The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-27
THE NEW
GENERATION
Blu JANE PHELPS
MARGARET PRETENDs TT is
Bu JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER &c.


1--WE been terribly silly" Margaret
remarked as she led the way to the
dining room. II felt SO really out of
place in this gown that I have told
Hannah we will pretend it is evening,
so that may feel properly dressed
II have felt as if I were in fairy
land ever since came. This heightens
the impression" Forester said as
they entered the softly, rose lighted
room. MY business clothes are fright
fully homogeneous"
mo, it is I who am homogeneous,
Margaret answered, then nervously
to Hannah. 81 am not at home Han
nah should anyone call" She turned
to Forester:
81 felt that was necessary" she
the remainder of my life in an insane
asylum" Again she blushed hetly.
'I feel honored."
Once more Margaret changed the
subject. There was SO much Of real
admiration, SO much of an intimate
ner that she felt a bit frightened. In
spite of herself she thought of what
Hortense had said to Joan:
Widows older than your mother
marry again"
Margaret was not at all in love with
him immensely. Why shouldn't she
He had been the first man she had
admitted to any sort of intimacy; the
only man from whom she had re-
ceived any attention that could be
called personal. He was cookbook
ing, clever. knew the world-that he
admired her was flattering. t.l-
"a penny for yS~~ thoughts" For
roster, who had been Watching her
for moment, asked.
"They aren't worth half that she
! smiled, blushing furiously. Suppose
he had read her mind? How sper-
feetly terrible it would be, and how
he would despise her. She recalled
that she had told Joan: ''Mr. For
roster hasn't asked me to marry
him"
Craig Forester now put himself
out to entertain her. He had been
delighted with her naive pretense of
evening so that her gown would not
seem SO out of place. He saw too
that she was still embarrassed, and
| so bit uncomfortable. But soon she
| forgot she was in evening clothes.
| Could this be the man sitting opposite
| her whom Mrs. Thompson had said
never. talked of his travels. Why his
story was a perfect Arabian Nights
entertainment. That he was exerting
himself simply for her entertainment
she would not have believed Had
| she known that few, even of his inti-
mate friends, ever had heard him
1 talk as he was now talking to her sht.
would have been even more fiattered
| than she was.
Luncheon. finished Craig Forester
| took his departure after asking if he
might call again when in town, and
also if he could hope for a reply if
| he dropped her a line.
! Il shall be delighted to see yeu,''
| she told him simply, land trust I shall
| be more appropriately clothed. And
I shall be glad to hear from you"
! But 1 want you to wear that
! dressi" he ventured.
| Margaret changed the subject
quickly. then babe him good bye.
Come quickly Hannah ana help
me out of this dress! 1 must put it
away before Joan comes, and she will
be here in half an hour
Il don't see why you get so scairt
| of Miss Joan. She ought to be proud
of her ma leokin' so young and
pretty"
Hannah! Do hurryl"
There! It's ali undid. And there
goes the bel1.'
Margaret nervously folded the dress
and laid it in the box. Then as she
was removing her shoes and stockings,
| Hannah returned, a long box in her
| arms.
"Posies I reckon" she said as she
laid it on the dresser.
open it, Hannah the shoes and
stockings followed the dress into the
box, then with a sigh, Margaret drew
on plain black stockings, and reached
for the plainest afternoon dress she
had. She would do penance for wear
ing the rose and gray.
"Oh!" she gasped as the opened box
disclosed American Beauties with yard
long stems. ~
Here's a note, Hannah said, Just
| as Joan came rushing into the room
after her usual impetuous fashion
(Tomorrow-Joan is annoyed.l