The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-06
THE NEW
GENERATION
MARGARET ENVIES JOAN HER
COURAGE.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER "a.


Joan introduced her mother to the
three or four boys and girls waiting
for her, then with many "oh's" and
"ah's,' she plunged into the surf.
There was nothing cowardly about
Joan Hayden, either morally or phys
ically. After the first moment or two
she was jumping the waves like an
old-timer, instead of a novice. Mar
garet knew she would not be as brave,
and a sort of grudslng admiration of
her child filled her mind. Suddenly
she knew why she felt as she did; why
she grudged Joan her bravery. 1t was
because of her youth which is always
courageous. Coura geous because it
does not realize danger.
Margaret wished she did not realize
danger-not as applied to the ocean
particularly, but to everything in life.
She Ionged inexpressibly to feel care
less of results, to be reckless of what
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES it was people as
Represented by Joan-thought or said.
Sitting on the beach under her sober
colored parasol she looked about hen
and thought her life had all been like
this. All the other onlookerS were
shaded by gay inconsequential shades;
rose, lavender, light blue and white.
Her life had been somber alwaysi like
her sunshade. She had not even been
an onlooker to gayety, she thought as
she gazed at the laughing, shouting
group in the water.
And she had led this gray, dun
colored life from choice.
Glow could I have done it?" she
said aloud.
Yet she had been happy, she unused,
happy until she began to realize she
had wasted her youth; to long for the
vanished years to come again that she
might relive them.
MAY I enjoy the shade with you ?"
Unseen and unheard Craig For
roster had come upon her For sew
eral moments he had watched trying
| to read her thoughts, puzzled by the
changing expression on her face, the
| longing in her eyes, and his failure to
understand her changed mood of the
hour before when Joan had disturbed
their piazza tete-a-tete.
| tIf there is room" She moved the
parasol so that it shaded his eyes as
he threw himselm on the sand beside
her.
Miss Joan-is out there?" he asked
nodding toward the bathers.
! Eyes, she is doing nicely. She does
rfbly so I am sure. 1t makes me
shiver just to see those big waves
break"
why doesn't Joan like me?"
| The question, coming SO unex-
pectediy startled Margaret She
|
'fWhy-what-make you think she
dislikes ycu?"
Il don't think, I known
| There is no reason"
There must be. Be honest with
me. What a child thinks cannot
worry me very apprecia bly-altho 1
had hoped your daughter might en-
/ dure me-"
"oh, Joan doesn't dislike you. Why
should she2'' Margaret was terribly
embarrassed
She resents my being with you.
Isn't that it Forester returned
quietly.
The quietness in his voice steadied
her.
yes. she has been my only thought
all her life. She does resent in a way
any other interest l have, but it is my
own fault" she added Loyalty.
your own fault?"
yes. 1 had a peculiar childhood,
a lonely girIhood. I don't mean that I
was either neglected or unioved. But
never was allowed to do anything I
wanted to. I was brought up by rule.
When Joan came I determined she
should be a free agent always- But
as she grew old enough to distinguish
| between right and wrong her mind
needed directing; altho it had to be
done without her knowing it I never
have interfered with her in anything.
She has been absolutely free"
And you have renowned your