The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-26
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
VERA LEARNS TO ENJOY HER
SELF WITHOUT KEITH.
BY JANE PHELPS
10

Chapter lOf
Now my Sundays and the week
nights when Keith left me were all
occupied. 1 never said a word when
he remarked that he was going over
to Margarets simply put on my
things and walked as far as the cor
ner with him and took the stage for
Erma's.
At times could scarcely keep
from laughing. He would say
Il think 1 will run over to Margar-
cts for a little while. She telephoned
me this afternoon she wanted to see
me-"
By the time I had my hat and coat
on, he would change his mind.
Suppose we stay home tonight.
Vera? You play and sing for me. I'll
telephone Margaret 1 can't come"
Very WELL" 1 would say, but always
bit regretfully. If he had only
known how delighted I vast Then I
would telephone Erma, and pretend
to be chagrined that could not come.
1t may have been deceitful to do
as 1 did, yet I felt 1 was excusable
because of the end 1 had in view
Keith's and my own future happiness.
fully. Perhaps some day Keith will
realize that my claims equal Mar
garet's."
"a wife should come first"
Il think SO too. Erma- But Mar
garet's hold on Keith was too strong
when he married. 1 am not as bitter
as before 1 lived with Mrs. Aldrich.
She had known cases of extreme de-
votion between brother and sister sim
liar to that of Margaret's and Keith's.
An extremely jealous, selfish nature
like Margaret claiming lifelong de-
, votion because of childish sentiment
that never had been replaced by a
greater one. Margaret was not hap
PLY married. you know. Had she
been, she would probably have been
well. I only hope you make Keith
wake up"
st think I shall-soon"
| Mrs. Aldrich had promised to visit
me. I wrote asking herr to come at
once. She did, and before she had
been with me two days Gloria and
Irene were her devoted admirers.
IT told mother she was the most
wonderful woman in the world
Gloria said in her exaggerated man
ner.
''And told her If she didn't get to
know her she would be missing an aw-
full lot" Irene added.
could see from what the girls told
me that they had made Margaret cur
| ious.- But she still stubbornly refused
/ to come near me.
'T wish Margaret might meet Mrs.
'Aldrfch,' said to Keith.
"I wish so too" He gave the sigh
that now almost invariably followed
any reference to Margaret.
Cant you manage it? Take Mrs
Aldrich to luncheon. Ask Margaret
to join you. I'll think of some ex-
cuse for you to- give for my absence"
Keith looked keenly at me. but
made no reply. AS we finished break
fast. however, he said:
Vera, if Mrs. Aldrich would con-
sent to lunch with me 1 should feel
honored." He then named a popular
restaurant.
1 acted as pilot for Mrs. Aldrich,
| then hurried away, making an ap-
pointment with a dressmaker my ex-
cuse.
I'VE had a delightful luncheon"
she told me when L reached home to
find her there before me. 1 had met
some friends and been delayed. II
liked Mrs. Dalton very much"
Margaret can be charming-when
she chooses. So she lunched with
you?"
Eyes. and after we finished she
brought me home. We had quite a
chat. Our talk was principally about
you. 1 think I surprised her little
with some of my ideas"
1t was evident something had hap
pened when a few days later Gloria
came over and. in the privacy of my
room, confided:
Mother is just dying to give a din
ner party for Mrs. Aldrich. and doesn't
know how to manage. She sent for
Uncle Keith to talk 1t over and he
wouldn't have a word to say unless she
asked you. Poor Uncle! 1t must be
horrid for him between the two of
you"
I often had thought SO too, but
Gloria putting the thought into words
brought it home to me more forcibly
than ever before.
1t must be llorried for Keith. He
was trying to be fair to both of us
and in the attempt was being ground
between the gr!ndstones of all that
was unpleasant.
felt I must be more patient; must
try in every tactful way 1 could think