The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-06
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
sALLIE Is AwI1D BY RECEPTION
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER II.

Margaret. this my sister, Sallie.
Sallie, Mrs. Dalton, Keith's, sister"
How do you do. Miss Clark, trust
you had a pleasant journey" Mar
garet said in her most stand -offish way,
extending just the tips of her fingers.
should have warned Sallie, but we
had talked so fast all the way from
the station that 1 had forgotten to tell
her what to expect from my frigid
sister-in-law.
I saw, that Saifie had been about to
kiss Margaret, and it was SO funny to
see her shrink back, and the look on
her face was so comical that l laugh
ed, aItho they both looked surprised.
Fortunately just then Irene and Gloria
heard US and came running out
This IS Sallie-Aunt Sallie, if your
mother is willing" 1 said. go
They both cuFtsied prettily, and
said they would like to call my sister
aunt.
II think it a good suggestion, Vera, .
Margaret looked at me frowning, still
wondering, 1 knew, at what had
Clark Aunt Sallie,' children" she fin
ished, then swept from the hall, where
we had been standing, into her room
and closed the door. Sallie and went
up to my apartment, after l had told
the clamoring children they might
come up in an hour, after Aunt Sal
lie' had bathed and dressed.
Mice pleasant woman, isn't she p
Sallie said when we were alone.
'Who?" asked, pretending.
81 trust you had pleasant jour-
ney," she mimicked Margarets tone
perfectly. the tips of her fingers ex-
tended toward me.
81 thought you were going to kiss
her, Sallie,'' 1 said laughing at her
comical expression and action.
so that was what you We're laughs
ing at! Well, I was! But it is a good
thing I didn't! My lips would have
been frozen solid. My goodness, kid,
how do you stand it's
"Wait and see.'' I wondered what
Sallie would think when she saw how
things really were, how little had to
say in my husbands home. TIE tell
the truth, I rather dreaded to have
her know I was not nearly as eager
to confide in her as had been before
she came.
Keith was lovely when he came in.
The little girls were both with us, and
Sallie had been telling them a story.
I'VE love Aunt Sailie,' Gloria said
shyly when Keith asked them what
they meant by bothering a guest.
"And I love them, Keith"
"They are rather nice kids-at
times, ne leaSed-
How nice Keith isl" Sallie whisp-
cred when he left us to doll up as he
called it, for dinner; 81 think you are
very fortunate, the baby of the family,
to get so nice a husband"
$50 do I! Keith is a love- But as
I said it sighed. 1 couldn't help re-
membering that he was also rather
difficult at times.
At dinner everything went smoothly.
I tried to be as tactful as possible, and
altho Margaret made one or two re-
marks that caused Saliie to look
queerly. I paid no attention. After
dinner Keith said:
what shall we do, Sallie? Or are
you too tired with your journey to
want to do anything ?''
81 am not tired at all, Keith. shall
be delighted to do anything you sug-
! gest."
'I might be able to get tickets"-
ct think you have forgotten,
Brother. that you promised to take
me to the opera tonight. We have our
| tickets" Margaret's voice was like
| ice.
perhaps we might secure two more
seats, or did you get three?"
Mo- could not get three good
ones, SOL got them for you and me.
! 1t is my favorite opera, you know. and
| of course could not endure to hear it
at disadvantage
| citement over Sallie,s coming, but now
| l recalled that Keith had asked Mar
garet to get three seats for the opera
that week. He of course had intended
| to take me with him also.
s"Don't let my coming disarrange
your plans" Sallie remarked coolly
Really her voice almost matched Mar
garet's for chilliness-
I'VE dc not intend to. Miss Clark.
My brother and I are very fond of
music. You and Vera can visit You
doubtless have much to talk about"
Indeed we have, Mrs. Daieon."
Sallie's tone was suspicious. but Mar
garet seemed not to notice, and soon
we were alone
Shades of our grandmother I'd
cut my throat or hers if I was in your
place. Vera. How con you stand II
I'd like to see sister walk off with a
| husband of mine in that way, It's a
good thing Keith married the meek
one of the family"
ct o m 0 r w-Exchanging Conf
dences.)