The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-08
THE NEW
GENERATION
MARGARET MEETS A PERPLEx-
ING SITUATION.
By JANE PHELPS
Chapter 10.

Chapter 10.
Margaret thought often of what
Gloria had said about Joan being a
favorite with the boys. She never had
been shy with them, that Margaret
knew, but it had seemed to her as she
watched that Joan was like one of
them. just a happy romping child.
tertng into her problem of raising
Joan? She had thought of If, to be
sure. but as something for the future.
not a present perpleyity,
! Then one thrilling night of Spring.
unduly warm for the season. Margaret
knew that this dreaded problem was q
present, not a future one,
Jean had been swinging idly in the
| hammock on the porch ever since
dinner. For a time Margaret had sat
with her, then had gone in the house
to write some letters. BY and by she
heard voices. Going to the screened
! doorway she glanced out, intending to
welcome whomever had stopped to
chat with Joan.
| The words died on her lips, and her
breath came faster with the surprise.
In the hammock were Joan and
young Malcolm Frost, his arm was
around Joan. her golden bobbed head
rested on his shoulder. one of her
hands nestled in his.
/ Margaret hcSitated a moment, then
pushed the screen door open and said;
| Good evening, Malcolm! Fou
should have called me when Malcolm
came, JOAN She smiled into the girls
face showing she meant no rebuke-
| Malcolm, bny-like, was embarrassed
He took his arm from round Joan, and
tried to look as If he were not doing
anything of which he need be ashamed.
But Joan, the little witch. only pressed
her head the harder upon bis shout
der, the hohbed curls glimmering in
l fVyi 81 af
about the starry eyed girls face.
| Malcolm came to see me. Mumsie.
Why should I call your"
| so could welcome him, dear, The
mistress of the house should welcome
all guests, you knew"
EXCUSE me, Mumsie, and Malcolm.
But don't see why you took your
arm away. Malcolm, just because
Mumsie came out" She snuggled
closer. Il liked to have it around my
waist"
Joan is right, Malcolm. Never do
anything you fear to do before me-"
Margaret now smiled at the embar-
raised boy She had purposely made
jeans remarks suit her wishes.
The aEIa stole shyly back. Joan a
Esmile of confinement on her face,
said:
Now you may kiss me again"
Margaret was aghast. Joan was
such a little dear, but what would she
90 WITH ASF II Sne were BoiIlS 10 ASK
the boys to kiss her and that sort of
thing?
Didn't I tell you you might kiss
me asainl" The young voice impa-
tieHtly demanded.
| 4 Margaret sighed inwardly. Joan
was SO sweet, SO vivid, SO absolutely
certain of her young self, that the
sigh was half of something very like
fear, half of something resembling
envy.
Malcolm bent his lips until they
touched Joan's.
| Joan's nonchalant acceptance of
the caress treasured Margaret a'ltttle.
The girls face was a bit flushed, but
childlike innocence looked out from
mother.
why don't you kiss Mumsie, too,
Malcolm? % she asked.
Obedient to a decided shove from
the blond angel at his side, the boy
rose. and with face scarlet, raised his
lips to Margaret who was bit the
taller.
Smilingly. Margaret pressed a re-
sounding motherly kiss on the boy s
lips, and then throwing her arm
across his shoulders, she said:
THAT was very nice, Malcolm, 1
wish Joan had a brother just like
you. We would both enjoy 1t won
speak. she proposed making lemon
ade. adding:
Hannah made those little cakes
you like SO well today, JOAN think
Malcolm will like them also"
1T he doesn't he never shall kiss
me again. Come malcolm" ana
shouting for Hannah and the cakes,
the two youngsters disappeared.
TomorroW-Margaret faces a new
probiem.)