The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-28
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE PHELPS
THE NATTER OF THE CAR.
CHA RTER

knew I had initiative-in many
ways. I also knew before 1 had been
long married that I was constantly
browbeaten by my husbands sister.
Yet was helpless-or thought 1 was,
which amounted to the same thing. L
loved Keith SO dearly that l was
afraid to assert myself in any way for
fear of offending him.
Then, too, Keith had a temper. 1
had seen nothing to indicate he was
more than ordinarily prone to resent
things of which he didn't approve be-
fore we were married. But 1 soon
found it took but little to make him
either fly off at a tangent, or go to
the other extreme and sulk.
No matter which he did, it made
me miserable. So 1 grew more meek,
instead OF insisting upon expressing
myself and demanding my rights.
One Sunday the pastor of the
church we attended, took for his text:
THE meek shall inherit the earth"
felt that l never wanted to hear
him again, that would rather be dis
inherited than to be meek and have
the earth. as he said one should if
they bowed their necks willingly to the
yoke.
Margaret had a lovely limousine of
a popular make. When we all went to
the theater or to church we all rode.
But when I asked for the car she in
variably was going to use 1t, and re-
fused me.
May / have car, a small one?' I
asked Keith.
I'VE don't need another ear. Vera"
''We-?' I exclaimed. Isn't it
Margaret's carr"
TT belongs to both of U.S." he re-
piled, then flushed.
IF it does why does she refuse to
allow me to use it?''
"Well-you see she has had exclu-
sive use of a car for SO long-oh, why
will you always quarrel with Margaret,
Vera? We never used to have any
words about things. I dislike it very
much"
I said no more. I saw he was be-
coming angry. But I knew as well as
if he had told me that he had paid
for the car, that it belonged to him,
not to Margaret.
1t was only a short time afterward
that I overheard a conversation be-
tween them about changing the car
for a new model.
''Why not consult Vera as to the
upholstering Keith asked, Margaret
| had asked his advice.
"She hasn't any taste in those
things" was my sister-in-law's an
swer.
"Suit yourself then. But, Margaret
| If you have that late model. it must
do for you and Vera both. She wants
a small car of her own. I had thought
to give it to her for her birthday, but
if do this it will be impossible"
"She doesn't need car. When we
go out don't We always use the large
car? I couldn't think of using last
years model-people would say that
now you were married anything was
good enough for me-"
st told you my marriage would
make no difference to you, Margaret
I have kent nv word"
At know, and you are a dear, the
dearest brother a woman ever had"
So they had discussed these things
before Keith married me. He had
promised his marriage should make
no difference in what he did, what he
spent for her. 1t seemed terribly I'M
fair tonne.
Often during the first few months
of my married life I had shed a few
tears when Keith and had had some
argument. He always put me in the
wrong, and made me feel like an i'm
reasonable child crying for the moon.
But after while this feeling was min
gled with one of resentment. I hated
to be put in the position of selfish,
| ineonsiderate wife-whieh I was not.
was only too soft, to quote Marga-
ret.
I never retorted angrily when Keith
found fault with me. Instead I would
throw my arms around his neck and
with tears and sobs beg him to love
me and forgive me for annoying him
We used, before we were married
| to take long walks in. the early dusk
I asked him if he wouldn't take them
now. I felt as if just to get away
| from the house, from Margaret, with
| him would be happiness.
| IT can't take the time, Vera 1t is
all can do to make ends meet by
putting in a full day at the office
He kissed me and told me to ask
| Margaret to walk with me.
! She is such fine, sensible woman
Vera. 1t will dc you good to be with
her. Make her your companion
dear, whenever you can. Margaret is
one in a thousand"
| / felt like screaming that / knew
i she was one in thousand--the one tc
| take all joy in life from me, to make
my. marriage with him a nightmare
because of her influence, when had
| looked forward to a life of happiness
* I was fast becoming disenchanted
! I hated Margaret-altho I tried tC
hide it. 1 almost hated Keith a.
times; and I despised myself for en-
| during what I constantly assured my
self could not be helped.
1t frightened me a little when
| first began to feel that something like
hatred for Keith. I fought against il
desperately. It would be dreadful t.
go on living with a man one didn't
love.
(Tomerrow-A quarrel and its re-
sult.)