The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-12
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN SHOOTS CRAPS WITH HER
PLAYMATES.
BIZ ZANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 10.

PLAYMATES.
CHAPTER ID.
That rose sweater, innocent enough
in itself, had awakened something new
and urgent in Margaret Hayden In
proof she had laid it conspicuously
over the chair which Ironted her
left for school.
All the time she was combing her
hair she could see the becomingness
of it as she leaned against the rosi-
ness. Just that made her look years
younger, she thought idly. That
morning when she marketed, she
bought new shades for her candles.
were of the same delitable shade of
were of the same delectable shade of
had again carefully put away in
Joan's closet where it belonged.
Margaret had relinquished her
youth. but all suddenly she was cling
ing desperately to the attributes of,
youth. It shocked, it troubled her.
Yet try as she would she could not
shake free from the desire, nor could
she forget the honest admiration of
Gloria and Malcolm at Joan's party.
."They are nothing but children,
pleased to see me in "a bright color,
She said to herself, knowing they had
really noticed a difference in her, or
they would not have mentioned her
appearance at all.
what pretty shades, Mumsie!"
Joan exclaimed when she came in
'They will make me look nice. I read
the other day thtat rose shades always
were becoming"
pale" Margaret returned. joan was
rather inclined to paleness, especially
when tired in which she resembled
her mother. So Margaret was safe
from criticism in saying what she did
altho she flushed guiltily at the sub
terfuge.
Some way Margaret realized that
between her and joan there would
be always conflict. She had allowed
Joan to grow UP with new standards,
new ideas, different manners. Super
ficially they seemed to have a totally
different System of morality; a diff
ferent standard of living. Smoking,
going unchaperoned to dances and
other parties, liberty of selecting their
own reading matter, of attending all
plays-an seemed commonplace to
Joan, as young is she was. But often
Margaret was very shocked
Yet in no way had she shown her
feeling to Joan. Always when the
child seemed on the verge OF com
hitting some improperly the moth
danger, and tactfully allow her to be
lieve she herself had changed her
own northumberland.
Margaret had been generous with
Joan in the matter of an allowance.
But in this she had been bit more
the arbiter than in other things
1--WE aren't wealthy, Joan, altho If
we are careful we have enough. You
may do exactly as you like with what
I allow you. But you must not run in
debt or ask for more"
"All right, Mumsie!' Joan had
knnUiTp her allow
ance exceeded that of most her young
friends.
For a time all went well. Joan
bought sundaes, ice cream and candies
for herself and occasionally treated
the others. Once in blue moon she
bough tickets to the moving pictures
she cared very little for them,
much to her mothers delight
Then one afternoon-it was Sat
urday and Joan was at home from
tering and laughing on the porch.
After a time she looked out. Sew
eral of the girls and boys were with
Joan and they were shooting craps,
for all the world like a parcel of
southern 6arkies, or New York news
boys-betting their nickels like little
fiendsl
Shocked, Margaret withdrew with
out being seen. Here was new prob
lem. She had told Joan she could
do exactly as she pleased with her
allowance. Evidently she pleased to
shoot craps.
She studied over 1t a few moments,
then fell back upon an unfailing de-
vice. She enlisted Hannah's aid, and
made lemonade and sandwiches.
There were delicious cakes in the
house, so armed with the cooling
drink, Hannah following with sand
witches and cakes, Margaret again ap-
preached the excited group
Can you interrupt your good time
long enough to eat?" she asked.
Indeed we can, Mrs. Hayden"
Lonnie Carpenter returned.
See. Mumsie! I won most every
time 1 have almost doubled my al
lowance." Joan held out her fist full
of nickels and dimes.
Someone must feel rather as II
you had too much"
ST won it fair and SQUARED"
eyes dear, of course you did. Come
now and play hostess"
They f1ocked about the porch table
all talking at once. Margaret listened
a moment, then left them to their own
devices, sure there would be no more
gambling that afternoon, as Joan evil
IDENTIFY had attached the greater part
of the cash her guests had brought
with them.
What shall I do about it-Joan
must not gamble" To Margarets
New England sensibilities, Joan would
soon be confirmed IN the habit If she
could not devise some way to stop the
indulgence.
(Tomorrow-Joan receives q iesson.)