The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-26
four DANCING FEET
TOM MEETS GERTIEs MOTHER
BY JANE PHELPS

TOM MEETS GERTIRs MOTHER.
CHAPTER 9.
tom says he will take US home,
Lilly, If you like to co. Gertie said
as Lilly Joined them at the entrance.
You bet I'll like it, 1t amt often
get such a swell chance"
Tom heard and wished the girls
wouldn't say "swelI' so often. He won
dered if he spoke to Gertie about it if
it would offend her.
Better wait until you know her
better" he said to himself, lit might
hurt her feelings-poor kid" Then:
''An aboard it's a tight squeeze, but
this little roadster has carried three
before"
,'IittIei" Lilly repeated disdaining
his descr. ption. And the long, rakish,
high-powered roadster did give an i'm
preston of size.
Lilly told Gertie afterward she was
hoping he'd offer to take them up
Riverside Drive. But he took them
directly home and stood on the walk
with uncovered head until they went
in. He had reminded Gertie he would
be there the next day-Sunday, at 2
o'clock to meet her mother; afterward
they would go for their drive.
las if 1 could forget if l tried to"
she said to herself.
THAT you, Gertie?" her mother
called as she went in. "Who was you
talkin' to? 20
tom brought US home, me and
Lilly, in that same car he took me
riding in. And maj he's coming to
see you tomorrow"
''To see mel What for?" Genuine
amazement in her voice. What could
this young man want of her?
He says he wants, to know you.
told him things about you-I guess
that was it-how you asked me not
to smoke-and things"
well, get to bed, child Wen all
have to git up early to set things 10
rights before he gifts here. The chill
dren will have to git their baths, and
tidy up. What times he comm %
Two o'clock and, mai He's going
to take me riding in his car again.
Out into the country like We did
before
We'll go to bedi I'm sleepy. You
can talk in the mornin'.''
But if Mrs. Cummings was sleepy,
sleep did not come to her until day
light sent a shaft of gray morning
light into the narrow window beside
her bed.
Who was this man who seemed to
like 'Gertie so well? What did he
mean? He looked like a. man very
different from anyone she ever had
seen with either Gertie or Lilly. He
had a good face as she had seen it
from the window; and Gertie said he
had a face one could trust. But what
did Gertie know about men? If she
wasn't so poor she could keep her
child home, away from that cabaret
1t was too bad Gertie didn't have an
then she could be a clerk
in a store, or a stenographer in an
office-that was what Jennie was go
ing to be. And Gertie was so good
so generous.
Dear God, don't let her go wrong"
he mother prayed, then having laid
her troubles before Him, she slept for |
L couple of hours before the days |
1uties began.
The family was up betimes, altho |
he children grumbled bit because |
hey were routed out so early. Mrs. |
Cummings let them sleep a little later |
IN Sundays, all but Tim who must get |
put with his papers.
Such a cleaning and polishing as
went on. Jennie was almost as excited |
Is Gertie over Toms expected visit |
She would wear the new dress. Gertie |
would want them all to look nice. In |
| way her attendance at school, denied |
Fertie, had made Jennie rather of an |
oracle in the family. Teacher says |
his, or teacher says that, was taken |
Is gospel by all of them.
Tim was cautioned to come home, |
lot to stop to play marbles. He too /
must be dressed up
Promptly at 2 o'clock the honk- |
lonk of a machine was heard.
Hes conlei He's comei" Anna,
ICED Z. called excitedly. her little
ound, snub-nosed face pressed against
he window pane.
Come away from there! Amt you
;ot no manners?'' her mother said,
her white apron. Mrs.
cummings never was at ease without
n apron.
Gertie opened the door to Tom.
Ter cheeks flaming. What would he I
hink of theepoor room that served
or kitchen, dining room, and parlor
IL in one?
''Come in. Tom. Ma, this is Tom
md she's Jennie, and that's Anna,
i'm. come and speak to Tom" She
Ieayed a sigh, perfectly audible, when
he introductionS were over. Never
ad she gone thru such a terrifying
experience.
'T am so glad to meet you Mrs.
Tom extended his hand.
Thich she shook heartily. TT was
God OF you to let me come. What a
ice family you have" He seemed
al ease. Gertie ceased to feel |
III
"They are nice children; God be
raised" Mrs. Cummings returned. /
makes friends with
the family.)