The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-09
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN SELLS y STORY AND COOKS
A MEAL.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 50.


Now occasionally Margaret would
help Joan. She was most critical of
her daughters efforts, a fact that Joan
hailed with delight.
Il don't want you to tell me it's
good if it isn't, MumsieI" she often de-
clared. And Margaret respected her
all the more for her attitude. Indeed
Joan's manner commenced to undergo
a change. To Margaret's delight, Joan
treated her more as she did Martha
Handy and the girls who dropped in.
You may stay and have luncheon
with me if you want to- she remarked
one day after Margaret had corrected
quite a pile of manuscript for her. II
think you have earned something to
eat" and she brought out her chatting
dish, some eggs, some bread and but
ter. The eggs. scrambled, toast and
tea comprised the luncheon.
Haven't you any sweets" Mar
garet, knowing her fondness for them,
asked.
mo, can't afford them! Not
healthy anyway" Joan replied, her
mouth full
Wont you let me bring a jar of
Hannah's strawberry jam?H
Yes, you may if you like. I'm not
averse to an occasional present, Num-
sic. But 1 must not be a parasite be-
cause I work. And Mumsie, look at
that" she handed her mother a check
from a prominent and popular maya
zine. That's why told you would
take the jam. L can buy jam now, so
I can afford to take it as a gift"
"A hundred dollars!" Margaret ex-
claimed in surprise.
Eyes, Mumsie. and a request for
more work, other articles. That is the
one you helped me with. 1 guess it
was bit on account of your help
that it was accepted. 1 have all the
ambition in the world to write, but l
hte like thunder to read the stuff over
and correct IT.
I'll do it for you, dear. if you'll let
me-"
Let you! Why I'll pay you to do
These eggs are delicious. Joan.
However did you learn to do them -
Common sense and several messes
wasted before I acquired the common
sense. Oh, I never was cut out for a
cook, but I'm going to do it until I
earn enough to hire one, which will
prabably be when 1 am old and gray
mot if you keep on at this rate"
Margaret loked again at the check. at
is wonderful, dear-a hundred dol
larsr"
1T is a great and glorious feeling
Mumsie, to earn money. 1 don't mean
because of the money, but because it
makes you feel so sort of proud of
yourself. I don't care a whoop for the
money! mean 1 wouldn't if 1 hadn't
to pay rent and eat; but l do care that
I earn it-that L have proved to my
self 1 was capable of doing something
beside spend it,
Thank you for my luncheon, dear
1t was very nice. I'll be down again in
a day or two. If you have anythirg
ready before. call me up. I am de-
liprhfnd tn holm -
Good old Mumsie," Joan kissed
her fondly.
Good old Mumsie." she repeater
after the door closed.
Il have an idea that this work of
Joan's is going to make us better
friends than anything else could have
done" Margaret told Craig Forester.
She is willing that I shall help her,
and that is a wonderful concession for
her"
Il don't see it tkat way. You can
help me by marrying me any time you
like"
She received a check for 500 this
morning for an article. Think of it,
Craig, that child earning 500. am,
so proud of her aren't you? ?"
OF course am. expect to be her
step-father, you know"
And she cooked my luncheon. and
it was lovely, and she says she loves
to have me help correct her manu-
script, and oh. I am SO happy over
her-that things have turned out so
Well"
''She can't Hve<forever on 500"
Don't be a kiII-joy. This article
she is doing is even better than the
one she sold, and that editor asked
for more. She will succeed all right
OF course t will take time, but was
so afraid she would fail and be dis
couraged. yet still keep at it like those
people down in the village do-so
many of them, always hoping to do
something worth while, but never do
ing it."
.I wonder what she might say if I
asked her If 1 might marry you?"
Don't you dare, Craig Forestert If
you upset that girl now I'll never
marry you. neveri'
THE apple cart shall remain right
side up, would not upset it for the
world
(Tomorrow-Joan keeps her promise.)