The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-03
THE NEW
GENERATION
MARTHA HARDY DECIDES TO
RE2NC
BIZ JANE PHELPS

Chapter 10.
Martha Hardy was to marry the
young Columbia professor. Joan was
all excitement, and no wonder. Mar
garet had offered to let Martha be
married in her apartment, and to give
her a wedding breakfast.
Anyone would think it was you
gettin' married and not Miss Martha,
grumbled Hannah. You act like a
chicken with its head chopped off,
fussing around like this! l can tend
to this cookin' without you, I guess"
Now you're cross, old thing" Joan
ran behind Hannah, and putting her
arms around the ample waist, pushed
her, protesting. about the kitchen
| until Margaret, hearing them, came to
see what was going on
She'll be the death of me, she
willi' Hannah painted, wiping her face
! on her apron. then sinking into
chair to recover her breath, which
she declared had been clean knocked
out of me-
| "She tried to send me out of the
kitchen, Mumsiei Pretended she
| thought I was in the way. And all the
time she knew she was just dying to
have me stay. You play fair, Han
nah, or I'll treat you rough next
/ timel"
what do you call what you just
done, I'd Ike to know? If that amt
|
voice aggrieved.
It was very happy and very CRATE
full Martha who was married in Mar
garet's living room to a very grateful
and proud professor.
For myself. where was married
made little difference SO long as 1
was married to Martha. But it is
wonderful in you to do this for Mar
tina, Mrs. Hayden-she cried when she
told me of your kindness feel it
more than 1 can tell you"
why shouldn't I cry?" Martha
| joined in. Didn't you ever hear of
anyone crying for joy? Just think,
dear, / am to be married just as if this
darling apartment was my own homei
The crowd are coming and oh, can't
talk about it, or L shall cry againi
\ But shall fell so much more married
than if we had gone off by ourselves
| Martha's people were in very mod
crate circumstances, and lived in the
Northwest, the distance and expense
! involved making it impossible for her
to go home.
81 am delighted to do it, Martha,
and Joan is having such a good
| time"
You bet am! never was so ex-
cited in my life. Run into my room
now and dress, Martha. My wedding
present to you is on the bed
Martha had intended to be married
in a simple going-away gown, all she
! could afford. But deep down in her
girlish heart she had bemoaned the
fact that she could not have a white
dress and a veil, the young girls nat
urai wish to have what other brides
had.
Joan had a mysterious visit to her
lawyer couple of weeks before Mar
tina was to be married. Then she and
her mother had shopped industriously
"I guess if you give her the we'd
I~E-.
too 1t isn't like drawing money for
my own use. I do not consider I have
broken my vow by drawing for such q
purpose" And Margaret, delighted al
her interest in Martha's wedding, had
agreed with Joan.
Martha had gone but a few seconds
when the three waiting in the nearby
living room heard a little gasp of de-
light. then the call:
"Joanl Mrs. Haydeni come here
please, oh. Joan dear. I just can't help
cfyingi" and before they could go to
| her. Martha had rushed to them. a
lovely soft white crepe dress over her
arm, a veil with a tiny wreath OF
orange blossoms atop of it and, in her
other hand, white shoes and stockings
LOOK John, dear! Just see wha;
they have done for mel" and crump-
ling up on the floor Martha sobbed a
moment so Historically that Mrs. Hay
den was almost frightened. But Joan
dumped herself down beside her and
1aughingly pulled off her common
sense black oxfords and tried to pull
on the dainty white slipper. Then
after the sops ceased, she pulled Mar
tina up and declared there should be
no more ''weeps." that nothing but
smiles would be allowed.
You've only an hour before the
minister will be here" Margaret told
her. run along Martha, and COM
mence to dress. I will come in and
helD you presently"
There never was so happy a girl as
am-never in the worldl'' Martha
| declared as smiles and tears chased
each other over her face and she did
as Margaret babe her.
4 (Tomorrow-Martha is married)