The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-23
THE NEW
GENERATION
TWO DINNERS AT THE ST. REGIS.
By JANE PHELPS
Chapter rs.

l. L.
Chapter rs.
After Craig had left her Margaret
again surveyed herself in the mirror
Pm perfectly Shameless she NUT
tered, smile lingering about the cor
ners of her mouth. Here am 1 al
most old enough to go 70 the old
ladies' home, and planning to do per-
fectly outrageous things, flirting and
things 1 never even thought of doing
before"
In the apartment above her some
one was singing an aria from one of
the new operas. Margaret also hum
med it. When the singer stopped
Margaret went on letting her glori-
Gus voice ring out in its fulness. She
was happy. there was something
within that made her feel happy as
well as pretty. She felt romantic,
sentimental, foolish-and gloried in it.
'I won't feel 3s-not for a long
time" she declared as she dressed for
dinner, She was to dine with Craig
and some of his friends at the St
Regis.
She put on one of her prettiest
dresses She looked charming, and
knew it. She both looked and felt
You look perfectly lovely!" Mrs.
Walters said when she stopped for
her. 81 don't wonder Craig is in love
with you. Why do YOU tease the poor
ISllOW so =
81 have other things than love to
think about
Its Joan again! What has the
child been up to now?"
Nothing new. Just expressing her
self as usual"
Il should just die If that girl be-
longed to me. Yet she is very sweet
and attractive
''Yes-she is!' Margaret said with
emphasis.
A few minutes after Craig's party
was seated and he had whispered to
lovely, and that he loved her, there
was a stir nearby as the head waiter
seated two people at a small table.
With gasp Margaret recognized
Joan and with her was a very distin-
gulshed looking man of about 35 or 40
years. Joan had on the new frock
Margaret had given her, and looked
adorable. A thrill of pride ran over
Margaret-only to give way to one
OF anxiety. Who was the man? Where
had Joan met him?
There could be no greater contrast
than between him and Dean Tenant
and his sort. This man, tall, dark,
exquisitely groomed, was evidently to
the manner born, and as evidently
much intrigued with little daughter,
whose golden bobbed head leaned over
toward him.
half rose from her chair. then nom
chalantly sank back again. giving her
mother the most careless of slight mods
evidently telling the man something
as he also looked over.
Joan lighted a cigaret with all the
grace of the accustomed smoker. She
chatted and laughed with poise and
self-assurance of the society woman,
and she looked like an innocent angel.
Margaret almost groaned aloud. How
could she wait until the next day to
learn all about that man?
She ate very little, watching Joan.
Craig was distressed until he saw the
reason for her lack of interest.
Express yourself!' he said to Mar
garet in a stage whisper. Don't let
her put one over on you. Eat your
dinner. She is evidently enjoying
hers"
Margaret tried to do as Craig or
dered. The conversation became gem
eral, and for a few moments she for
got to watch Joan. Suddenly she
heard her voice:
Goodnight. Mumsie! We're going
to one of tie clubs to dance" and be-
fore Margaret could reply, Joan had
left.
Going to some club to dance. and
it was 10 o'clock then-and with a
strange man! Margaret half rose as
If to follow, then a humorous glance
from Craig warned her. She sank
back, but her eyes tried to catch a
glimpse of Joan from the window.
THE dear!" she said to herself. 81
do hope he is all right"
It was after II when she reached
home. Craig begged to come in for
few moments, but Margaret was too
disturbed over Joan to wish to chat
even with him. At half past II her
telephone rang:
Hello, Mumsie! I've just got home.
Had to tell you what a perfect time
I had tonight
Eyes, dear-who was that with
you %
''Wasn't he a peach? He's an artist,
has a studio uptown. A perfectly bully
fellow"
But Joan, he is over 4o!'
'"That doesn't count in a mani He's
Martha's cousin. She had a headache,
so he took me without her. Mighty
night, Mumsie! I'm almost dead for
Sleep
A sigh of relief broke from Mar
garet's lips as she hung up the re-
ceiver-Martha Hard's cousin! But
she wished Joan hadn't smoked.
(Tomorrow-Once more Joan is safe)
HEART AND HOME PROBLEMS