The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-06
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE PHELPS
BY JANE PHELPS
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA.
CHARTER az.

A R1GHT AZ THE OPERA.
Chapter a..
Margaret was more disagreeable
than ever aftef my return. am sure
I was not mistaken when I thought
she had wished never would return.
But Gloria and Irene made much of
me. and told me they had missed me
something awful which cornforted
me little.
Margaret was giving a box party
at the opera, and to make the even
number had asked Jack Underwood
Gust back from a long trip abroad),
and Tom Benedict. She said disagree
ably:
"You can talk to Tom during in
PERMISSION. You are both about the
same age" 1t was wonder she did
not add, land the same degree of in
telligence." Her tone implied it.
When we arrived at the Metropoli-
tan opera house she went ahead with
Jack Underwood, Mrs. De Lisle and
Keith followed next, then Mr.. and Mrs.
Deland. Tom Benedict and brought
UP the rear.
Margaret and Mrs. De Lisle looked
perfectly Observation-Disclosures in her
favorite blue and silver. Mrs. De Isle
in a gown that looked like spun gold.
Mrs Deland was in lacy black, and I
wore my white. 1 had 1onged for a
| time even if Keith. rather Margaret,
had considered it necessary.
By the time they were all seated
but Tom and me, the two chairs that
we're evidently to be ours were SO
far back in the box, pushed SO behind
wouldn't be able to see at all.
I whispered to Tom:
I'VE can't see a thing!"
Not back here! Not room for
one let alone two. No chance with
| that bunch camped in front of us
waving those big FANS
\ 1--WE can ask them to lay their fans
down. I Indignantly replied.
By leaning forward until we nearly
| fell off our chairs We could catch an
occasional glimpse of a singer, and one
| corner of the stage. I dearly loved to
go to the opera, and loved music 1t
/ was torture for me to hear the talking
| about me, and not be able to see.
| Please, Mrs. De Lisle, will you
| lower your fan? 1t hides the singer
I whispered.
She lowered her fan at once with
a muttered apology but not before
! Margaret had given me an angry
glance, and even Keith had looked
annoyed.
! I did not know, because I could not
see. that Keith was welding the fan
when I spoke. He told me afterward.
When the curtain fell on the first
act breathed sigh of relief. Per-
| haps someone would offer to change
wasn't fair that should not see any
thing of the entire performance
| The lights flashed up on the crowd
ed house. A quick murmur of con-
versation, stirring of some in the
audience to greet their friends, then
the visiting in the boxes began, But
altho we had some callers, and Keith
and Jack Underwood left the box for
a. few moments, Margaret Unanswered
always to have Tom and me remain in
the background- But we could at
least see the people, and talk about
| them. The famous horseshoe tier,
ablaze with beautiful women wearing
| lovely gowns and priceless jewels, al
ways fascinated me. Tom pointed out
several celebrities of the fashionable
world, and Keith came over to US once
and spoke of some of the people he
I knaw.
Just as the preliminary crash of the
orchestra sounded said:
Tom and can't see a thing, Keith
up a Iittle?" But he had not heard,
and as the lights flashed off. and. the
curtain rose, he edged his way back
to the side of the widow.
Come on. let's sneak out to the box
Tom whispered, disgust in his voice.
I'VE can't expect to see a thing here.
| I'D love to, but I am afraid Mar
garet would feel insulted.''
| I'm going to ask her!" And be-
fore could stop him, Tom had leaned
over Margaret's shoulder. His whis-
per was plainly audible.
| I'VE cannot see, Mrs. Dalton. Do
you mind if I take Mrs. Sanderson
Unto the orchestra p,
mo, why should I 90 The answer
was impertinent, but Tom did not
seem to understand. I wished I might
attract Keith's attention, but that was
impossible without being too obvious,
SO I followed Tom from the box and
to the office.
'sWe were lucky!" Tom told me
"Some fellow just returned his Seats
1 enjoyed every moment of the rest
of the eveningA The seats were in
the center of the house. about the
eighth row. Just before the end OF
the final act saw Margaret stand in
the box. WAS she trying to get away
4 without us?
4 "Come! Come quickly" said pull
ing Tom after me, and making my
way to the box. just as the final cur
tain went down.
(Tomorrow-Keith tells Vera Of her
faux pas-)