The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-19
THE NEW
GENERATION
AN ARRANGEMENT OF DEAN
TENANT.
BIZ JANE PHELPS
Chapter 81.

Chapter 81.
Dean Tenant had taken Joan's re-
fusal of his proposal of marriage much
to heart. He sulked and mooned
about for few days, then told Joan
that he was going to follow her ad-
vice and paint a picture that would
SELL
IF it doesn't then I'll be a crook
or a Bolshevist. See how I love you
when I am willing to try work first.
81 see what an impossible fellow
you are, Dean I am SO much happier
since I commenced to work-to earn
my own money instead of spending
what someone else earned. Why, it
is even fun to see how much 1 can
get for a dollar. instead of spending
without thought. I don't see why you
and lots of others hate to work, hate
to apply yourselves. You are all
clever, in a way, but what good does
your cleverness do you?'
That's right, give it to him, Joan!
The truth will perhaps do him good. .,
Martha Hardy had come in quietly
and overheard the latter part Of Joan's
discourse.
You too, Martha?'' Dean asked in
pretended detection.
Yes, me too! Joan is right. You
are an attractive lot of good-for- moth
ings. Clever. yes, just as Joan said,
but I'll ask the same question-what
earthly good does your cleverness do
you? I'll bet you couldn't pay for
good, square meal right now, and your
linen isn't fresh and-oh well I could
name lots of things if I would"
"Go on, don't mind me. You seem
to forget that it isn't always the good
pictures that SELL or that it isn't al
ways the best man whose pockets are
lined with money, or the cleverest
who wears good linen and a top hat"
Don't begin that stuff. A man can
be just as good a man and amount
to something IN the world as to be one
like-oh, a lot of you down here in the
because you are too lazy to really
work. Don't tell me, Dean Tenant,
that you wouldn't prefer a good, thick
beefsteak and creamed potatoes, nice
salad and dessert at some nice, clean
place where nice well-groomed people
go-to the dinners you either cook in
your studio, beg in some other, or buy
in one of the village joints where. at
the price they sell it to you, it can
neither be clean nor good"
Hear! Heart Since Martha has
been running around with that young
Columbia professor she has changed
her ideas nightly"
Its the sign of a fool not to be
able to change when one sees they
have been wrong" Martha rejoined
quickly. flushing.
There wasn't a more rabid girl
than you were, 7 remember. You cared |
nothing for looks Or clothes. To be
independent live as your genius want
ed you to or let you live, was your
ambition. Love-what mischief is
wrought in thy name!" Dean ex- |
claimed raising his arms and looking |
so distressed the girls both laughed.
You ought to be ashamed, Dean. |
Really you had. You can paint, |
know you can. Why not have a little |
Of riZ In hax
faith in you. Stay in your own studio, |
stop spending your time chasing |
about. Do as Joan is doing! She is |
surely a pattern for US all. She doesn't |
have to work to eat and live. or else
go sponging as most of US do. Yet
there isn't one of us down here works
as hard as she does"
That's where you are mistaken, i
Martha. 1 do have to work to live. I |
am drawing nothing from my income. |
The lawyers will give me no more |
(Joan did not tell them because she
had forbidden). I do not have one |
penny except what I earn
And you still live deeently and
eat!" Dean was so comical the two I
girls laughed heartily.
Eyes, and eat decently, too. Martha |
if you and Dean will get it ready and |
stop talking so I can finish this article. |
you may stay to luncheon. There's |
plenty in the ice box for three"
Come on, Martha! I'll buttle while I
you COOK
Left alone. Joan rested her head on |
her hand for a moment, then said to
herself:
ST wonder, in spite of the way ] !
talked. if he isn't the happier than If |
he forced himself to do like others? |
Luncheon is served, madame" |
Dean announced a few minutes later |
(Tomorrow-Joan is surprised by a |
visit.)