The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-20
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
KEITH GOES AWAY FOR TEN
DAYS.
By ZANE PHELPS
CHAPTER rs.

DAYS.
CHAPTER rs.
1 used sometimes to think that it
took more real pluck to put UP with
the countless little disagreeable hap
penings of my everyday life than It
would to submit to some big trouble.
had so much that was good. so much
that had always craved-pretty
clothes. music, amusements. hand
some rooms, a husband I loved, and
wonderful baby girl. Yet all but my
and managed by Margaret. 1 had
absolutely nothing to say as to what
should do, where to go, what to
spend. save occasionally when Mar
garet was either away from home, or
she, for some reason to further her
own desires, chose to rid OF me for
a few hours.
Keith was called away suddenly.
He would be gone about ten days. He
had rushed home and 1 had helped
him pack so hurriedly we had no time
to talk. But as we finished, and he
was on his knees strapping his bag, he
said:
''Will you miss me, Vera,-will you
be lonely without me?"
"Of course will" / replied, then
with a kiss he was gone. 1 heard
Margaret's voice in the lower hall. and
DIS L QlQ SO many llIIl6St i llSlC1cQs
Take good care of Vera anad June,
Margaret" Keith said, II leave them
in your care"
~ think you can trust me-" she
replied.
ishment: Come. if you are going
to the station with me, we shall have
to hurry
He had asked Margaret to go to the
station, and had said nothing to me,
his wife, about going. lost control
of myself and started down the stairs.
II will go to the station with you.
too. Keith" said. ut won't take me
a moment to get my hat" Margaret
spoke:
IT have something private to talk of
with Keith. 1 prefer you should not
accompany us. There's the car, Keith,
come"
I had started back up the stairs for
my hat. Keith obediently followed
Margaret, whom 1 heard say some
thing about Vera listening" But he
called back:
mot this time. Vera, can't wait"
They had been gone but few mo-
ments when Erma Longstreet came to
call she spoke of my red eyes-I had
cried bitterly-and sympathized with
me. She was really indignant, and it
comforted me.
1T wanted you and Mr.. sanderson to
come to dinner tomorrow night" she
said
HE won't be back for ten days"
You must come anyway"
"Oh, can't be the odd one"
It'll ask Tom Benedict. You and
he always get along famously."
We had scarcely stopped talking of
him when Martha announced:
Mr.. Benedict is calling, ma'am.'
1 saw him at once, delighted that
Erma was with me. Her presence
removed e. all self-consciousness I
might have felt had I been alone.
and admire. And saltho Erna made
all sorts of fun of him because he
held her SO awkwardly, paid no at
tention, thinking she was trying to
tease him. I had no thought that a
young child was no addition to the
know better now.
Tom was delighted when Erma
invited him to dinner. She was very
frank about it. calling it an eleventh
hour invitation.
you see, Mr.. Sanderson has gone
away, and I must have Vera. She
wouldn't come and make the odd one
at table. so you get an invitation.
altho I hadn't the slightest idea of
asking you"
I heard the street door, but paid no
attention. Tom pretended to be hurt,
but I could see he was delighted to
go. He asked IL he should call for
me-
mo, shall go early" replied.
Tom soon went, and then after
few moments, Erma. went to the
door with Erma, and as 1 turned to
go back to my rooms, Margaret
called to me;
'I see you waste no time in letting
your gentlemen friends know your
husband is away"
"I don't know what you mean" I
replied. I was thinking of some
thing Erma had said. and was for
getful that Tom had gone a short
time before.
st saw Tom Benedict leave, 50
don't play innocent with me-"
You also saw Erma leave" re-
piled, then added: Even had you
not, I cannot understand your in
situation. Because your friends
I stopped. warned by the look on her
face. had been about to say, be
cause your friends try to take my
husband away from me is no sign I
try their tricks But was awfully
indignant. and slammed my door SO
the house shook-a childish trick of
which was ashamed.
(Tomorrow-Margare has new cause
for jealousy.)