The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-26
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
AN INVITATION DECLINED, THEN
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER %.

IA
ACCEPTED.
CHAPTER %.
The next day I again mentioned
X eth.
How old a man is her husband ?"
he asked.
About 23.'
They are as 1 was then, rather raw"
But you are only six or seven years
older"
zone learns a good deal in seven
years, Vera. See these friends if you
wish, but don't expected me to waste
much time with him 1 would be
bored"
But they aren't as young as I, and
you weren't bored with me- I in
sisted.
THAT is quite beside the question:
We won't discuss them, but do not
accept invitations without consulting
me-those that include me-
But you told Erma-"
Eyes, L know!" impatiently. But
one has to be polite, and then 1 had
no idea her husband would be so
young
Now you are peeved. Vera" But
just because he kissed me. and laugh
ed at me for being a child, I forgot
to be indignant and cuddled close in
made him angry, and 1 tried to hold
back the things I should have said If
it did not.
The very next morning Erma called
me up and asked US to dinner.
81 ann giving a small dinner next
week, Friday. Can you and your hus-
band Gomez"
mo, Keith has an engagement" 1
felt justified in telling the lie because
of custom, and also because I did not
=.
I'm So sorry! Another time then.
Tears were in my eyes when I hung
up the receiver. I did so want friends
of my own age, someone congenial: :.
The next day Margaret and 1 called
on Erma. She seemed so pleased to
see us, and wis SO sweet that 1 could
see Margaret was a bit taken with
her. She had a lovely apartment, so
daintily and attractively furnished,
and her tea and cakes were delicious
Margaret declared she would not be
able to eat any dinner, she had eaten
so many cakes.
st am so sorry you can't come to
dinner next week." Erma said when
we were leaving.
mo more sorry than I am" I re-
turned.
Erma turned to Margaret.
az hope you will come to dinner
some night with Vera and her hus-
band, Mrs. Dalton" :.
srThank you, I shall be charmed II
I have nothing to prevent" Margaret
had replied in her sweetest tones and
was at a loss to understand her I'M
til that evening 1 heard her say to
Keith:
'"That friend of Veras is an awfully
good cook. I think we must accept
her next dinner invitation"
1t was Erma'S cooking that mad
made Margaret so amenable, not Ern1a
herself. Margaret was rather or a
glutton in regard to food, and I used
to think it one reason she was so anx-
ious to keep us with her. She set a
very elaborate table, and made Keith
pay for it.
Every we'll, Margaret"
Keith had assented at once to Mar
garet's wish that they dine with Erma
and her husband. while mine had
been of no account. I bit my lip until
it bIed to keep from crying, or saying
things I should regret afterward.
Very soon after we were married
Keith let me understand he would
brook no questioning from me as to
his actions. So. altho he had dressed
before dinner. I had asked no ques-
tons
q shall be late" he said as he put
on his hat and coat. go to bed.
Vera" Then he kissed me, afterward
kissing Margaret.
1t had been only that day I had
first when he was leaving u.s. and me
last. But he had scolded me for be-
ing so- childish, and I knew had pur-
posely followed his regular habit of
giving her the last caress to punish
me.
After he left threw myself on the
bed and cried for an hour. He re-
fused to go to Erma's with me, then
because Margaret asked him, promised
willingly to go. He wouldn't even kiss
me goodbye last. He was afraid
Margaret might notice it and be hurt,
I thought--my heart full of bitterness.
He didn't care how much he hurt me,
he never had.
az won't stand it much longerI" I
walled. knowing perfectly well
| should stand anything rather than lose
Keith.
| (Tomorrow-Vera is not included.)