The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-02
THE NEW
GENERATION
By JANE PHELPS
MARGARET TALKS OF EN-
TIGHTENING JOAN.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 5 z.

| Now Margaret suddenly began to
feel a great longing to know how Joan
would take her revolt from her former
| life. Letters were frequent but of late
| Margaret had imagined Joan's more
surface letters; that she was keeping
back anything vital that was happen
/ ing to her.
Il believe shall let her know am
over and over as well as repeating
the same thing to Hannah and Mrs.
Walters. z,-.....
Mrs. walters said:
"You must uset your own judgment.
I should think you would feel abso-
lutely free to do as You pleased re-
gardless of Joan. I have always felt
that you should. ] can't understand
why her attitude should make the
| slightest difference to you"
Hannah said:
II expect the poor child hasn't had
half enough to eat since she's been in
/ that school. I wish you would have
her come here and let me cook for
her a. SPELL .
| 'I believe will Hannah!" Margaret
answered recalling how Joan had
chung to her, had offered, almost
begged to be allowed to stay at home
and travel as mother had wanted to
you look loveiy!" Forester said
an hour later when he called.
do II" Margaret smiled serenely
but the color rose in her cheeks. I'm
glad. Altho I expect you think me
outrageous"
mot bit! Why should II"
ooh, am so different from what 1
was at home-when you first met me.
So different than Mrs. Thompson, MTs.
Freeman, and the rest of the town
folks think me-"
i, Craig reached over and patted her
| hand. "And so infinitely more at
! tractiye," he said, smiling at her.
Then: Il love you," he added simply.
do you know that I am almost 81
years old?" she asked severely, land
| have a grown daughter"
F., And do you know that I am As,
and wish I too had a grown daugh-
ter? In fact am willing to father
yours?'
81 sometimes wish were of the new
| generation who take things so cas-
ually." Margaret unused aloud. Her
! thoughts were on what Forester had
said; his Il love you," had meant
nothing to him, should mean nothing
to her, 1t was simply an expression
of admiration. If it had been any,
thing more he would have said some
thing about marriage.
But why? 1 don't mind being of
the older generation In fact I enjoy
it. Think how we appreciate the times
we are passing thru now, an appre-
citation impossible to those born to
| Them
They went to the theater after din
ner. Margaret teld him she was in
tending to let Joan know she was in
town.
It's time!" he said laconically.
"Why?"
False pretenses. Then I have seen
! enough of you when with Joan to
know you will never be really happy
and at eases until she knows-and
either approves or disapproves what
you have done"
You've guessed it. feel sure she
will disapprove, and perhaps am anx-
ious to have it eVer.''
Joan's last letter reposed in her
handbag. She drew it out and read
snatches of it to Forester:
Il wonder what you do with your
| self, Mumsie? Now am away YOU
must find time hangs often. guess
I kept you pretty busy when I was
at home .. Martha Hardy is
to make a speech in big hall to-
morrow night. Her subject is The
Rights OF the Working Man. 1
shall go and hear her. altho, think
i If one really works they get all their
rights-sooner or later. Martha and
| 1 have some pretty hot arguments.
| have beeuto luncheon with a new
man twice this week, Dean Tenant.
| He is a queer chap but SO interest
ing. I wish he would wear better
linen. But notice that men with
ideas have little time or thought
| and, perhaps, money, TO spend on
non essentials. I am going out with
! him tomorrow night, down to. the
Purple Pup for dinner. I always eat
before go to those places, so have
| only to listen to the conversation.
| It is always interesting"
You see I must let her know I am
in New York. Margaret said as she
put the letter away.
yes. I imagine it would be bests''
the man replied.
tTomorrow-Aarzar plans 70 meet
Joan.)