The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-20
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN is SURPRISED BY A VISIT
By JANE PHELPS


Chapter IS.
The luncheon was a hilarious one.
Dean "buttled" but ate at the same
time He had thrown a napkin over
his arm, and with many flourishes
served Martha and Joan, keeping UP
a running fire of chatter, telling funny
stories and jokes.
you've mistaken your calling, Dean,
you should have been a clown"
Martha said as she wiped away the
tears her laughter had caused.
Perhaps 1 would have been of more
use 1 take it that it helps some to
laugh, one might as well you know"
Even as he spoke there was a look of
something very like regret in Deans
dark eyes.
1T does. Dean And you have done
me all sorts of good" Joan broke in.
Il am tired L have worked very hard
on that article, and good, jolly laugh
seems to help. I guess we girls are
rather hard on you. You'll forgive us
won't you?"
Bless you, my children, I would
forgive anyone murder for this lunch
con. I'm afraid I've cleaned you out,
Joan. Now l must run along If l am
to paint that picture that is to make
the world sit up and take notice.
Poor fellow!" Joan said after he
had gone.
Hes awfully in love with you.
joan"
81 know-but mother settled him
for me-"
Your motherr'
Eyes. She was here the other day
and Dean came in. He asked her
what objections she had to him, and
the question came up, as it had be-
come annoying. Yet 1 like Dean. He
amuses and at time interests me. I
should hate not to see him occasion
ally"
ITO change the subject. Joan, is
Mr.. Forester"
mo indeed! She isn't going to
marry anybody"
why not? She's young and aw-
fully attractive. I watched hi1n-Mr.
Forester, I mean = that day when
your mother asked me to tea. and he
looked at her as if he would like to
eat her"
He probably would! Mumsie is
awfully sweet"
DO you believe it is all your fault
she doesn't marry"
MY fault?"
Eyes, I'll bet you are to blame. If
you should get married I'll bet she
wouldn't wait long before she fol-
lowed your example"
Someone's rappiHg, Martha, please
open the door"
Eyes, Miss Hayden lives here. Will
you come in?" Martha ushered in a
tall, good Hooking, honest-faced young
man @Ao seemed little embarrassed.
Joan rose.
Don't you remember me. JOAN.
Malcolm Frost"
"Of course L dor Joan gave him
both her hands. 81 knew your face at
once, but, it has been so long since 1
have seen you, and you have changed
SO, l couldn't place you. Martha, this
is Mr.. Frost-Miss Hardy, Malcolm"
After the introduction had been
duly ackn owledged, Joan said:
Malcolm and / used to make mu /
pies together when we we're children,
and If l remember right he kissed me,
too. Mother made him kiss her also,
then gave us cookies. What awfully
good times We used to have, didn
we, Malcolm? You must tell me all
about everybody. all the boys and gir,s
I used to know. Mother will be 50
glad to see you"
You mother was awfully clever in
the way she handled US youngsters. Is
she still as clever?" was Malcolm's re-
tort.
You mean in handling me?"
Perhaps"
''She lets me do as I wish, as she
always did-rather she doesn't med
die"
1.-THE same old JOAN" Malcolm
turned to Martha. ''She used to say
no one had a right to meddIe with
her even when she was a tiny girl"
mo one hast I am captain of nv
own soul' Joan laughingly quoted,
then: Come on now, we'll run up to
Mothers for tea. Coming Martha ?"
mo thank you, have work to do"
(Tomorrow-Joan and Malcolm Frost
visit Margaret.)