The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-22
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE PHELPS
A REASON FOR KEITRS SUMMONS
CHAPTER 81.

/ A REASON FOR KEITRS SUMMONS
CHAPTER 81.
was so excited over what Mrs.
+; Brown had told me that I could not
sleep. It was hours before I finally
dozed off. only to dream that Keith
had left me for a widow who was old
and ugly.
'I wonder
More than once while I dressed the
two words escaped my lips. 1t was
strange that Margaret was SO nice to
Mrs. De Lisie now if she had acted so
! toward her when Keith brought her
to visit his parents Had they been
engaged? I would ask Keith some
time. :
About noon he telephoned he was
| back at the factory and would be up
for dinner al the usual time. I was
delighted, yet in some way 1 was I'M
accountably depressed all day. When
he came in I ran to meet him, and al
most took his breath away with the
big hug I gave him.
1T was lonely without you'll" / said.
well, here 1 am He kissed me
fondly.
After dinner we sat chatting in the
cozy library, when I suddenly asked:
What took you away so unexpect-
edly-yesterday, Keith?"
Margaret telephoned she wanted
my advice about some business mat
ter" he answered rather absent
rnindedly. think he would have re-
proved me for curiosity and for ques-
tioning him had his mind not been
occupied with the affairs of the fac
tory.
How are they all?" 1t was a duty
question this time.
''Finel Margaret had a splendid
dinner"
Were you alone?"
Mrs. De Lisle is staying with her
while we are away. There were no
other guests
I asked no more questions. Mar
garet had deliberately planned to have
him come home and leave me, and
while Mrs. De Lisle was her guest. I
longed to accuse her to Keith, but
did not dare. But 1 would be very
careful that Margaret had no reason
to find fault with me to Keith when
we returned home. If she thought
she was going to play Mrs. De Lisle
against me, my happiness, she was
mistaken. That is, I would not let her
do it without struggle.
OF course my thoughts were far
fetched. But I could see only a men
ace to my happiness in this resump-
ton of friendship between Margaret
and the widow whom I was now con-
WINGED would have been Keith's wife
had his sister not interfered.
How strange that Mrs. Brown
should have told me of her. and of
| the way Margaret had broken up any
thing there had been between her and
Keith And what a strangely selfish
| love for a sister to feel for brother.
Yet in a way Mrs. Browns narrative
had thrown a light upon many of Mar
| garet's actions. This absorbing love
for Keith had been evident even when
| she was a child, and had probably
grown and strengthened with the
years. Nevertheless it was disturb
| ing factor in my life, a menace I
| feared even more now that I knew its
! power.
Just before we went to bed asked:
| What did you do after dinner last
night?''
1--WE played cut-throat for while,
| then Alice played and sang. She is a
wonderful musician"
So while was singing "Annie Lau-
RE" and 1.-The Last Rose of Summer"
for the old housekeeper, my husband
was being entertained in like man
! ner by handsome widow with whom
he once had been in love-if he were
not now. The thought was madden
ing
"You like her very much. don't
you?" I asked.
"who?" I should have known that
his mind was not upon how he had
spent the time with her. but thought
i he was pretending. So I answered
| Grossly.
Mrs. De Isle, of Counsel"
ST certainly do like her. But Vera,
do not care to be questioned. I have
told you so many times. Please do not
forget again" :.
I wanted desperately to ask him II
Margaret really had any business that
needed his attention, but after the way
| he had spoken I didn't dare.
| Again I laid awake nearly all night.
IL pictured them at dinner and after
! ward playing bridge. Then I visioned
Mrs. De Lisle, perfect gowned. and
coiffured. sitting at the piano playing
and singing to him. 1t was torture.
myself. Then, eff he did, why didn't
he marry her instead of me?" But I
the rebound. Perhaps that had been
the case with Keith.
The morning sun was peeping IN at
the window when finally fell asleep
And it seemed only a moment before
| 1 heard Keith say: =.
"Come, lazy bones!s If you don't
hurry shall have to breakfast alone.
6Tomorrow-vacati plans.)