The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-17
four DANCING FEET
GERTTE DETERMINES TO BE
DIFFERENT
BY JANE PHELPS


Chapter 81.
'Say Gertie, Jim Denton has asked
me to go TO Coney Island Sunday, why
don't you and Len come along? You'll
/ be a long time dead, and you might as
well have a little fun while you live
Lilly and Gertie were on their way
home. Gertie had been unusually
quiet, and Lilly had leased her about
. it before suggesting she and Len
( should go to Coney Island.
IAN right If Len asks me I'll co.
over himself he'll be so tickled. He's
stuck on you, Cert"
That don't mean nothing to me-
You're a queer girl. Len makes
lots of money. He's good looking too"
He was in a big, coarse kind of a way.
well, 1 told you I'd go if he asked
me, didn't L? But I won't stand for
any nonsense, Lilly. I hate the fellows
when they get fresh
IAN got to say is you've got to let
them be a bit fresh if you have any
fun with them. They think they de-
serve .somthin' for their money"
Sunday morning dawned bright and
lovely. Len, acting on hint from
Lilly, had asked Gertie to so, and she
had accepted.
Ever toddIed at Larimore's?" Len
: asked as they rolled along in the
crowded subway. He had found seats
and chatting, amused because of the
crowd who failing to be so fortunate,
had grumbled at Lens pushing until
he had seated his party.
mo / never been there"
swell placel Dandy music, too"
That's nice"
Perhaps she could have soee good
times even il she did hold herself like
a good girl.
Len leaned toward her:
avon 1OoIr auyfr1I "a
said not troubling to lower his voice.
Wen show them a thing or two when
We get on the floor"
Gertie didn't share his enthusiasm
over dancing. She had enough of that
at Fagin's. She would rather sit on
the beach, or go'to some of the shows.
But she didn't say so. She had prom
ised Lilly she would try to join in the
fun. and if they wanted TO dance, why
she'd dance.
They went directly to the dance
hall. In the waiting room Len pulled
a flask from his pocket and poured a
drink into a. collapsible cup.
"I always go prepared he said,
offering it TO Gertie after he had care
fully filled it. IT'S good stuff. Won't
hurt you
But I never drink anything, Len"
This is an extra occasion, just
swallow
Gertie just touched her lips to the
edge of the cup, more in response to
a look from Lilly. than to please Len.
The stuff burned her throat and she
choked a little, making them laugh.
J Look here" Len said, IF you. didn't
want to have a little pep, and enjoy
yourself what'd you come for?"
It can enjoy myself without that!
1t would make me sick"
Don't coax her, Len" Jim Denton
broke in, more for the rest of u.s.
Lilly took only a sip, but she did it
with a staggering air, that saved her
from criticism. The two men took
drink, then Len put the cup and the
bottle into his pocket.
There's more when you want it,
he said, and it costs money nowadays.
1 paid SO for a bottle last night
Wont they arrest you If they know
you have it?" Gertie asked almost
wishing she hadn't come. 'srhey
raided Fagin's one night. 1 was
scared most to death. Isn't it against
the law to have it in your poclSet?"
Its my pocket I'd like to see
seeing the worried look on Gerties
face said: Don't worry. Gertie, I'll
not let anything happen while you are
with me-
IT know you won't, Len" vet she
wished he had left the bottle at home.
They danced for an hour, then found
an eating place where Len said the
food was swell, better than your
mother makes"
Gertie was tired and relaxed IN her
chair, eating little, watching the
others In spite of herself she COM
their table manners-or lack of them
with hisNway of eating. A great
wave of nausea swept over her. Why
had she Gomez
(Tomorrow-A proposal of marriage.)