The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-14
THE NEW
GENERATION
A sCATHING DENUNoIATToN.
By JANE PHELPS


Chapter 81.
Margaret's next visit to Joan was
made unannounced. She suddenly
longed to see her daughter, and acting
on impulse she took taxi to her
rooms.
TIL surprise her! I'll not be an
nounced" she declared as the taxi
lurched and careened along in the way
New York cabs have a way of doing
She dismissed the cabman and
quietly climbed the stairs. She heard
voices, and heSitated moment before
rapping. In that moment she heard
her name, Joan was talking to some
one about her. Scarcely realizing that
The door was not closed tightly and
the young criapde voice was plainly
audible.
She isn't my mother any more; I
feel that L should be introduced just
as I would to a stranger. I hate it
ALI" the voice suddenly grown angry.
1T is too bad, Joan. But don't take
it SO to heart. You can live your own
life apart from her. You are fortunate
in having money of your own. 1t
means a lot when things go wrong"
A pungent smell of cig.ret smoke
drifted thru the tiny opening in the
door. The voice which Margaret
recognized as Marthy Hardy's ceased.
There was silence for a moment, then
Joan said:
"And the worst of it is she'll marry
that Forester. I know it! Think Of
giving me a stepfather-at my age.
Mothers too old to marry again even
if she does claim to be young, He's
put all that in her head I'll bet my
boots" The -eiteration of that she
made Margaret smile, at the same
time that she wiped her ewes at the
SP9fhfno n
and words. .
Il thought he seemed very niee-he
was good-looking anyway" Martha
returned.
ooh, he's good looking enough. but
I hate him. The idea of irving to
win me over with flowersi He must
think 1 am a weak minded creature.
I'll show him am not. He can take
my mother from me-" her voice
nroke, but he can't make me q party
Margaret crept quietly away.
She walked blocks before a. taxi
passed her, then she hailed it and went
directly home.
TN see no onaC' she told Hannah.
mot Mr.. Forester? He was here
and said he'd eme back
NO, not even himl I want to be
alone"
Old Hannah left her muttering.
"She seen Miss Joan and some
things happened. I'll bet Miss Joan
said cross things about him." Him,
with Hannah, always meant Craig
Forester.
Alone in her room Margaret tried
to think what was best to do; what
she could do.
st can't marry Craig. I shall lose
my baby if 1 do" she said aloud.
''Why does she hate the idea so in
tensely? She knows am all alone"
Tears of self pity, of longing fell from
MaFgaret's eyes. But the longer she
considered what she had heard the
more surely did she see that she could
never marry while Joan felt as she
did
"She isn't my mother any morei" that
sentence rang In her ears. 1t was the
the brilliant young mother she had
become.
But I'll not go back to that life!
Not even for her. I'll give up Craig"
sob died in her throat and she went
white. She had given Craig Forester
the only real love Of her life. It would
be hard to let him go.
Until late afternoon she fought her
battle of loves.
Joan pitted against Craig Forester.
And Joan won.
It was o'clock when Margaret
called her daughter on the telephone.
Come down and have dinner with
me, dear. I am alone and need cheer
ing up. Hannah will have everything
you like"
you are going to be a1one?"
"Yes-alI alone"
''Then III come" Joan answered
(Tomorrew-Joan decides to live in a
studio.)