The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-27
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
VERA RETURNS UNEXPECTEDLY
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter SIS

VERA RETURNS UNEXPECTEDLY.
Chapter SIS
Keith received me warmly, and
seemed glad to have me back with
him.
Father isn't much better" I told
him in answer to his inquiries, but
couldn't stay away from you any
longer. 1 promised to go back If they
needed me-
1 thought Keith looked rather tired
and told him so.
Il haven't had enough sleep late
~" he explained. II have been rum
ming down in the country too often
1 guess. I have to get up very early
to get to the office in time. I told
Margaret I would only be down for
week-ends hereafter, that 1 would stay
at the club the rest~of the time"
II wish might stay at the club
with you" =
TOO bad you can't. Women not
allowed, you know"
When we drove up to the house
Gloria and Irene ran out to greet me,
! shouting a welcome. 1t was some
to see me, and 1 went into the house,
very pleasant country home, with
one hanging on each arm.
Margaret and Alice De Lsle were
sitting in the big reception room and
Margaret greeted me by saying: your
father must be very much better to
allow of your return so promptly"
This was preceded by a cool, ''1ow-de-
do, Vera"
He is slightly better" I replied.
then answered Mrs. De Isles ques-
ton about my journey. 1 then ex-
cused myself and asked Keith to show
me our room. 1t was Friday and he
would remain with me over Sunday.
What a nice big room!" I ex-
claimed. Then, 'T did not know one
could get board in such houses"
The woman who runs this is an old
friends of Alice's. She lost her money
in some way but still owns this old
house. She fills it every summer.
Her prices are rather steep, but it is
very comfortable here"
We chatted in a desultory way while
dressing for dinner, and Keith told
me much I longed to know. Not that
| he deliberately explained anything,
| but he dropped a little here and there
that showed me how he had spent his
time, and also what Margaret and
Alice De Lisle had done.
More than ever was I sure that
Margaret had laid her plans to throw
| Mrs. De Isle and Keith together
The widow played golf, of which Keith
| was very fond, and Margaret was not,
so they spent long hours, especially on
Saturday and Sunday on the links,
MrsA De Isle was a good sailor, and
she and Keith had sailed two different
Sundays-sailed the entire day alone.
Margaret said it was too rough for
| her." Keith had replied when
asked II Margaret had gone, you
know she isn't very good sailor
But nothing feazes Alice. And she
/ knows how to sail a boat nearly as
well as do"
I shivered as thought of the long
days they had spent together in the
close proximity necessary on q small
| boat; the companionship it implied.
4! Margaret had ordered them a won
derful luncheon, and they had re-
manned out until darkness drove them
| in.
ct would have slept on the boat had
I been alone, or had it been a man
with me instead of Alice" he said
| just as the dinner bell rang.
That simple sentence comforted me
as II the fact of being on the water
was what had intrigued him, not her
| society.
Margaret plainly showed her cha
grin at my unexpected arrival. Keith
| had not told of my message which ]
| naturally had sent to his office. SO she
was surprised to see me.
'1t is too bad Margaret didn't know
you were coming, Vera" Keith said
when he had talked to her few mo-
ments after dinner.
"Why?"
| "Sbe has a small bridge party
planned for tonight, only two tables
and either you or she will have to
| look on"
Let it be me-" replied.
THAT is unselfish of you" he re.
Piled, and 1 knew it was settled; that
it had been before he had spoken tc
me.
| The tables were filled by people
| from the house, and for a time
| looked on, then 1 went upstairs to the
room occupied by the children. II
was a warm night and thought they
| would be awake.
They were delighted to see me, and
1 told them about my trip, detailing a
humorous incident that occurred or
the train.
I'm glad you've come back, Aunt
Vera. I don't like Mrs. De Isle, and
she takes Uncle Keith away from US
all the time. The year before he mar
ried you he used to go swimming with
us, and take us sailing. This year he
doesn't know we're alive" 1t was the
quiet Irene who grumbled thus, max
ing It the more impressive.
(Tomorrow - Eavesdropping - and 6
telephone message.)
II HIST FOLKS |