The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-17
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
I ACT ON A FOOLISH IMPULSE.
BY JANE Phelps
Chapter At.

ACT ON A FOOLISH IMPULSE.
Chapter At.
Clarence Butler called at the house
frequently He was very gallant. and
was especially nice to me. saw that
it annoyed Margaret, so perhaps en-
couraged him by appearing flattered
at his compliments more than other-
wise should
Jack Underwood came one night
when Mr. Butler was there, and laugh
ingly said he was going to tell Keith
who was out OF town-that, he
would have to look after me closely
or Mr.. Butler would steal me.
IT shall not ask you to come down
when people call if you are going to
call forth remarks as that of Jacks
tonight" Margaret said after they
left.
do have a sense of humor, Mar
garet!' L replied impatiently, Jack
was only fooling."
whether he was fooling or not
doesn't matter. 1 have noticed that
you try to attract Mr.. Buffers atten-
ton every time he calls. Please re-
member that he comes to see me, not
my brothers wife,
| I was furious. Never had I thought
| of any man save Keith. Yet as I re-
called what Margaret had said.
smiled to myself. I would get even
with her for some of the things she
!
/ Mr.. Butler in his attentions. There
could be no possible wrong, as we
would be where she could watch us all
the time. But it would make her an
cry, and that would help repay ne for
the many times had been wildly
angry with her, yet compelled to grin
and bear it,"
| 1 suddenly felt wild impulse to
show Margaret that 1 could attract
even man who was supposedly de-
voted to her. I would let her see that
1 could make him "sit up and take
notice even when her brilliant self
was around. Then I would quietly
let him know thatsI hadn't meant any,
thing, that was only fooling.
1t was a reckless and foolish i'm
pulse. But was only girl, and any
thing that looked like amusement or
adventure in my life appealed strongly
to me. Since Father Sanderson's
tdull for me.
The very next evening Mr.. Butler
called to bring Margaret a book she
had said she would like to read.
was in the library playing checkers
with Irene when he came Margaret
sent the children to bed and we three
sat talking. Mr.. Butler made a par
ticular audacious speech when Mar
:, garet. was hunting a photograph she
wished to show him. I dropped my
eyes demurely, then raised them
swiftly, suddenly, q. d-looked-with well
simulated shy mischief directly at him
then dropped them again. But as j
intended, Margaret had SEEN
I heard a swift little intake of heI
breath. Then she said:
Vera dear, will you please see that
little cold"
Il Certainly! Goodnight Mr.. Butler
and laughing to myself I ran upstairs
q Ivp al do
lighted at the angry look in Mar.
garets eyes, altho her tones had beer
her sweetest.
/ OF course I knew that Gloria die
not need my attention. Nevertheless
I slipped into the room occupied BY
the two little girls, and kissed then
both lightly SO that I would not wax,
them. 1 loved them dearly, and otter
have thought that had 1t not been fol
my love for them, theirs for me,
could not have endured my life, ever
for Keith's sake. But they were sucl
affectionate children, SO clever ant
bright, and were so evidently happ.
!, with me, that they often helped M
bear hard, unpleasant speeches from
their mother without answering back
Margaret had way of making mi
/ appear childish. My anger often ros
until rage almost choked me when sh'
J seemed to make little of my mem
tally, OF which she seemed to hav
>
were partly to blame. They were con
, stantly under tension, and the patron
age Margaret at times gave m
, threatened at times to snap them, s.
taut would they become.
The next morning at breakfast sh
said:
IT was surprised at you last night
{ Vera"
"Why? What did I do?" I aske,
: in as naive fashion as I could adopt
THE disgraoeful way you flirte
with Mr.. Butler"
: "Flirt with hint" I feigned sur
prise, "why I scarcely noticed him
I He goes out of his way to be nice I
e me you mean. No one could he'll
r noticing that" It Was catty speech
/ but I felt catty.
t EST hate to make Keith unhappy
r but I distinctly saw you make eyes
Mr.. Butler. If see it again shal
, feel it my duty to tell Keith"
made up my mind that Keit
should hear my version first.
/ (Tomorrow-vera forbidden to luncl
: at Durant's.)