The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-29
THE NEW
GENERATION
Blu JANE PHELPS
A SURPRISE IS PLANNED FOR
MARGARET.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 81,


Hannah was duly instructed to
double the quantity of cookies to be
sent Joan, and Margaret wrote her a
long letter cordially inviting Martha
Hardy to spend the vacation with
Joan.
"I know Joan thinks my invitation
unnecessary, but Martha may be more
comfortable if the mistress of the
house asks her." she said laughing
quietly as she wondered what the girls
would say when they found her home
to be in New York, and no plans made
for vacation in the country.
Unable to analyZe the whim that
seized her, Margaret determined to
wear her newest and most becoming
frock to tea with Mrs. Walters that
afternoon. 1t was rose and gray
dress, not the simple one she had worn
when with Craig Forester, and which
at that time she had considered almost
too elaborate for her age, but cling
ing gauzy affair of chiffon which made
her look years younger than she was,
and accumulated the lines of her
youthful figure.
She wore a broad brimmed black
hat of Spanish design, the dropping
lace giving her piquant features an
added attractiVeneSS.
How charming you look, Mar
garrett, Mrs. Walters said in greeting.
How did you know I had a surprise
for you?"
"A surprise?"
Yes" Just then from a shadowy
corner of the room Craig Forester
arose and came with both hands ex-
tended to Margaret. II told Craig he
wasn't to call you up or let you know
he was in town-that 1 wanted to sur
prise you. No one else is coming so
for once we will have him to our
Selves
Margaret realized with a blush that
Forester still held her hands. With
a slight laugh she drew them away,
which pass between people who
haven't seen each other for a long
time.
How are you? Have you enjoyed
your trip? We are delighted to see
you back" and SO forth ad infinit1m.
over the tea, however, they became
quite friendly again, almost as they
had been at the seashore the year be-
fore Suddenly Forester asked Janet:
When do you expect Baker back?"
It's just week now since 1 heard,
he was then on his way. AS he was
in the interior of Africa it will be
him.
And when is the wedding-if it is
permissible to ask ?''e
wv di4lll dlLST HIS re-
turn was SO uncertain we made no
plans."
Margaret was almost overcome be-
cause of the feeling of gIadness this
| conversation caused her. She knew
hudson Baker was away upon some
sort of an expedition Che was a coll
lector of curios), but Janet had
been singularly uncommunicativeabo
him, and Margaret had hesitated to
ask questions fearing to hurt Janet.
She had imagined that either For
roster had been mistaken when he
| told her Janet intended to marry
Baker; or that the engagement had
| been broken
1t was strange how her spirits rose
| after she knew she had been mistaken;
strange how much happier she felt
| She had Joan's letter in her bag, and
upon Forrester's inquiring after her,
and expressing himself as being very
fond of ner despite her impudent dis
like of him, Margaret read them what
Joan had said of Martha Hardy, fol-
lowed by her request for cookies.
81 anticipate great deal of pleas
ure when 1 meet Joan's new friends, -
| she said when they stopped laughing.
81 am almost crazy to see her and
| them"
81 should imagine you might be-"
! Forester returned. Margaret had
| shamelessly told him her whole story
| from beginning to end. Her rebellion
| against Joan's idea that she was old;
her rebellion against age itself: her
determination to live as she saw other
people of her age living in spite of the
| fact that she had a grown daughter
who classed her with the decrepit and
aged.
II told you long ago you were moth
| ing but child. You are a child.
fascinating and adorab' There
have made YOU bIushi Now YOU look
more like a child than ever. May 1
come and see that playhouse in which
you have decided to take your dolls?''
| Indeed you may. 1t is lovely"
mot as lovely as its mistress"
| Janet insisted upon keeping Mar
garet to tea. The next day Craig For
roster would dine with her.
1--WE done my part" Janet Walters
soliloquized, 1.-The rest is on the knees
| of the gods"