The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-27
THE NEW
GENERATION
Ru JANE PHET pc
MARGARET SEES JOAN ATOP
THE BUS.
By JANE PHELPS


Chapter So
Margaret had been in her home
only three days but already was so
in love with it that she mad con-
sidered selling her home before the
years grace she had asked for had
expired. Never would she want to
return to the colorless life she had
led for so many years.
She was strolling down Fifth
Avenue when she decided to so write
the people who had rented it, and
were so anxious to purchase. She
was pleasantly conscious that peo-
pie as they passed looked at her;
that some of them turned for a sec
ond look. She was wearing a smart
tailored suit fur trimmed aItho it was
early fall. She wore one deep pink
rose tucked in the front of her coat,
and small toque with wings of the
same shade. She looked exceedingly
smart-and knew it.
Why shouldn't she? She certainly
had paid enough for her costume, she
thought when she saw the approving
glances of the women who passed /; the
admiring ones of the men. 1t was nice
to be correctly gowned, hated, and
booted. 1t gave one confidence.
what stunning woman!" she
heard one of two women say as they
passed her. And the .ungrudging ad-
miration in the voice of one of her
own sex made her happy. 1t is an
axiom that women seldom give ex-
preston to real admiration of another
woman.
As Margaret emerged from one of
the shops a bus passed. There was
something familiar about one of the
occupants of the front seat atop. She
looked again, then as she told Janet.
'ducked into the store again. It was
Joan. Not yet was Margaret ready to
let her daughter know she was in
R11k Of he
doorway she watched the bus until it
was out of sight, longing to run after
it, and clasp Joan in her arms causing
her eyes to mist, her heart to beat
more quickly.
THE dear! The little dear" she
said softly to herself as she resumed
her walk. ST wonder what she would
have said had she seen me? That
was sweet looking girl with her,
nice and sensible looking. I'm simply
see her, but I won't give in to the
feeling" Afterward she told Janet
that it had been one of the hardest
things she ever did-to restrain herself
from running after that bus.
you see, Janet. must get used
If don't she will make me feel foolish
and silly and-old again. But if I
have time to let the delicious sense
of freedom soak in. I shall be proof
against ever her disgust because her
mother wants to be young and have a
good time
ST can see where Joan gets at least
a bit of her riginality. Who but you
would ever have thought of doing as
you have done-because of a child.
Most people would have done as they
pleased regardless. am sure I would.
manner toward Ted"
you forget that Joan's bringing up
has been so different"
81 wonder if you ever regret giving
her the complete freedom you have,
Margaret; if you would do differently
if you had your life with her to live
over?"
"No--I don't think so, Janet I still
feel that every human being should
be given the right of self-expression.
1t is one reason L am willing to face
Joan's displeasure. That 1 have not
done this before has been in part ow-
ing to my ABSORPTION in her, my de-
sire that she should have all 1 missed
In doing this, and in my love for and
interest in her, I overlooked tbs fact
that I too was a human being and SO
entitled also to live my own life in
stead of one which simply reflected
my motherhood. No, I don't regret
anything I have done in regard to
Joan unless it may be the attitude to-
ward me my own actions have allowed
her to take. 1t really isn't her fault
that she considers me old, too old to
enjoy the things that young people
enjoy. I allowed her to take that at
titude by. dressing and acting old.
That I did it because of lack CT in
terest in everything save her, excuses
her. but-not me. I wronged myself.
I see it now"
"You want to get on your knees and
thank God you saw it before it was
too late" Janet Walters said gaily. yet
Margaret knew she meant it
Il have!" was Margarets serious
response.
(Tomorrow-Joan writes of Martha
Hardy.)