The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-19
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
BY JANE RHELPS
A WEEK OF UNREST.
Chapter 101. -.

A WEEK OF UNREST.
Chapter 101 4s+t
In spite of what Mrs. Aldrich had
said and my own determination, I
passed dreadfuIly wearing week
One moment I was full of hope, the
next almost despairing. don't
know why I expected to hear from
Keith, but when day after day passed
and no word came, no slightest mes
sage, the disappointment was almost
more than 1 could bear.
'He is coming, so thinks a letter
unnecessary, and perhaps he has not
made his arrangements yet.' Mrs.
-A1drich tried to comfort me.
But I refused to be comforted.
looked upon his silence as bad omen,
altho I knew thim so well-knew his
inclination to take it for granted that
one understood his motives. He. hated
letter writing, too. and was busy. All
these things I repeated to myself, but
still the disappointment grew.
But the longest week must have an
end. And the morning of the day we
expected Keith came at last. I begged
to be allowed to get the supper we
hoped he would share with US, and
Mrs. Aldrich consented. Every
single thing that we would have I
prepared. It helped pass the hours.
But before his train was due I dressed
and, unable to wait calmly, walked
to the station to meet him.
The look of surprise and pleasure
on his face when he saw me caused
me to flush and tremkle. He must
love me a little to look so glad, I
thought as he came toward me-
He bent and kissed me regardless
of the old station master standing in
the door, and the three or four pas
sensers who had alighted at the little
town. Then we walked UP the street
together, my heart once more singing
for joy, my fears for the moment
forgotten. 49,
We talked little before supper as
he was to STAY at the little country
inn over night Then when Mrs.
Aldrich had left US, shut in the little
living room with it's honey atmos-
phere, Keith said:
ST have done the best could. Vera,
under the circumstances 1 hope it
will be enough. And, Vera, wish
could make you understand that in
was deliberate. Circumstances a
mans stupidity, my promise to- my
sister, all have combined to make up
the count against me"
waited. Anxious as I was TO be
with him. much as I loved him. I
had taken. I must know just what
he proposed to do with me before 1
answered.
Il have found an apartment Vera.
have moved in the things you cared
for, leaving the heavy Furniture for
Margaret You can get what you like
to take their place-waitn"s Il. wa
about to speak, 81 have made Mar
garet another pEomise, one that I must
keep. I have agreed to spend every
Sunday afternoon and evening with
her, also one evening during the week
r., N7.,f7 Ii1y 2un will try
and visit her whenever we can or she
wishes Us to, but those times I have
promised to hold solely for her"
THAT is all I ask, Keith--a home.
and you the greater share of the time. =
He had tried to please me, I would
take what he had offered as happily
as possible.
do you know" said an hour later
after we had talked over our plans for
the future. that I thought you would
not care if you never saw me again,
if never came back. I thought you
cared for Alice De Lisle. Margaret
always tried to make me think you
did"
"Afice De Lfsle and have been
good friends. I have been sort OF a
father confessor for her the last year.
She is to marry a man I have always
known, but fof reasons of their own
they have kept tssecret. It has helped
her bear the separation TO talk about
him to me. He has been in Europe
on government business most of the
time since the close of the-war."
"And I was SO jealous of her" 1
murmured
Poor foolish gir11" The words were
nothing, but when he drew me close I
sensed they meant that he understood
Never allow yourself to be jealous
again, Vera. And try to think kindly
of Margaret. I am afraid she will be
difficult at first. But what she does
is for love of me-
land love of herself" felt like say
ing but did not. Now that Keith had
conceded so much, it was no part of
my plan to make him uncomfortable
by being disagreeable.
When he kissed me good night and
left for the hotel he said:
This shall be our last parting, Vera.
Your home shall be ready when 1
come for you next week"
l had refused to go back even for
a day into the home from which had
fled because Of my unhapptness.
would remain where I was until he
had removed all of his belongings, and
had let Margaret see that he really
meant to live with me, not with her,.
Tomorrow home at last)