The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-15
four DANCING FEET
DESERVED HAPPINESS
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter Z

DESERVED HAPPINESS
/ Chapter 7s.
Certie had been married three
years. A tiny boy chung closely to
her as she moved about the ranch.
Both she and Tom had been perfectly
happy, altho they weren't without
their little disagreements inevitable
between married people. But as Tom
said:
I'VE always kiss and make up be-
fore we leave each other, so our spats
don't amount to much"
| Jennie was teaching school. a kin
dergarten, and doing well. Tim was
| in school, preparing for college where
he was to take the course in agricul-
| ture Mrs. Cummings was happy in
her children, immensely proud of her
grandson. Before his arrival, she
had journeyed to the ranch and had
weeks old. The glory of Gertie's
home, Ter life, was to her an ever
increasing wonder. That Gtrl of
hers sh 1uld have such a home. SER
that adored her seemed. she told Mrs.
Arnold, ''almost too much"
IF Pa could only have lived to see
her" she. added.
perhaps if he had lived it wouldn't
have happenedi" the practical, jeal-
Gus reighbor replied. She never
ceased bewaIling the difference be
tween Gertie's life and Lilly'S-Lilly
from whom they had heard only once
since she left, and then it was but to
tell them her baby had died.
PA thought heap of his chill
dren." Mrs. Cummings went on, I'M
mindful. He always was talkin
about havin' them educated"
'Oh, well he's gone-God rest his
soul!"s
'.And you should see little Tom.
Mrs Arnold the split image of his
Pa!rAnd Gertie that tickled cause it's
so. She says to me: Il wouldn't
have had him look like me for any
thing. MAJ"
"Oh, well. maybe the next one"
That's what says when Tom said
he would rather the boy looked like
his mother. 1t would just about kill
about it.. And if the boy amt spoiled
with all the pettin' he gifts 1t will be
wonder. Why even that Chink is run
min after him, fussin' with him all the
time. I never thought the day would
come when I'd have anything to do
with Chinaman, but I guess there's
good Chinks as we'll as good Irish.
Anyway he's no mayhem"
you had a fine time out there
didn't you?" Mrs. Arnold asked
outside of New York save to Coney
Island, and the nearby beaches.
Yes, Mrs. Arnold, I did that,
wish your Lilly had stayed with Len.
They might have had a little home in
the country some day where you could
have visited"
sure they might! But no such
luck for me. Gertie was always a
good girl. always thinking of you"
Them Our girls started even, but
they're endin' a long ways apart"
Don't give up. Mrs. Arnold, Lilly
may come backgss ome day-
And do you think would be takin'
her back after what she's done? Dis
gracin' me! Shes made her bed. She
can lay in it,"
Sure you're wrong, Mrs. Arnold. No
matter what she's done she's your own
child. And L amt SO sure you amt
bit to blame yourself. You was too
easy with Lilly, gave her her own way
too much; let her think her own pleas
ure, how she looked was of more ac-
count than anythina else"
'I know-but 1 hated to cross her.
Mrs. Arnold sighed heavily as she
closed the door. They had been talk
ing in the hallway.
ITS just wonderful how things has
gone with me-" Mrs. Cummings solilo-
pulsed when again at work in the
kitchen, ct guess If a body does the
best they can, the best they know how,
and is honest and square in their deal
ing they come out right someway.
And I guess too that if we amt too
easy like with the children, If we learn
them to thinks of others, not to be
selfish, but kind and 1ovin' they is 60
in to turn out all right too-one way
or another. But we got to show them
we love 'em even while we is strict;
cause If we don't being strict amt
goin' to be any good. And the Lord
be praised no matter how poor a body
is they has got love. Just as much
love as the rich ones, more maybe.
Gertie always knowed I loved her.
even when she had to go without
things the other girls had-her earnin'
the money too. oh, WE'LL Tallxin' don't
change things much, but 1 heard
Gertie readin' once, she said:
God helps them what help them
selves or somethin' like that. Who
ever wrote that knew what they was
talkin' about, and sometimes we has
to do mighty lot of helpin'i"
Mrs. Cummings ceased her so1iIoquy
to stir up hot biscuits for Tim and
Jennie-perhaps she considered them
4 part of the help she gave.
THE END.
(Monday-A new story by Jane
u, - IL y