The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-30
THE NEW
GENERATION
Ey JANE PHELPS
MARGARET ASSERTS HERSELF
CHAPTER 20.


at must not evade the issue if am
to have any success asserting myself"
Margaret said to herself, then smiled
as she added; I'll take the bull by
the horns" as father used to say. SO
she asked:
What in the world made you COM
pare my new dress with a ghost, Joan?
Don't you think it is pretty?"
Its an awfully silly dress, and
anyway where can you wear it?" sus-
piciously.
Anywhere I might be asked in the
evening. My wardrobe is hopeless for
going anywhere. 1 shall get it re-
plenished as quickly as possible. We
will want to go somewhere this vaca-
ton, and must have suitable Clothes"
Il don't like you in such things.
The decision in the young voice would
have been laughable in anyone but
Joan.
"Tm sorry, dear. I prefer you
should like what wear. But I allow
you to select your own colors and l
make your things to please you.
surely shall take the same privilege
for myself"
But what I can't understand is why
you want to look and dress young all
of sudden" Again suspicion tinged
her voice.
Perhaps I have just awakened to
the fact that am young"
"Why, you're old. You're my
mother, and I'm almost TO-"
Eyes, dear, am your mother. But
I was married very young 1 am
nearly 80, still a young woman, too
young to be put upon shelf" She
smiled engagingly at her daughter
whose eyes were bent resentfully upon
her. at isn't only in my clothes that
am going to pick up a part of my
youth, make the most of the next few
years. I am going to have some fun
out of life"
Fun" Joan fairly gasped. Was
this her quiet, middle-aged mother
talking of having fun? She didn't
must have suddenly gone out of her
right mind.
"Why do you look at me like that?'
Margaret repressed smile.
"Because-oh, never mind" And
as she had done once before. Joan
threw herself on the couch and cried
bitterly.
Before Margaret had given in to
Joan's grief given up all her plans.
Now altho she ached to comfort the
sobbing girl, she went quietly on with
her scwing-a dainty frock she was
making for Joan.
For long time Joan sobbed in
dustriously. Then as Margaret paid
not the slightest attention. the sobs
gradually grew less in violence. then
ceased altogether, altho the girl con-
tinued to weep softly.
Finally she jerked herself upright !
Wipe your eyes and get ready for
dinner. 1t is nearly time" Margaret
remarked without looking up
You aren't a bit like my Mumsie
anymore" Joan pouted as she rose
from the couch
81 don't want to be, dear. 1 don't
intend to be. I have been stupid
stay -at-home just rs long as 1 mean
to be. From now on 1 expect to en-
ioy myself. With you il possible,
without you if 1 nnust-because OF
your actions. I never shall compel
you to do for me, or with me, any
thing to which you object; neither
shall I allow your foolish objections
to influence me. Now run along.
Hannah has something you like for
dinner"
with tagging steps Joan left the
room. This was. in truth, new
Mumsie. this woman who talked to
her in that way. But Joan had learn
ed, among other self-aequired truths.
TO be fair. For the first time she
dimIy realized that perhaps her
mother was right, perhaps its was her
own business how she dressed. what |
she did. But it was dimly-the re-
sentiment was still uppermost.
"She talked about having fun 1ust
like Hortense and all the girls talk.
loan soIiloquised as she went slowly
up the stairs to her room. she taIk-
ed like kid, and she's-S5!" Her
tone awe-struck-
But while she brushed the golden
halo about her face the thought lin
gered that perhaps she had been I'M
! fair.
| I'D hate to have anyone unfair TO
me. 1 wouldn't stand 1t! Maybe
| 1 wonder-if I knew she didn't want
I that Forester MN around! But
perhaps she bought the dress 10 pun
on for him to see her look young in
/ If I thought that I would tear 1t
up!" Joan declared viciously just as
/ Margaret called:
Coming. Joan2"
! YES Mumsie"
(Tomorrow-A bathing suit discus
sion.)