The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-28
four DANCING FEET
GERTIE WEARS A DIAMOND
BY JANE PHELPS

GERTIE WEARS A DIAMOND
Chapter So
| (which one do you like best % Tom
Norris held two rings in his hand, then
slipped first one then the other on
Gertie's finger.
They're both SO lovely. Tom,
They were lovely, flawless dia-
monds beautifully set in platinum. Not
too large, Toms good taste prevented
his giving a girl in Gertie's position
anything gaudy.
Take your time, Miss" the clerk
smiled. He was accustomed to the in
decision of newly enga ged couples. ''It
| is only small matter q choice of the
setting, the diamonds are about the
same"
Finally Gertie chose. and it pleased
Tom that she took the one he ad-
mired most, altho he had not said so.
There had been nothing said about
price it was simply a question of
what pleased her. Now in a low voice
Tom spoke to the clerk, and then
wrote a check. Gertie was just a bit
curious Her lovely ring must have
cost a lot. She hoped Tom hadn't been
extravagant.
They visited a florists and he
bought her a lovely corsage bouquet
Of sweet peas. and some flowers to
take her mother. Then after an hours
he had loved her the first time he saw
her; how he had dreamed and thought
of her, and how wonderful it would
be to have her the mistress of his
home.
Such talk made her very happy, but
she had not yet ceased to wonder at
his choosing her instead of some So
ciety girl, and said so. Tom slowed
down, and laying his hand on hers
said:
Dear. you must never talk like
that! You are sweet. good, pretty.
What more can a man want? won't
have you say such things about the
girl love. Ny gtrl!'
"All right. Tom. won't any more!"
she replied happily.
When she showed her ring at home
it caused almost as much excitement
as her engagement had. Mrs Cum
the most wonderful ring they ever
saw.
Them sparzlers in Coony's pawn
shop amt nothing like it, the boy de-
the children of the neighborhood.
Always there were a row standing on
tip-toe, some of them to look at the
trays of diamonds and other things
displayed
I'D get married too if I thought I'd
have a ring like that" Jennie said.
Who'd you find to marry you what
could buy it?" Tim saucily inquired.
stop your noise, Tim" Mrs. Gum
man some day-a good one hope"
II amt never going to git married,
Ma I'll stay with you
That would be fine, Tim His
mother smiled at him. AS he was not
quite IS, she felt no uneasiness.
There's a law against babies get
ting married" Jennie disdainfully de-
clared.
Il amt no baby' No more'n you
7
would, but I wouldn't marry a sassy
girl like youi''
There. there. children. stop your
teazin' each other! Tim behave you
Hello. Lilly.s Gertie's sparkler's
bigger than yours!" Tim called out
before anyone else could speak
Let me see it. Gertie." Lilly was
accustomed to Tim, knew what
Isn't it lovely?" Gertie held up her
hand so the light played on the stone
LILLY gasped, then took hold of Ger
ties hand, turning the ring so she
could dmire the setting.
IT'S perfectly lovely, Cert! Where'd
he buy it?"
AT Tiffany's."
How much did it cost?''
clerk a check"
Didn't you ask how much it was?"
Why. no. wouldn't do that
We'll, l would You bet I know
how much Len paid for mine. 1t
looks awful yellow and common he
side yours I've half a notion to make
Len change it," The stone in Lilly's
ring was the larger, but was off color,
and heavily set, instead of daintiIv
as was Gertie's
Don't you doNno such thing, Lilly"
Mrs. Cummings. who had been listen
ing, said. Len O'Conner is a good
boy; and he like as not thought a lot
of buyin' that ring for you. Don't
hurt his feelings by sayin' you like
Gertie's better Men is just as easv
hurt them ways as women"
(Tomorrow-Two mothers exchange
ideaS.)