The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-18
THE REVOLT OF
VERA SANDERSON
VERA LEFT HOPEFUL.
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 100.


When I told Keith he had also
grown older, he smiled rather sadly
and replied:
II have had a great deal to bear
since you left, Vera. Things have
been so unsettled at home. Your leav-
ing as you did, has caused me to be
constantly on my guard to prevent
gossip
1 ionged to say. "But Margaret is
happy now that 1 am gone" but bit
my lip to keep back the words. Keith
went on:
! You made it harder for me than
YOU know, Vera. Ny fear for you, my
despair over Margaret, all have seemed
unbearable- l want you, now that L
have seen you again, even more than
l did before. l will go back and see
what l can do; what / can arrange for
US, to make you happy-and not break
Margaret's heart"
! Has it never occurred to you,
! Keith, that a wife should have a
greater claim then a sister? Would
/ Margaret, if she had a husband, treat
! him as you did me, for your sake?''
1 N:d not wait for an answer. but
called Mrs. Aidrich in and we three
talked until time for supper. Keith S
! train left at O'Clock, so he remained
! to supper with US, and afterward
walked to the station with him, lean
! ing on his arm.
He and Mrs. Aldrich had seemed TO
take to each other at once. They
talked very earnestly during the meal
and listened, my heart full. Keith
/ had given me no assurance that he
would make a home for me, yet L felt
that in some way we would come
together. 1t was the first. time 1 had
, felt any SUI ETY. in this respect, and it
affected me strangely.
! A peace such as 1 had not expert
enced for years came over me.
All will come right now 1 whis-
pered as Keith took me in his arms
before he boarded the train. and
promised to be back in just a week.
! 1 walked on air back to the cot
tage.
Mrs. A1drich was waiting for me,
and until far into the night we talked
of Keith, his visit and what it might
mean in my life.
Il liked your husband, dear" Mrs.
Aldrich said after a time. He is
something as I had imagined him. yet
IdifferentTmore strength of character
than I supposed"
He has strength of character
enough" L smiled rather bitterly.
Yes, but I mean the right kind OF
strength. 1t isn't every man-ever
| tho he has seen himself in the wrong
will admit it to two women. He real
ICES now that he should have provide ed
you with home or remained unmar-
AACU uIlAA 1AS COOl0 1neI
| think his sisters actions may have
| helped rather than hindered your
cause. She has evidently acted very
selfishly, not considering him at all.
she never did consider him! 1t was
always self, self, all the tinei" I broke
in passionately.
| 1t comforted me that Mrs. Aldrich
had seen Margaret in her true charac-
ter, and from what Keith, not II had
| said. l wanted very much that she
! should approve of me, of. what I had
done. l cared more for her good opin-
ion than for that of anyone in the
world. She had taken me in on faith.
had given me a home love and trust,
when 1 most needed them.
HE will find a way now, dear child
but you must be patient. A man can
not deal with such a. situation in a
moment. It is a good suggestion he
made"
"what-which one?" I had forgot
ten everything irrelevant, or that
| considered so because of the greater
fact-my husbands desire for me, his
love.
ITO travel bit and then come back
| to your own home. It would prevent
gossip and make it easier for you all.
But there is time enough to discuss
Try and rest, you look very tired, and
very happy"
al am, both!' I threw my arms
about her neck and kissed her fondly
II love you next to him!' 1 told her,
as she returned my careSs.
and love you, my dear child.
never had a daughter of my own.
feel that in you I have found one"
81 shall love to be a daughter to
! you, to take daughters place as far
as can. My own mother doesn't
1 @A.11=-.z-az1..ass.