The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-14
THE NEW
GENERATION
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.
By JANE PHELPS
Chapter 80.


Was Hannah right? And if so, was
it her duty to remain a widow because
of Joans objections? Only too well
did Margaret Hayden know that Joan
would keep her word and separate
from her if she married while she,
Joan, was so opposed to it. Which
could she bear best-separation from
Joan, the knowledge that she had lost
her and her love, or the giving up of
the dream that had come to her so
late. the dream of happiness with
Craig Forester
All the long evening, after she had
babe Hannah goodnight. Margaret sat
in the dark by the window. trying to
decide. Someway she had a feeling it
could not be put off longer. Her lips
quivered when she recalled. Joan's
GOODNESS, her aIoofness of the day be-
fore, SO in contrast to her comrade-
ship of the preceding days when they
had worked so happily together, then
lunched so gayly.
Then as she thought of Craig For
roster, a slow tear crept unheeded
down her cheek. She had builded such
a beautiful dream, such rosy air cas-
ties. And poor Craig! He loved her
she knew. Was it right to spoil two
lives to keep one young girl happy?
IT brought her into the world. 1t is
to her I owe my first duty
Margaret did not speak these words
aloud, yet she would almost have
sworn that she did, so emphatic was
her thought.
Quietly she undressed and went to
bed.
After breakfast she telephoned Craig
Forester He came at once.
81 want to be released from my en-
gagement, Craig. 1 never can marry
you"
"But-Margaret What can have
happened since yesterday? Is it?
1t is Joani 1. won't release you, Mar
garet! 1t is wicked for you to ask it.
You love me. I know you do, dear"
al his flippant manner giving place
to great seriousness. do you think
it right to ruin two lives?"
'I brought her into the world. 1t is
to her owe my first duty"
Parrot-like Margaret repeated the
words of her thought the night before
the thought that had not left her,
even in her sleep, because it had col
ored her dreams
Long Craig. pleaded. But Margaret
was adamant.
But Joan may marryt"
Gwen if she does it may not be for
years, Craig. It would be most unfair
to you to hold that out as hope We
could marry"
"But if 1 want It so? Why. Mar
garet, it is the most Quixotic idea I
ever heard of Surely you won't deny
you love me?" he held her tenderly to
him as he saw the CULVER of her lips,
culver she could not control
mo, Craig. and it is because I love
you that I let you go. can't keep on
torn between my love for you and for
Joan. can'tl I must decide it once
for all"
"And I must go ~
yes, Craig Then again she re-
peated: 81 brought her into the world. [
1t is 20 her owe my first duty"
They talked some time longer Craig
urged her no more, but declared he
never would give her up.
We may still be good friends, see
each other as friends dog" he asked !
"Of course-if you wish. But for a
tine don't come SO often, Craig 1t
will be easier for me-" again that
CULVER of the mobile lips. and Craig, |
don't come at all on Sunday. want |
Joan to be happy when she is with me. |
and she would be continually reminded |
OF what the professor said il you were I
here"
IT see, Very well. Margaret" He
spoke rather coldly But his con-
science smcte him as he looked at her |
pale face, and he assured her IN his /
old frank manner that her word was
law. Then as he said goodbye, he I
whimsically remarked:
Il shall spend the rest Of my life /
getting Joan a husband
Margaret was, like Joan, little prone /
to tears. But after the door closed /
upon the one love of her life she broke |
down utterly and wept as she had not |
for years. It Rad been harder to give |
him up even than she had thought.
(Tomorrow=FTriends with Joan
again.1