The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-13
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
THE PASSING OF A COOP MAN
BY JANE PHELPS

THE PASSING OF A GOOD MAN.
Chapter 43.
The doctor had been right. NY
hands were not at all SCARED. 1t
sounds like an awful thing to say,
but 1 believe Margaret would have
been glad If they had been. She told
several people who inquired after me
that I had carelessly burned myself,
saying nothing as to how it happened.
But all my sunhappiness. my dis
content. was put aside for time soon
after this. Dear Father Sanderson
was very i'll. I had gone out with
Keith when We first heard he was
dangerously sick, and the quiet house,
the nurse in her white uniform, moth
er so serious with anxious eyes, had
saddened me unspeakably.
Margaret had also gone down to
them for a day or two, but 1 could
not feel the relief her absence other
wise would have brought, because I
shared Keith's anxiety for his father.
Then after Margaret's return cher
father had seemed little better. she
said) we were wakened one night by
the ringing Of the telephone. Father
was worse. Indeed, they urged Keith
to hurry If he would see him alive.
Both Margaret and I wanted to go.
but he would not let me, and persuad-
ed Margaret to wait until morning.
His father had passed away about
ten minutes before Keith reached
home. But he was so glad he had
gone at once, and so was able to COM
fort his mother who broke down ut
terly She was frail, and they feared
for her.
sad days followed for us all, but
finally father was laid to rest, and
things went on apparently as before.
except that now Keith went out to
So. hfla
depriving us of as much of his So
ciety as formerly.
why don't we go out in Jersey
to live?' I asked at dinner one night
He had been late, and looked very
tired.
Because this is Keith's homer
Margaret snapped quickly.
TT would make it easier for you,
Keith" I went on, ignoring her in
terruption. Then, too, your mother
wouldn't feel so lonely if you were
in the same town, even tho you did not
live with her.
Did you not hear me say this was
Keith's home, and always will be?'
Margaret again took it upon herself
to answer.
81 was speaking to"
Margaret has told you this is my
home. We will continue to live here.
He did not speak angrily, scarcely as
if he knew what we had been talking
about. I felt conscience stricken. He
was grieving for his father, was worn
out and tored, and I had started
something" as Irene slangily said.
I. said no more, but the look on
Margaret's face irritated me almost
beyond my control. 1t as much as
said: See! I am the one to say what
you will do, even in serious matters
The next morning, before we went
down to breakfast, I said to keith:
'I would like to go out to see your
mother for day or two
Fine! Meet me at the station at 10
O'clock" he replied.
When at 10 O'Clock came down
MAY inquire where you are go
certainly. am going to visit your
mother for a couple of days"
You needn't think you will get
around mother with your deceitful
know howSyou try to set Keith against
his family. Father and mother both
made their wills years ago. You have
nothing to gain by chasing to Jersey
The thought of any gain for myself
from my visit to the old lady never
had entered my head. I was indig-
nant. Then, too, I was hurt that she
should say she had told mother had
tried to set Keith against them.
hadn't-yet. But as I hailed a taxi
ana rode to the station l vowed
would set him against Margaret If II
took me all my life long to do it.
You see I am honest in telling my
story. I knew even then that it was
small, beneath me, to deliberately
plan revenge for the Sights put upon
me. But had endured so many pin
pricks. so many larger hurts, that ]
was warped in my judgment; I want
ed to take things into my own hands
| instead of waiting for Him to make
them right.
I forgot my own particular cloud
had any silver lining, because of the
! evil thoughts that clouded my mind
Mother was delighted to see me and
remained two days with her. She
was planning to spend the winter with
her sister in California, and I helped
her pack and close the house. 1t was
delightful to feel I was of service tc
her. When I left to go back home
with Keith she said:
Vera, dear, remember that 1t takes
| two to make a quarrel, and in Gods
good time everything will work to.
gether for your good if you are sweet
and patient"
Margaret had told her something
but she had still been kind and LOVING
! to me.
| (Tomorrow-Vera the potential
| matchmaker)