The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-15
THE NEW
GENERAL TON
By JANE PHELPS
JOAN WEEPs,
Bn JANE PHELPS


Hannah's eyes opened wide when
she saw her mistress. With the privi-
llege taken by an old family retainer,
she remarked:
You sure look lovely, Mrs. Hayden.
Like Miss Joan's sister instead of her
mother"
Amt it so, Miss Joan?" Hannah,
UNCONSCIOUS, queried.
TT would leok all right only it's SO
silly!h Joan replied rather disdain-
fully.
eff you is a great big girl. I likes to
see her perlxin' up a bit 1t will do
her good. Most girls would be proud
to have such young looking ma!
and with a sniff that said as plainly
as words: There! for once I have
sided against you, and for(your moth
er," Hannah returned to the kitchen.
! Margaret ignored the servants re-
marks, and commenced talking OF
other things. But Joan was far from
being the chattering. interesting table
companion she usually was. She ate
| her eyes to give her mother a diSap-
proving glance.
Margaret was beginning to realize
that she, too. as well as Joan, had
right to be free, to express her indi-
lviduality. Up to- now Joan's attitude
had amused her. 1t had come to her
almost unconsciously, certainly with
out volition of her own, that she might
be a good mother to Joan, and also
| be Margaret Hayden-a human being
with a life of her own to lead ire
spective, and separate from Joan's,
even tho she had SO long thought
otherwise.
THAT dress could be made over for
me-" Joan said after dinner was fin
ished. She had followed her mother
| uptairs. a thoughtful look on her
pretty face.
perhaps. when I have finished with
it." Maragret answered, trying to speak
with unconcern.
You don't mean you intend to wear
Certainly, That is why had it
made" She had shivered a bit at that
precise mother
And you are going to comb your
hair like that?"
Eyes, 1 think so, unless I find a
more becoming. style. This suits my
face. Don't you think so, dear?" Mar
garet glanced into the mirror. She
smiled at her own reflection, so young,
so attractive. Her cheeks were flushed,
her eyes bright. This tilt with Joan
had someway added to her appear
ance. She walked over to her little
daughter, almost as tall as she, and
putting her arm around her added;
Don't you really think I look nice,
dear?'
For answer Joan drew away, and
Throwing herself upon the couch
commenced to cry convulsively. For
a few moments Margaret said moth
| ing 3 But as the sobs increased in
violence, fearing Joan would make
herself i'll, she laid her hand on the
child,s heaving shoulders and said:
what is it, Joan? What are you
crying about?"
AT first Joan made no reply. The
sobs increased in violence.
~'Joan darling" Margaret knelt
beside her, tell me why you are
crying like this? You will surely
make yourself ILL.,"
Joan sat up, tears streaming from
here eyes, her slight body trembling
! what is it, dear?" Margaret drew
the golden head upon her shoulder.
1--WE lost you" tears flowed afresh.
what do you mean, lost me?"
Margaret pretended not to understand.
| II am right here with you"
! IT have lost you'll You aren't my
Mumsie any more. I don't hardly
know you like thtat."
You will soon get acquainted, dear
Come Joan, I am surprised at you
A girl of your character making such
a fuss about nothing"
"It isn't nothing! It's a whole lott
Why, I don't know you at all. You
might be. some other girls mother
My Mumsie never fixed her hair like
that or wore such dresses. She was
| just my Mumsie."
I'm your Mumsie just the same"
Margaret replied, her thoughts racing.
| This was just what she had been
] only Joan's mother. nothing mare.
mo, I can't feel it when you are
! like that"
/ .''Well, don't cry any more, and don't
talk about 1t, tonight. 1t is bed time.
! Come, let mother help you"
mot until you are my Mumsie
again, I couldn't"
Slowly margaret undressed. She
, laid the gray dress across chair,
and donning her usual sober negn-
gee, she helped Joan to bed as usual.
''I had to give in this time but"
| Tomorrow Margaret confi6es in
| Hannah