The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-16
THE NEW
GENERATION
A WEDDING THAT CREATED
ENVY
By JANE PHELPS

ENVY.
Chapter 95
Margaret remained with Joan until
the afternoon shadows closed in, and
then left, peaceful if not happy. She
left Joan in gay mood. Some of her
friends had dropped in, and never
could Margaret recall the time when
her daughter had showed such pride
in her as when she told them of her
help, that she corrected her articles
"Mumsie does the drudgery for me,
the part L hate" she told Martha
Harding.
Il wouldn't do it, Mrs. Hayden.
She's just lazy. Make her do 1t her
self"
What are mothers for, Martha, il
not to help?" Margaret asked. and
Joan stopped what she was doing
long enough to give her a hug. That
embrace was with Margaret as she sat
in the taxi on her way home The
bright young face framed in It's golden
curls was before her. The happiness
that shone in her eyes brought little
satisfaction to her own as she whis-
pered:
81 did right The little darling,"
But at home other thoughts in
truded, and obtruded-the right she
had to happiness, her determination
to express herself as she Ionged to do,
her love for Craig Forester.
Almost she was tempted 10 go back
to the country, to once more take up
the homely duties of her old life.
Then she realized she could not Joan
was here. Here she would, she must
remain because of Joan If for no other
reason.
n 1t was only a passing thought Mar
garet never had been so happy as Nm
her pretty apartment with the friends
who made much of her, ana some OF
! them she learned to love. And she
knew Joan never could go back. Her
temperament, her diversity of in
terests, her longing for recognition
would keep her here. And where
Joan was, there was her home, too.
We must travel she hau said to
Joan.
Yes, Mumsie. When have made
start and something of a name.
Then we will travel, and 1 will write
of what we see. 1t will make travel
doubly interesting"
1t was typical of Joan that she sell
dom asked another's opinion. even
her mothers. Most girls would have
said, don't you think so Pc occasion
ally, if not always. Joan never formed
that sentence. She made a statement
If Margaret disagreed she did not do
so because she was asked to express
an. opinion; it was from her own Volt
ton, 1t was not that Joan mean.
anything. But having always thought
for herself, she continued TO do SO
regardless of anyone.
Ted Walters had come home for his
mothers wedding. Joan met him in
the same good comradt spirit she al
ways had shown. The hope Margaret
had felt when she saw tear in Joan
eyes after he left from his vacation
visit, was almost dispelled
| She doesn't love him. the mothel
seld to herself, knowing now what
love meant.
The wedding was a quiet one. Only
a few friends and the relatives, "also
few" as Ted jokingly remarked were
| present. Margaret had bought Joan a
new frock which she quietly accepted
"a bit to Margaret's surprise until she
! heard her tell Ted, who had compli-
mented her:
'Mumsie gave 1t to me. I didn't
want it, but I was horrid to her 6
little while ago, and I thought per-
ohaps she would feel badly if I refused
to wear it,
i've heard of this scheme of yours
this independent racket" Ted said
| boyishly. Whats the answer
! why, I wanted to convince myself
| that 7 was good for something beside
| spending the money my father earned
1 saw hundreds of girls supporting
| themselves well or badly. and I deter
L
| to the old way of living for anything,
I just adore my work. and when the
! editors think it worth buying, I am sc
| proud that really I almost burst. Then
! too, it is such fun to spend money
you have earned. Not that I ever had
| to give an account of what 1 spent
not>since 1 have been old enough tC
| be trusted. But it's different-know-
ing you have earned it, you plan and
! keep account and worry il your book
keeping doesn't come out right, and
oh. in a lot of ways the earning makes
SO much difference
what queer girl you are. Joan
And you haven't changed your mind
about me? Remember, I told you I'd
| take poison If you tired of me-"
mo. Ted, I haven't changed my
! mind"
| (Tomorrow-Tenna is sent on his
way.)