decided that
I never would return to him unless
he provided me a home away from
her. When time had passed. and he
had perhaps divorced me on the
grounds of desertion and married
Alice De Lisle, I would write Sallie.
Then if she could find something
for me to do 1 would go home and
live with the folks.
AS you can imagine, these thoughts
kept me miserable. The idea of be-
ing divorced, meant to me being dis
graced. Yet I was deliberately put
ting Keith in a position where he
could well ask for onej deliberately
making it easy for him to obtain his
freedom without any scandal. 1t
would be nine days wonder, then
would be forgotten-not only by
him, but by the people I had met
thru him, most of whom were friends
of Alice De Lisle.
1 was sitting in my window nurs-
ing my miserable thoughts. my self
pity, when saw a special delivery
postman come up the flower bor--
dered walk What could it be?
Trouble for dear Mrs. Aldrich posi-
bly,, or it might be-my thoughts
halted. Keith had given his ulti-
matum. He had received my reply.
He had no reason to write her again.
The postman left.
Vera, come down, DEAR" Mrs
Aldrich called.
My heart beat so I held my hand
over it. as I flew down the stairs.
What is it?"
This time the letter is for you"
She handed me. a letter enclosed in
the one she was reading-her but a
short note.
TAI he says to me is that he hopes
I will see that you get the letter en-
closed. and thanks me for what have
tried to do to help you. Now run up
stairs and read it." I had stood like
one dazed looking at Keith's familiar
handwriting. IF you want me 10 see
it you can show it to me afterward."
1 turned and went slowly up to my
room. HOW lOnS L SdL luSl0 WAthOuI
Opening the letter 1 never knew. But
sure that it held nothing good for me
1 could not summon courage to read.
HE is asking-H s-about-a-di-
vorce," I said aloud with trembling
lips. Finally I summoned all my cour-
age, all the will power I possessed, and
opened the letter.
Dear Vera" ne commenced. "I
am sending this to, a Mrs. Aldrich
who appears to know where you are.
I have asked her to see that you get
it. 1 know of no other way to COM
municate with you.
'UntlsI heard from this friend Of
yours I searched blindly but coh- /
stantly for you. could not believe
you had really left me, that you
meant what you said-that You
mover would return unless T. met
your terms.
Then when I realized you did
mean it, Vera, set myself to work
to meet you. I wonder if you will
ever realize the task you set me?
Or, If you will ever know how the
terrible arraignment in your letter
has hurt and distressed me?
ct had no idea had made you so
unhappy-that you were so miser-
able in my home that you would
prefer to fight the world alone than
to remain. When I offered to do all
the things you had mentioned as
De1uS part VI your udIiy uuId ppm
ness, it seemed that perhaps you
would be willing to return. did
not think your love SO petty as to
agine these things, your own car,
and the like, were what made you
leave me. But as read your letter,
it seemed that they had been the
daily pin-pricks perhaps that made
all else exaggerated in your eyes.
st am convinced now that you
will not return except as you have
declared. I shall not ask you to.
But there are many things should
like to talk over with you. Will
you see me and talk things over?
I will not urge you to come back
to me unless can make some ar
rangement whereby you will be sat
isfied and-happy.
81 love you very dearly Vera, al
tho/you may doubt it. Your accu-
sadons prove that you do. I want
to make you happy, to prove my
love. Will you see me and talk
things over? I shall anxiously await
your reply. KEITH"
(Tomorrow-Vera writes Keith where
she is.)