The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-19
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
MOTHER SANDERSON COMES
HOME
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter IA.

Chapter IA.
would follow Erma's advice and
do all I could to compel Keith to
give me a home of my own. Yet what
to do more than I already had done
was a question. I had begged him at
times, at others had wept and pleaded
my unhappiness with Margaret. I had
said I would be satisfied with two
rooms--he had laughed at that, and
told me he wouldn't be IL would,
that he had not been brought up to
live that way. In fact, I had tried
every argument of which 1 could
think to Influence him: Yet his an
swer was always the same:
IT have promised Margaret never
to leave her. shall keep my prom
ise."
That he had no idea of marrying
when he made the promise seemed to
make no difference. I told him felt
like an inSerloper. that I had none of
the freedom, the rights, a wife should
have in her own home, and he replied:
THAT is becaus~ you take the atti-
tude you do. If you acted like a sis
ter to Margaret, instead of antagoniz
ing her I am sure you would find your
home as happy as any other" Then
he added. LAS 1 have told you every
time this discussion comes up, most
girls your age would be only too glad
to live SO comfortably, and easily
without any care or responsibility"
II should love responsibility for
you and June"
you imagine so now, but il you
had it you would feel quite different.
1t is no easy matter to run a home
and run it we'll Margaret is a won
der in that line" He invariably ended
with some good word for Margaret.
It is not to be wondered at, in
view of our frequent arguments on the
subject. that 1 scarcely knew how to
fr7in 17Sv ~ frN,s
a home of my own. I had used June,
tried to make Keith think it would be
better for her, but that also had failed.
Was there anything new under the
sun I could plead to win him over p
felt like going to Mr.. Butler and
begging him to marry Margaret. ALI
sorts of wild and impossible schemes
came into my mind. Yet the days and
weeks passed and nothing feasible
came to me.
One morning Keith received letter.
His mother would be back the fol-
lowing week. She asked him to tell
Mrs Brown, the housekeeper. so she
would be ready for her. 1 was de-
lighted that she was returning. Per-
haps I could go down to Hillsdale,
take June, and stay a while with hes'.
1 almost spoke of it. so keen was my
desire, but restrained myself. If Mar
garet saw my eagerness she would
surely plan so that could not go.
Keith always ran upstairs after
breakfast to bid June goodbye, and
invariably followed him. He still
allowed Margaret to have the last
word. the last kiss. When we were
alone with baby, I said:
your mother loves children. Per-
haps she will like me to bring June
down and stay with her a little
while"
"Of course she wilIp' Keith an
have to be down there a good deal
this spring, and it will be a change
for you"
I said no more. I did not want
Keith to speak of it to Margaret, not
at once. He would, naturally soon.
go the moment 1 knew her mother
was coming home she would do
something to preYent-surely If she
knew Keith would be with me.
II seemed to me that my days were
a strange sort of hodgepodge filled
with happiness when with my baby,
hatred when where Margaret was,
worrisome thoughts when alone.
saw more of Keith because after I
had gone to the club there seemed
no real reason why I should not go
other places with him. But Margaret
did not have so many parties. She
said the season was about over. 1
felt sure it was because would have
to go. When she entertained at
home she invariably had an odd num-
Der and so sent Keith home with
Mrs. De Lisle.
why don't you ask an even num-
Der. Margaret?r I questioned one
day. Then Keith would not have to
go out"
Jealous because he takes Alice
homer" she laughed.
mo. But I don't think it quite
fair to Keith to make him go home
with her every time. He gets up
early you know"
Has Keith complained7'
mo. he wouldn't. of course
"Then L wouldn't worry about It.
I knew it was jealousy. But until
Keith complains which he won't do
you may be sure, I shall ask him to
escort sAlice' home" Her tone was
indescribable when she said Keith
wouldn't complain. 1t was as tho he
loved to take Alice De Lisle home
because he loved her.
This -tone which she had OF late
adopted made me the more anxious to
get away, to have a home of my own.
Without saying it, she made me feel
1 was losing Keith. That he no longer
cared for me-that he loved Alice De
Isle.
(Tonorrow-Keith goes away for ten
days.)