The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-16
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON.
vERA WRITES KEITH WHERE
0HI ID
Chapter 90
By JANE PHELPS

Chapter ss
Night had begun to wrap me in
its dusky folds when Mrs. Aldrich
came up to me.
At first the reading of the letter
had brought great Joy to me. But
did, that it was as Margaret's brother
Keith was coming-not as a husband
who loved me and was willing even
to offend her to get me back.
He had promised not to ask me to
return except on my own terms. and
asked me to talk things over with him
that was all. Not much in that to
encourage me. to make me feel happy.
The rush of joy. had died away, Even
his declaration of love at the end Nof
his letter now failed to bring me more
than a throb' of happiness. He knew
loved him: he thought if he saw me
he could persuade me to go back to
the old life with Margaret.
These were the thoughts in my
mind when Mrs. Aldrich, anxious be-
cause of my long absence. my silence.
came up to see if everything was right
with me.
You are all right. my child?" she
asked
yes. I am all right" My voice
sounded muffled. far away.
DOWN." ~
/ "Of counsel How selfish 1 am"
Usually I helped with the evening
meal, the old-fashioned cold supper
of small town people.
mo you aren't selfish. There are
times when we must give ourselves
privacy, when we must be alone" She
put a protecting arm about my waist
as we went down the stairs into the
softly lighted dining room with its
daintily set table.
"Will you read it after supper?"
laid the letter beside her plate.
GLADLY, if you wish"
Then all thru the meal she chatted
quietly of other things-a book she
had been reading, something she had
ing paper, other things which would
take my mind from my own affairs.
When we had finished supper
cleared away, after making Mrs
Aldrich comfortable in the little sit
ting room The work done, 1 joined
you read it?" The open letter
laid on the table under the reading
lamp.
yes, twice"
What do you thing?"
Your husband loves you, Vera"
But he loves his sister more. He
makes no promises to do as I ask
and Mrs. Aldrich, 1 never shall give
in. will not go back unless it is to
a home of my own"
Shall you see him-as he requests?
His mother would want you to"
she was always Kind to me. I
think she loved me little. Yes
I think / will see him. I am not
afraid to now. At first I was fright
ened that 1 could not resist him, his
pleading, should he ask me to return.
But now 1 know that even my love
can never compel me to live in the
same house with Margaret Dalton.
The peace. the comfort 1 have had
here with you has made me strong; 1t
has also let me see what a. home can
be--as Ermas did when 1 used to see
her and Jim SO happy together. Yes.
he may come"
II am very glad YOU have decided
to talk with him" Es
1T is hard to tell him things I
musingly replied. He is dignified.
and undemonstrative--where ! am
concerned. He was not so with his
sister She would lee him be. tried
to get up courage to talk to him so
many times. But 1T was only when /
became so desperate that my talk
ended In a quarrel, that 1 said any
thing"
Poor child We are all apt to
hold things in our hearts-jf we are
proud; hold them too long at times.
Perfect confidence and faith in each
other is the only rock upon which
married happiness can be built. Not
tnat Wile Shoulo De eNcriaStlnBly
Fostering her husband about little
things. Put anything that affects
their relations to each other should
be of mutual interest. I am glad you
are to see your husband. I still be-
lieve all will come right between you"
II wish 1 had your faith" 1 re-
turned sadly as I babe her good
night, and taking my letter from
Keith, went up to my room.
I wrote several letters to Him, only
to tear them up. Finally 1 said:
Come when you will. You will
find me here"-tEen 1 added the
address.
My sleep that night was disturbed
with dreams of Keith. He had come,
and left. Things were the same as be-
fore. Margaret, a big. ugly exa gger-
ated Margaret, held him by a strong