The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-03
THE NEW
GENERATION
Ey JANE PHELPS
MARGARET PLANS HER OWN
WARDROBE.
Ey JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 81.


| Margaret had determined that she
would have a stylish and becoming
wardrobe for the summer-as far as
she could afford it. But the habit of
years was not so easily discarded.
When she shopped and saw the gay
sports suits that were all the rage for
summer wear, the bright colors for
afternoon and evening gowns, she saw
Joan-the look on ner face when she
told her she had lost her Mumsie."
Unconsciously it influenced Margaret
in her purchases. She fingered long
! ingly over rose, yellow, and green
| sweaters; then chose sober drab and
brown. She looked at gorgeously coll
ored evening gowns only to decide
upon q simple black net. She tried
I on handsome, stylish, afternoon gowns
that made her look so girlish that she
blushed at the feeling of happiness it
gave her, yet she turned lingeringly
blue crepe de chine gowns that made
j her appear. If not quite her age-not
as young as her daughter.
Joan will be pleased" she said re-
gretfully after her selections were
made.
Margaret, however exercised her
independence in one instance. She
bought the dark blue and white bath
ing suit and the pretty becoming cap.
, Dark blue stockings. and the white
shoes with the dark blue trimmings
completed the outfit.
Margaret tried the suit on surrep-
titiously in the privacy of her room.
the door locked against sudden intru-
sion by Joan, who was out at the time.
After she was fully dressed, cap and
all, Margaret followed Joan's example
and stood before the cheval glass
critically examining her still girhsh
figure.
Eyes, it is just the right length"
she said softly to herself as the
slender legs in their glossy silk stock
ings and smart shoes were revealed.
mot too low either, and those short
wear the cap all the time, it is, so
becoming" she added, then laughed-at
herself. The idea of a woman 40
years old talking to herself like a
child! Would sh" ever overcome this
desire to be and look young now that
it had taken possession of her? r.
Joan's voice startled her. She
drew off the cap quickly. then I'M
locked the door. When her daugh-
ter reached the room, Margaret was
innocently arranging the white tie
that held her collar in place.
IT thought I would try it on and
see that it was all right" she ex-
planned, trying to keep the note of
apology she SO often used when speak
ing to Joan out of her voice. How
do you like it?"
pretty well,' obviously answered
Joan. the disappearing frown evident
Il think it's too young. I told you it
would be-" severely, but of course you
don't think So" this last a bit I'M
pudently.
mo. or I would not have purchased
it." Margaret answered. II think it a
very good looking and modest cos
tune. I'll put on the cap. then we
can see just how it looks with the
suit" A red flush crept over her
cheeks at her innocent duplicity.
1t. took Margaret some moments to
adjust the cap to her satisfaction
evidently. Then she turned to see a
look of distinct disapprobation on
This is too silly for anything!" she
declared.
But it covers my hair nicely" Mar
garet pretended not to understand.
$50 would q black one"
but this is partly black
Partly! But those white wings
standing out on the top of your head
are ridiculous for a person as old as
you are.
ooh Joan, dear. Don't call me a
person!" Margaret wanted to laugh,
she longed to cry. Would this foolish
young daughter of hers ever recog-
nize the youth in her? Had she SUBJ
merged it. herself, until too late?
"A woman then. excuse mel" Joan
Of late had become quite particular in
certain ways. such as using the right
word to express herself and so on.
She was quite the best English scholar
in her class, and one day Malcolm
Frost had said:
You use the most awful English
out of school of any of us if you do
stand higher in class work"
1t had had instantaneous effect
tTOm OrrOW-(Dff to the sea shore