The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-24
THE NEW
GENERATION
MARGARET AwAKENS TO REALI-
ZATTON OF HER YOUTH.
By JANE PHELPS


Chapter "a
Margaret waited until Joan was
safely away at school Then locking
her door-she would not even let old
Hannah Know how foolish she was
she proceeded to make her toilet
First she arranged her hair in softly
about her face, then she rouged her
pale cheeks ever so little, frightened
her eyes-by shadows under. and upon
the lids-as the girl in the beauty par
lor had taught her, then busted her
face with a delicate powder.
This lone she brought out of her
closet another parcel, a long oox
which, when opened, revealed rose
coIored dress wrapped in many layers
of tissue paper; a dress that would
have made Joan gasp with dismay, IL
not send her into Mysteries.
1t was such a beautiful thing that
Margaret held it lovingly in her arms
for several minutes.
1T looks good enough to eat!" she
said with a half laugh at her foolish
ness.
With loving, lingering fingers she
held it up. then slowly slipped 1t on,
turning with determination from the
mirror as she did so. She would not
see herself CARRIED in it by peacemeal.
When she was entirely dressed, even
to rose colored stockings and slippers,
she switched on all the lights and then
Obi" she exclaimed, then, "Ohr'
again. She could scarcely believe her
eyes. This radiant creature in the
coft clinging rose dress, the tiny buck
hem, couldn't be she-Margaret Hay
den-the brown mouse of a woman
she always had been. No, this was
someone else. it must be!
Then she laughed aloud from sheer
Joy. Going to the head of the stairs
she rallied.
"Hanpah! Oh, Hannah! come up
here a ninutei She must have some
one to share her amazement at the
transformation.
down and them lights lighted?" Han
nah asked. Margaret had hidden be-
hind the open doo-.
''See HannahI" Don't I look nice?"
Margaret piroutted around the old SER
want for all the world like girl of 16
and truth, to tell. she looked barely
older.
''Why, honey, am it really you? Old
Hannah always knowed you was pref
ty,, but you look good enough to eat
words 'It sure am shame to waste
all that prettiness on me. If your ma
could see you now She
wouldn't know me, Hannah, and
imagine she would think me terribly
silly. am silly, Hannah, and I know
once. was horribly extravagant, too
when Joan wants so many things
PITY you can't have pretty things
as well as Miss Joan. I declare to
goodness you look as young as She"
Nonsense, Hannah! Joan isn't
1877
where you goin, ma'am, to n
party?"
mo, Hannah" Margarets blush
showed thru the rogue. that's why
anywhere. just bought the dress be
cause it was so pretty" In spite of
herself Margarets voice took on a
wistful tone.
"'Taint extravagant. ma'am. And
you must wear it next time you gets
invited. There goes that belli" and
Hannah hurried away.
Margaret stood gazing into the mir
ror only half aware of voices in the
hall below. Then Hannah appeared
breathless from her second climb.
ITS that Mr.. Forester, ma'am. He
says as how he was just going thru,
had to catch a train and would you
see him just a minute?"
"Oh. can't see him-like this."
Yes, you cani"
But it is morning. Hannah. No
lady dresses like this in the morning
Tell him it's a new dress you was
just trying on" the wiley old woman
suggested.
do you think should?" hesitation
in Margaret's voice.
Sure I do! He'll think you look
beautiful"
Somehow Margaret couldn't help
wanting him to think she looked
beautiful" Not because it was Craig
Forester. but because it was n man
near her own age. and congenial.
Slowly she trailed the rosy gown
down the stairs. When she appeared
in the doorway Craig Forester started
to his feet, stopped half way to her
with an inarticuIate expression Of ad-
miration and held out his hands.
(To be continued.)