The Topeka state journal., 1921-12-23
THE NEW =
GENERATION
\ PLAY, SUPPER AND A DANCE.
By JANE PHELPS

n PLAY, SUPPER AND A DANCE.
Chapter 1O1
Craig Forester had not fingered
after he gave Joan into her mothers
keeping. He had not even remarked
upon her being out so late alone. He
knew Joan's independence. and any
criticism from him would only spoil
the effect of his being the one to save
her from that man whose evil designs
were only too patent to girl of Joan's
intelligence.
Margaret had almost tainted when
she heard what happened. Over and
over she made Joan promise never to
be oslt alone after dark, and JOAN sub
dued for perhaps the first time in her
life, tremblngly promised.
Il never was so glad to see anyone
/ in my life as l was to see Mr.. For
rester coming around that curve" she
said when, after a bit, she more calmly
told her. mother all that had happened.
Il could have hugged him. He was
awfully DECENT tool He didn't say
it served me right for being out late
alone, or anything like that. He just
tucked my hand in his arm and
brought me here"
Margaret could hardly repress a
smile. Like Craig, she thought for
once the gods had favored him. For
the first time Joan seemed resigned to
his existence.
1t was because of this incident that
Margaret had insisted upon getting
Joan an evening gown, and Keeping it
with her.
you can dress here ana sleep here
when anything unexpected turns UT. -
she had said. and Joan, plastic from
her fright. had gladly agreed. So
when Malcolm invited them to the
fnt rI1G a y 10,
vitation without returning to the stu
dio to dress
1T is fortunate we are about the
same size Margaret said after NAL
colin had 6one bacR to his hotel, "and
also fortunate that 1 have two evening
coats. You can wear the rose colored
one. 1t will be lovely on you"
The rose colored coat was the pride
of MarSaret's heart. Craig Forester
had been with her when she bought it.
and had told her how lovely she was in
1t, then had reminisced a bit and re-
called the first time he saw her in her
rose and gray evening dress with all
the lights turned on and the shades
drawn altbo it was high noon
Don't remind me of my foolish
ness. Craig" she had blushingly re-
turned
1T was such dear foolishness. and
you looked SO charming-just like
some lovely picture
Caring for Forester as she did. il
was no. wonder Margaret liked her
rose coat SO well. He had been the
first, the only man in her life who
cared what she wore So when she
told Joan she could wear it, she was
really desirous that her daughter
should look as lovely as possible
Malcolm Frost was. a very nice boy,
Of a fine family-in every way desir-
able. Would Joan be friendly, or
would she quarrel with him as she did
when a. child: or would shs treat him
coldly as she invariably did Ted Wal
ters?
Malcolm was early. and looked very
manly in his evening clothes.
Gee! Joan. you're some beauty all
right." he exclaimed in his frank
young voice you've got the girls
back home skinned a mile, New York
surely does things to women" He
glanced admiringly at Margaret
You've said something, It does"
They saw a delightful comedy, then
Malcolm took them to a hotel for
supNer. Mutual interests of the long
ago had made children of him and
Joan, and Margaret played with her
food as she watched and listened.
They talked over all their childish
Franks. Malcolm reminding Joan Of
those she had forgotten.
DO you remember that day the kid
said YOU were too much of q lady to
shoot craps2' he asked
<'Yes=I do now that you speak Of
iti' Joan gaily replied. Think of it.
Malcolm, That dirty youngster MAJ
have saved me from being a gambler.
felt so disgraced, remember-so
afraid that would do something that
wasn't quite becoming in the little
lady his washerwoman mother thought
me-"
Malcolm took them home after they
were put out as Joan said. They
had remained to dance until the or
chestra played Home Sweet Home"
and to emphasize that home was
sweet the manager had commenced to
turn out the lights.
omorrow-Malcolm is introduced TO
Bohemia-)