The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-10
THE NEW
GENERATION
MALCOLM AND JOAN SPEND THE
EVENING WITH MARTHA.
BIZ JANE PHELPS
Chapter 116

Malcolm Frost really loved the self
willed Joan, really intended to be pa
tient and gentle with her. He knew
how she had been brought up, how
she had been INDUCED, and allowed to
follow her own sweet will. He deter
mined over and over that he would
not judge her as he would the girls
at home, yet he found himself doing
so, wondering if Gloria Freeman
would do as Joan did; or what Hor-
tense Thompson would think of the
free and easy ways of the studio.
That Joan was impatient of reproof
he very well knew. That she had
snapped him up shortly several times
when he attempted it was a warning
that he tried to heed, but which he
men should make SO free with his
Joan, wasn't to be calmly endured
always.
Martha and her professor had re-
turned from their wedding trip, and
Malcolm and Joan had spent long,
happy evening with them in their lit
! tie flat up near the college. 1t was all
so coy and comfortable they were
both so happy, that Malcolm was even
more eager for Joan to marry him
soon SO that they too might have a
little place of their own.
"It is very different from the studio
| life" Martha said. 81 am afraid joan
! would miss the boys and girls running
in and out. 1t is quiet, and perhaps
would be bit lonely if I didn't keep
so busy all the time. But you see we
haven't much money, so L have to do
the work, then 1 try to help the pro-
| fessor in the evening. He is doing ex-
ira work at the college,
Martha's voice was 50 loving, SO
proud when she spoke of the ''profes-
sor' one could readily imagine she
meant her professor" and she was
ca dot
housedress, that Malcolm thought he
never would ask for greater happiness
than to be with Joan in just the same
simple way.
Il don't believe Joan would be lone
ly-would you?" Malcolm asked in re-
ply to what Martha had said.
"One can never tell until one tries. u
was Joan's non-committal answer a
am not particularly domestic
Neither was IT, Martha rejoined
But when It is all your own, when
you both work together. why it makes
! all the difference in the world. One
| likes to do things one would have
hated before. Being married seems tc
| change ones viewpoint about many
things"
Malcolm thought Martha's frank
ness delightful and told her so.
Why shouldn't one say they are
| happy! We love each other, and il
| InInE
in the world-the love two people
! have for each other"
/ You two are getting terribly senti-
/ mental" Joan broke in. You'll make
Malcolm expect SO much that he'll be
terribly disappointed in me, I'm afraid
I'm not as pliable as you are, Martha
! You will be when you and Malcolm
are together
IT haven't your faith" Joan an
swered bit wistfully. She loved NAL
! colin, yet she could not easily bear
any criticism from him no matter how
| gently made; neither could she en-
| dure to be questioned.
/ You see I haven't been used to it,
was her invariable excuse when she
resented what he said.
Yet how happy they were as they
| went home from Martha's; how gIee-
| fully they chatted about the pleasant
evening they had spent. Martha's love
and admiration for the professionals
love for her!
I'VE shall be just as happy, JOAN
Malcoimn said as he patted her hand
resting on his arm. They walked to
the subway. it was a lovely night, and
they had so much to talk about. It
was late. too, and not many on the
train, so they continued their con-
| fidences even in that noisy cavern OF
speed.
When Malcolm left her he said:
at must be soon, Joan. When will
| your book be finished ?"
| Its coming on fine, Won't Mumsie
be surprised?"
"Yes-and we shall be happy. Joan,
as happy as Martha and the professor
| are, shan't we dear?"
'I sincerely hope SO, but I'm afraid
| youn have to be awfully good to me,
! Malcolm"
! ct shall try to be, Joan"
Tomorrow - Margaret announces
| Joan's engagement.)