The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-11
THE NEW
GENERATION
MARGARET ANNOUNCES JOAN's
ENGAGEMENT.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER IL

Margaret was delighted when told
by Malcolm that he and Joan were
engaged. She thought him very
manly, and embraced him happily, re-
Winding him once again of the time
when she found him kissing Joan in
the hammock when they were chill
dren, and how she offered to let him
kiss her too.
You were awfully clever in those
days. Mrs. Hayden" Malcolm said.
i"Of course we didn't realize it then.
|. but the way you handled US boys and
girls was simply wonderful. They all
talk about the good times We had at
your house even yet, and of Hannah'S
cookies. I remember Hortense
Thompson once said she didn't believe
Hannah did anything in those days
but bake cookies and that she must
have stayed up all night at that. We
were awful little pigs, weren't we?"
I Margaret gave a little dinner to an
nounce Joan's engagement. She was
| to stay all night with her mother, so
after the young people had gone, she
and Malcolm, Margaret and Craig For
rester-whom Margaret ha& invited
without consulting Joan, saying she
needed some one to talk to-settled
down in the dainty living room for a
| chat.
81 never saw anything like these
! chrysanthemums,' Margaret said
you were a dear to send them,
Craig"
Indeed you were!" Joan broke in.
81 was almost overwhelmed when I
saw them" They had been given to
Joan, great ragged yellow blooms that
gave just the touch of beauty the
room needed.
81 did not know you ever felt over
! whelmed,' JOAN" Craig answered.
! smiling.
"Oh. yes I doi-sometimes"
Joan had watched Craig Forester
| closely that evening, had seen his
eyes light up whenever they rsted on
her mother. A babe in arms would
have known he was in love with her,
she thought, a feeling of annoyance
stirring within her. 1t was nice in him
| to send flowers for her party, but that
needn't make him feel he was entitled
to love her mother.
After both Craig and Malcolm left,
Margaret and Joan talked a little be-
fore retiring.
You were a dear to give me din
ner," Joan said.
You seem to forget at times, dear.
that am your mother. Why shouldn t
L give you dinner?"
81 guess you should-am I very dif-
ferent from other girls, mumsie ?"
Goodness MOI What question
ST just wondered that was all. You
see we have never been just like other
mothers and daughters, we have been
SOIb OA-O1uIuS 1871 the WOrU
either-not until lately, we've each
gone our own gait, rather independent
~, and''E
Speak for yourself, Joan. I never
have Known what it meant to be indie
pendent until since 1 came to New
York.
'T guess that's so, Malcolm and T al
most quarreled over that very thing
He called me a Selfish little beast
| What do you think of that, mumsie p
TIN sure he didn't mean it,
ooh, don't know! He pretended tc
| think you wouldn't want to live will
us. We almost quarreled over it.
told him never would marry him un-
less you did,
Margaret was almost stunned She
had believed Joan would be reasonable
once she was engaged to Malcolm
would be willing her mother should dc
whatever she liked, and here she was
on the very day her engagement was
announced saying she would refuse tt
/ marry Malcolm unless Margaret lived
with them.
Don't quarrel with Malcolm oyel
anything, Joan. Bitter wards leave E
sting hard to forget. He il a dear boy
L expect you will be very happy. But
Joan, you must not plan to have ms
live with you and Malcolm. I have
had a bit OF freedom-as well as YOU
and enjoy it,
But you would be just as free
Joan hesitated, while a crimson flusl
swept her Ease.
You wouldn't stay with me altht
told you you would be just as FIRE.
here as in the village" Margaret re
turned, smiling. Whats sauce for tn,
goose. JOAN
IT know-but, mumsie it is somehow
different. You are widow and M
mother. 1t won't seem right not X
live with me-"
'Well, you aren't married yet Conn
let us go to bed. You'd better give III
the studio and stay with me until YOU
wedding"
mot yet. mumsie, I have som,
work to finish,'' Joan replied.
Il guess Malcolm 1s right and vol
are "a selfish little beast" Margare
returned. kissing her fondIy
(Tomorrow-Malcolm and Joan quar-
rel)