The Topeka state journal., 1921-11-16
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN SCORES.
By JANE PHELPS
Chapter SO.

Margaret and Joan spent pleasant
evening in spite of the mothers un-
easiness because of Joan's change of
plans. It was too late now for her to
interfere with this self-contained
daughter who had had her own way
ever since she was born. That she
was more difficult than ever before,
Margaret acknowledged, and also that
| she was more and more uncertain as
to the best way to handle her-with-
out Joan being aware she was being
guided.
II bought a dress that is a bit tight.
wonder if it would do for you,' Mar
garet said. In spite of her radical no
| tions Joan was a real woman in her
liking for pretty, stylish clothes.
The dress fitted perfectly. A semi
evening gown suitable for dinners or
the theater. Just the sort of a gown
a well dressed girl finds useful.
Thank you, Mumsiei it's lovely"
Margaret had wrapped it carefully in
| tissue paper.
Now, I'll call a cab. It is too late
for you to go either alone, or on the
car, or to take a street taxi" And
| in spite of Joan's laughing protesta-
ton that she was old enough to take
care of herself, Margaret ordered a
cab from a reliable garage.
'T'll come for you tomorrow to take
you to see my studio" Joan said.
mo. dear. Make it the day after.
shall be busy tomorrow" She must
not make it took easy for Joan; must
not let her think she could again rule
her mothers comings and goings.
Margaret watched from the window
until the cab disappeared. Then she
turned to her dressing table and the
note Craig Forester had left.
1.-THE new generation scored this
evening. When will it be my turn2
Craig"
=
the short, pregnant message. When
indeed? The quiet evening spent with
Joan, the calling her "Mumsie,s the
mother love, all were working against
him. ~
"oh. Craig. you don't understand
as whimsieally she added: you new
err have been q mother Craig-a
mother to joan"
1t is all very well to judge a person,
to say you have no sympathy with
her, and that If she is unhappy it is
her own doing. It is the easy and
you well satisfied because you've taxi
en- a fine and an unassailabIe position.
But after all are things quite as SIM
pie as that in real life?
Margaret had started with Joan
filled with resentment at her own in
hibited life. If she had made mis-
take. she needed sympathy, not criti-
cism. But strange to relate she was
not yet persuaded that she had made a
mistake.
"If I had my life to live over I
should do the same again." she said
hugging close her theory that human
beings had q right to self-expression,
no matter what the consequences
There was nothing. for it but to be
patient. Yet as Margaret read Craig
Forrester's note she wondered if
patience would help her. If ever she
could overcome Joans dislike to her
marrying. Craig would not have tired
of waiting. She was no longer young
in years, and he was older. If he ever
was to marry, to have a home he
would want it soon.
Margaret never wanted anything as
she now wanted Joan's happiness and
her own She wanted Joan to know
she was to be relied upon always, to be
sure that she would never fail her
And-yet--how she also longed for
her own little bit of silver lining. Joan
was difficult, but her heart was right
Margaret recalled how wistfuly she
had regarded her when time came to
go. How she had returned her en-
brace, then stood for a moment biting
her lip to still its quivering then shook
her bright golden curls and hurried
away.
THE darling! She's nothing but
child for all her independence" Mar
garet exclaimed a smile curving her
lips. "She wanted to be more loving,
and wouldn't let herself"
Before she slept Joan's mother
answered Craig Forrester's note:
THANK you for the flowers; they
make. my room lovely. Your turn
must wait, I am afraid. The new
generation must be appeased."
(Tomorrow-Joan takes a studio in
q