The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-24
THE NEW
GENERATION
ONCE MORE JOAN is SAFE.
BIZ JANE PHELPS


Chapter 76.
Margaret was relieved when the
next morning she found out who had
been Joan's escort. She called Craig
FORESTER and told him all she knew.
He had called her back in a few
moments and told her that Calvin
Hardy the artist, was a man above
reproach, that she had no cause to
worry, at least until she had seen
''She says that being 40 doesn't
count in d man, Craig" her voice was
4 love you at ss."
Aren't you ashamed You're as
bad as the man who asked Joan to
marry him on the telephone. BY the
way. 1 shall go down with her Tor
dinner. She promised to tell me about
him, and I want to know more about
last night. You may call for me about
10 if you will
III be there.
Thank you. I don't know what L
should do without you, you are so de-
pendable.'
Marry me, then you'll always have
me. If you don't you may lose me.
Some other young girl of SO may see
my good qualities"
The old, dear!" Margaret muir
INJURED as she hung up.
Margaret Hayden knew that had it
not been for Joan she would have
married Craig Forester. She could
not marry, knowing Joan, unless she
wished to lose her daughter-not the
way Joan now felt about her. Mar
garet found it growing harder to re-
fuse to listen to his pleadings as the
days passed, and he grew more in
sistent. So finally she had told him
that until Joan was either reconciled,
or married, she would not marry any
one.
Now, Joan dear, tell me all about
| last night. Mr.. Hardy is very fine
! looking man."
Isn't he! tell you, nIumsie,
| felt so stuck up I could scarcely sit
down. He's Martha's pet uncle, and
| he is awfully fond of her even if they
aren't a bit alike. He was going to
take Martha out last night, and had
told her she might invite me. Then
when she was sick he wouldn't disap-
| point me. Bully in him, wasn't it?"
| Yes, indeed, and you looked very
pretty"
Thanks to you for the new dress"
so you danced afterward?i
"Just one dance at club where he
is known. He said he wouldn't take
me to any of the others-silly of him,
but I didn't say anything.
Il can imagine he might be care
full of a girls reputation" Then IT'S
rather strange that you liked him
when he is so DID,
at is strange how much older a
! woman always is than man. 1 heard
| you say once years ago that a girl
was always older than a boy OF the
same age. 1 guess it is true always.
Why. it seems to me that you must be
years older than Mr.. Hardy. You
have been my mother so long"
That's a funny reason. He might
have been your father. l mean as far
as age is concerned"
Say. Mumsie! What in the world
does Craig Forester stick around you
so closely for? I was going to tell
! Mr.. Hardy you were my mother until
| 1 saw him, then 1 wouldn't tell him"
But what did poor Craig have TO
! do with it?''
"Oh. everyone asks If you are going
to give me stepfather, and it makes
me wildi'
What If I should?"
| ''Motheri"
81 didn't say would. I only asked
a question"
Il would go away and never come
| back. 1 told you once that I would
and I haven't changed my mind.
Il wonder"
You wonder what?"
IF you really mean that. There is
no disgrace attached to a widow mar
rying. especially after so many years"
| I call it disgraceful for any woman
with grown daughter to even think
| of marrying again. I should hate to
| be ashamed of my mother
! "Oh, Joan!'
81 mean it! Why. it isn't decent
You've had one husband, you've got
me. What more can you need?" Joan
asked with all the impudence of self
conferred youth.
Nothing now, Joan, but I want
more of you-want to be with you
more. / want to be your friend as
well as your mother"
What queer notions you have ac-
/ quired since you came to New York.
! You seem SO changed. not motherIy
/ any more"
''Oh yes. I ami" Margaret was half
| laughing, half crying, as she took Joan
! in her arms and kissed her goodnight.
| CTomorrow-Joan tells Margaret of
another friend)