The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-15
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN DECIDES To LIVE IN A
STUDIO.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER IS.

CHAPTER 6S.
"Mr. Forester is calling" Hannah
nounced about five minutes after Joan
arrived.
Tell him to excuse me. 1 am not
receiving this evening"
A puzzled look on her face, Hannah
turned to deliver the message, while a
similar expression crossed Joan's face.
Then she frightened. It wouldn't be
SO bad to have Mumsie look and dress
young if men could be eliminated
dangerous men like Craig Forester
who were in love with her. AS always,
when pleased Joan reverted even in
her thoughts to the old pet name of
her babyhood. The Mumsie whose
only thought had been for her
Had anyone told Joan Hayden that
she was intensely selfish, she would
have Indignantly denied the impeach-
ment. Wanting to keep ones mother
wasn't selfishness. 1t was only be-
cause she loved her so that she wanted
her as she did. Mumsie should know
that.
"Now tell me all you are doing,
as daintily set as if for expected
guests; the menu generous with Joan's
faVorite dishes. Il know so little of
how you spend your time-that not
devoted to your studies"
81 have been writing a story
Eyes ?-that is delightful! What is it
about?"
1T isn't really a story-perhaps a
social satire would better express what
I have tried convey"
81 shall be so proud of you'll" Mar
garet beamed upon her daughter. If
she had been disappointed not to see
Craig Forester she gave no sign,
neither did she make any remark
when after dinner she found fresh
flwers. upon her dressing table, and a
short note from Craig. This she
pushed aside. She would read it later.
Il shall not live up at the college
any longer. In fact, I have decided
to take a-studio and devote myself to
writing" Joan went on, delicious in
her egoism.
Then you will come and live with
me?" A feeling of joy, quickly fol-
lowed by one of apprehension filled
Margarets heart. She Would love to
have Joan with her; yet if she did she
would be bound down again, she would
have found her freedom only to lose
it. Margaret did not try to explain to
herself why this would be so. But she
knew that it would.
mo, Mumsie!" How Margaret thrill
ed at the word 1t almost repaid her
for refusing to see Craig Forester. Il
need to be absolutely free, absolutely
by myself if 1 am to do good work,
give expression to the best in me. This
is lovely here, but too soft. should
become soft too in this enervating at
mosphere." g-
Unconsciously Margaret thought she
wished Joan were a bit softer.
t'But dear, you are too young to
live alone."
Don't he silly, mother. We aren't
in Wollcott. Artists and writers aren't
amenable to the laws that govern
other people. If one is to give genius,
toll full he in
the right atmosphere"
Margaret concealed a smile She
wondered what Joan had been read
@Where had you thought of going?"
There is only one place where one
can get atmosphere Greenwich Viii
lage."
isn't it rather messy down there?"
Margaret knew better than to put
Joan on the defensive by saying all
she thought of the Village. To her
dainty tastes, her ideas of homely sur
roundings, her artistic feelings it was
an impossible place to -live. Ali right
to visit occasionally, but to live. awful!
Not if one could have one of those
dignified old houses on Washington
Square North, or on the Avenue. But
a studio!
Like many others Margaret was
prejudiced against something of which
she knew nothing. There were dainty,
attractive studios in the quarter, as
well as the other kind. There were
real artists and writer's there as well
as the soiled shirt, long-haired, or
smoked and bobbed haired brigade
of whom she had heard.
mot messy at all. If you like I'll
take you down to the studio I rented
yesterday. I think you will like it, and
| it is cheap" Joan made answer
(Tomorrow-Joan scores)