The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-21
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN REPEATS BoRTENsE's RE.
BIZ JANE PHELPS

L
MARKS.
CHAPTER Fl.
Slowly, thoughtfully, Joan, walked
home. Malcolm Frost and Lonnie
Carpenter passed her on the opposite
side of the street. and called their
greetings. Joan made no answer,
pretending she didn't hear.
There was little girl,
And she had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very, very good,
And when she was bad she was
hor-rid:"
AS they sang the doggerel in unison,
Joan flung her bobbed head in dis
dain, and still not deigning to notice
them further hurried home She had
weightier things to occupy her mind
than what two stupid boys might
think of her. But she would deal
with them later, was her unconscious
decision.
''Where's Munster" she asked of
Hannah.
Gone over to Mrs. Thompson's to
call, honey" Then noticing Joans
serious face she asked anxiously:
Don't you feel well, honey? I've
got some cakes for you"
ct don't want any cakes! Not now
anyway" she amended.
Hannah mumbled.. when she don't
want no cakes there is sure something
wrong with her"
Up stairs sitting cross-legged on the
broad couch in her mothers room,
Joan awaited her return. The thing
was preposterous. Her Mumsie never
would think of hurting her by doing
such an awful thing. Yet in spite of
her reasoning, Hortense's remarks re-
NAMED uppermost in her thoughts.
widows older than your mother
get married.; and father said II
would be a good match"
Good match for who?
perhaps for that old stiff Crais
Forrester!''- she said aloud. kicking
viciously at a rose colored pillow un-
til it sl6Dped to the floor. I'm sure
it would not be good for me. and so it
wouldn't be for Mumsie. Oh. I hate
everybody and everything" she ex-
claimed springing up and running to
the window. why doesn't she come !.
Gone over there so Mrs. Thompson
can tell her to marry him, I'll bet"
Angry tears filled her eyes. Then too
she wanted some cakes She coulo
smell the delicious odor waited UP
stairs from the kitchen. She always
ate two or three the days Hannah
made them, ate them just as soon as
| she returned from school. She had
| been home almost a half an hour. 1t
was terrible in Mumsie to worry her
| so, and make her go without her ia
vorite cakes.
When Margaret came in Joan did
not hear her, so the mother surprised
a fearful child thrown face down on
| the couch, crying because of her fears
that would not be reasoned away; also
for the cakes cooling in the pantry.
| why Joan dear, what are you cry
ing for? What has happened?" Joan
seldom wept, and Margaret i'm
/ 4 koI1y .41E,r Ill - -
'Hortense Thompson says you are
going to marry that horr!d Craig For
roster, and 1 won't have my Mumsie
any more-ever-and / haven't had a.
single cake 1 am so worried, and I'm
hungry and you won't be my Mumsie
any more if you do such an awful
thing because I'll run away Or take
poison or something"
There, dear, sit up and wen talk
nicely"
IT hate Hortense thompson I
never shall speak to her again, never,
for saying such things"
What did Hortenae say, dear?"
Joan stood before Margaret, accusing
eyes bent Searchingly upon her. The
girl boosted that She could always tell
what her mother thought if she looked
straight at her.
"She said that Craig, that everyone
| in town said he was in love with you"
! ''I can't help that can ], dear?'
Margaret smiled as she REPLIED. 81
can't help his loving me if he wants
to-"
81 don't want him to love YOU They
said you would marry him. You won't,
will you? Hortense said that widows
as old as you got married. But they
| don't if they have a little girl to love,
do they. Mumsie? You would rather
be my Mumsie than anything else in
1.-THE world. wouldn't you?" Joan asked
with the selfishness of youth.
"Of course, dear; now let US go
down and get soma cakes. Hannah is
hurt because you haven't had any
after she baked them TO ryou." +
"And you won't marry Craig For
roster. Mums:e?"
Joan dear, Craig Forester hasn't
asked me to marry him. 1t is only
silly gossip Hortense repeated. Pay no
attention, and don't tell Hortense or
anyone that you told me. I should be
embarrassed If you did"
I'm SO glad he didn't ask you,
Mumsie! Hey, Hannah, L am coming
after those cakes now" Joan called as
she ran down the stairs!
81 wonder-if he had asked me- If
Il" Margaret muttered, as left alone
she thought of Joan's resentment
(Tomorrow-Horten and Joan
wake up.(