The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-05
THE NEW
GENERATION
FORRESTER'S PRESENCE AN
NOYS JOAN.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER SO.

CHAPTER 80.
"How do-you-do. Miss Jpan?"
Craig Forester rose politely, and Of
fered his hand. Joan gave him the
tips Of her fingers, then turned to her
mother:
I'm going in bathing, mother" was
all she said. Then left them.
Margaret had seen the eagerness
with which she had come to tell her
of her first dip in the ocean; she had
seen that ca gerness die away and give
place to something very like resent
ment. She knew Joan had expected
her to go up and superintend her first
dressing in her new bathing suit; had
perhaps expected her to go with her
She felt absolutely guilty, chagrined,
unhappy.
Her manner toward Forester re-
Elected her emotions. She had sud
denly acquired pEim dignity totally
different from her simple unaffected
friendliness of a few moments before.
Puzzled, he sat down again, and tried
to interest her. But in vain.
In a few stilted words Margaret eX-
cused herself and went in search of
Joan.
Joan was in the room. Margaret
could hear her moving about. She
paused outside the door for a mo-
ment. She must compose herself, be
ready to parry the child's questions,
perhaps.
HOW are you getting on de3T SHS
asked as finally she stood in the door
"Al1 right!' with tug jean pulled
on a stocking.
Can l help you?"
mol"
accustomed to the water yet and it
may make you i'll if you do So"
No answer.
Here's your cap"
Thank you"
Would you like. me to go down on
the beach and watch your"
''Perhaps-if you go alone"
DO you like to be alone?" Margaret
would not pretend to misunderstood
the al1usion.
That's different"
'I can't see any difference, dear.
It is lonely for me when 1 am sitting
alone, just as it would be for you. 1t
| is a real kindness when any one talks
to me. Mr.. Forester was very nice,
and so surprised to see me" She had
taken the bull by the horns" now she
waited.
| You mean he presented he was sur
prised. I'll bet he knew all about it
! Joan gave her mother look full of
suspicion. Margaret knew as well as
| if she had spoken that she was think
ing of the flowers Forester had sent;
of a letter she had one day found her
reading.
II think not, dear. There would be
no possible reason for him to pretend.
felt rather flattered."
Joan looked at her mother curious
| ly. This was a new attitude, this
| talking as if she were pleased at at
tracing attention. Joan did not quite
understand it. And anything that
Joan did not understand she medi-
tated.
rs he going to stay, mother" she
asked after a moment. That moth
err made Margaret vince as Invariably
did.
| Il didn't think to mention It, dear.
And he said nothing about it." Then:
IT hope he does remain for few days.
know no one. and it would be pleas
ant to have him to talk to-" Again
that puzzled look crossed Joan's face.
One more her mother had said she
wanted Craig Forester to be where
| she was; wanted-as Joan figured 1t
to have folks talk about her, say
she would get married and a lot OF
horrid things like that.
| I'm ready"
The sharp young voice made the
"An right. dear. wait until I get a
parasoE" Margaret smiled as she
turned to the closet. She had seen the
/ puzzled expression on Joan's face and
rightly interpreted it.
| Il have got her guessing" she
thought, almost childishly pleased that
such was the case. Now III wear my
rose and gray dress tonight. She'll be
wild with me, but he said I looked so
young in it.
! Come on dear!" she said aloud.
Tomorrow 1 will go in with you"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Envies Joan Her
| Courage.