The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-19
THE NEW
GENERATION
Ru ZANE PHELPS
MALCOLM IGNORES JOAN.
BIZ JANE PHELPS


Chapter 124.
After Joan reached the street she
walked slowly. occasionally glancing
over her shoulder. Where was Nal
colin? why hadn't he followed, to
make peace with her? He must be
made to see that AIumsie should live
with them, that it was right that she
should. Why. it was unbelievable that
Malcolm, who had loved her always,
whom she had promised to marry,
should drive her mother either to a
lonely life, or-to marriage.
Without volition came the thought
If Mumsie were to marry Craig For
roster it would make everything right,
save only that the whole idea of sec
ond marriage was wrong, indecent,
horrid. But the thought chung, and
the more closely because she saw
nothing of Malcolm. He had let her
leave in anger, and had not followed
her. She could not give him up-she
wiped her eyes as she thought of her
life separated from Malcolm.
Hell be down to the studio after
while. I'll get some cheese and make
him a. rarebit," she said to herself,
cheered at once by the thought OF
service.
But the package of cheese lay I'M
opened in the little kitchenette, the
chatting dish unlighted. Malcolm did
not come, neither did he telephone.
81 hate hin!" Joan sobbed as the
clock struck Z. 81 hate himi-Oh, L
love you, Malcolm, why don't you
to the telephone to call him, and as
often when her fingers touched the re-
ceiver pride came to hold them back
and she turned away. Finally she put
on her hat, and went out.
Half an hour later Hannah let her
into her mothers apartment.
where's Mother? %
HGOne 70 dinner and a NAV Miss
Joan. Have you had any dinner?''
mo, and I don't want any" Joan
swallowed sob.
''Oh, yes you do, Honey! I'll get
you, bite in jiffy. Somethin' is
troublin' of you" she gazed anxiously
at the tear stained face, land good
meal is the best cure for trouble I
know" She hurried away, and as
Joan laid off her hat and sank into a
chair. she heard the old servant
busting about the kitchen preparing
her dinner.
For all her unhappiness, Joan man
aged to eat very good dinner and, as
Hannah had prophesied, she felt in
finitely better. Yet she was miser-
able, she persuaded herself, totally
and wholly miserable. The telephone
tangled, and with an eager look she
hurried to answer it. But that look
that changed to cold indifference as
she lifted the receiver to her ear.
She'd show Malcolm he couldn't treat
her as he had with impunity. But it
was not Malcolm'S voice-a friend of
her mothers wanted to speak with
Mrs Hayden.
Disappointment flooded over her
She had been so sure it was Malcolm,
that he had called the studio at last
and, finding her out, had tried to get
her here.
81 don't carei" she muttered as she
disconsolately returned to a book in
which she had no interest. But hot
tears forced themselves between her
and it's pages, until in a spasm of hurt
anger she threw it violently from her.
Hannah heard, and rushed in to find
the cause, sure her beloved little Joan
was terribly unhappy over something.
what is it. Honey" she took Joan
into her arms, and crooned over her.
Tell old Hannah, dear. Maybe she
can help you"
controllab1e burst of sobs followed.
Don't be so sure, Honey. Tell Han
nah.'
AS she so often had done when a
child, Joan poured out. her pitiful lit
tie tale to the sympathizing servant
who cuddled her closely against the
faithful breast.
why. honey dear. is that aH?'
Hannah asked as Joan finished her
tale, told haltingly, broken by tears
and sobs. "And is that what you are
spoiline your pretty face for?"
'Ani Isn't it enough?" Joan asked,
her terrible confession-should be taken
SO lightly.
CTomorrow-Old Hannah philoso-
phiZes.)