The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-17
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE PHELPS
KEITH VISITS VERA.
~ JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 90,

/
The days that followed were hectic
ones. I could set myself at nothing.
1 took long walks hoping to tire my
| self so that could sleep. I insisted
upon doing more of the household
work than usual. I read only to
I sewed only to fling my work down
ana try to read. My mind was in a
| hopelessly chaotic state.
And Mrs. Aldrich let me alone.
1 wonder if you, who read my story,
| know what that meant to me? No
questions, no suggestions, just a quiet,
calm looking after me. without fuss
or talk, an errand to give me a
| chance to get out, a special dish to
/ tempt my appetite. If only there
were more like her in the world
During that week of stress and wait
| ing made up my mind to try to be
as near like her as could.
Upon my return from one of my
long walks I found telegram on my
! desk. 1 opened it with trembling
! fingers: 1t was from Keith.
will be with you the 5th.''
Involuntarily I glanced at the cal
endar. 1t was the 4th-only "a
hoursi
All suddenly I became frightened.
Suppose I should find 1 was not as
strong to resist him as 1 nad thought
myself? Suppose he begged me to
return and live with Margaret, prom
Using me relief in other ways? Would
L be able to tell him I had not
| changed my mind: that what I had
demanded must be mine if eve- was
again his wife?
That was the longest day, the long
est night of my life.
OF course Mrs. Aldrich knew he
was coming.
I was in my room when the depot
wagon stopped at the gate. I pulled
nVSplf fnQafhar
meet him @is
Mrs. Aldrich had answered his
ring, and he stood before her, hat in
hand, when I reached the door. Was
1t Keith? He looked thin and wora,
and there were streaks of gray over
his temples that had not been there
when I left. - -
''Verai"
viii you come in, Keith ?" I asked.
as Mrs. Aldrich, unaccountabIy dis
He followed me into the little par
Tor. raised the shades, and 1no-
toned him to a chair.
He held out his arms
In moment was folded to his
| breast. his kisses on my hair words
OF endearment falling upon my ears.
For moment I yielded myself to tine
JOY of it. Then I wrenched myself
away. ' sci
''Sit down, Keith" said stilted;v.
my voice unsteady.
Without word he let me go, then
seated himself
Vera, is your decision irreyoca BILE /?
WIN you never return to me If we
live with Margaret-poor girl" he
added.
1T is! I would rather die right
here and now than go back to the he'll
L lived II as your wifel''
Was il as bad as that, Vera ?''
PdrCOp me Keith didn't
to use that word. Yet why not? IT
was nell from the beginning to the
end. Even my baby never was Quite
my own. Margaret interfered."
Mother left this for YOU He gave
me package.
-'She was always sweet and kind. .
| had laid the package on the table,
l would open it when alone. Perhaps
she had urged me to go back to Keith,
and it would make it still harder to
refuse, and God knew it was going TO
be hard enough with all the love for
him yelling in my heart.
Vera, you must come back to n,e.
can't live without you" Keith's
voice was husky.
Not unless you give me a home and
Husband, Keith. 1 never have had
either"
- 81 talked with Margaret, Vera. I
thought she would die. She went from
one hystericaI fit into another. She
will not release me from my promise
never. to leave her for another home.
If I go I shall have to break that
promise"
you also promised to love and
cherish me, to cling to me above all
| others, and"
II know" he interrupted Then
"Ie can make some sort of an al
range ment to see Margaret, to be with
har al stated times, will you come %
| 'If my home is ready for me. II I
am assured that 1, my reasonable
wishes come first with you. other
wise-I can't, Keith"
@Eou have ceased to love me.
| ve-a?"
81 have ceased to be willing to be
made miserably unhappy because of
my love, ceased to be willing to oc-
cupy second place in your affections
and your home. I love you-but love
can not endure what 1 endured and
still last
81 will talk to Margaret. May I
come back week from today2" Then.
You have grown older, Vera, won
der
so have you"
(Tomorrow-vera left hopefully