The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-03
four DANCING FEET
GERTIE TELLS GEORGE MURPHY
OF HER ENGAGEMENT.
BY JANE PHELPS
81


Gertie had not seen George Murphy
for some time. In fact only once had
she talked to him since the night he
asked her to marry him, so she was
surprised to find him waiting for her
after she finished dancing.
He walked along with her, talking
rather embarrassedly, for time al
tho insisting he would take her all the
way honfe. In the subway they talked
Of Lilly. her marriage, George said:
well. I saw Lilly at Rosenburg's with
a pretty gay crowd the other night,
and Len wasn't along"
Perhaps he couldn CO." Gertie re-
piled. ever ready to find an excuse for
people
its his business to go-if she
does"
my, George. what a strict young
man you have become!" Gertie
tried to speak lightly. She knew Lilly
genial, as they had expected to be, but
she was too loyal to admit it.
'You-haven't changed your mind
about me. Gertie?'' he asked wistfully.
NO, George and George, am
going to be married in the fall, SO you
mustn't think any more about me. I
mean in that way. I hope we'll be
friends always. I'll never forget how
good you were to me that night we
were taken to the station house,
heard anything else.
"You don't know him, his names
Tom Norris. He's from the west"
rs it the man who used to come
for you in carr"
Yes Gertie looked her surprise.
She had no idea George had seen her
with Tom.
Hess he all right. Gertie =?
Honest with you, I mean? He isn't
your-our kind, and sometimes"
~ h
George must tell you about him,
how good he has been to all of us.
Tim is out on his ranch now. getting
we'll"
st was only thinking of you, Gertie.
You deserve the best ever
Gertie told him of Tom, how they
met, and how he had helped her study
and improve herself. OF his kindness
to her, and to them all.
HE isn't in my class. George, but he
loves, me, ana I am very happy. I
want you to understand George, be-
cause we have been good friends. I
hope you won't feel badly. 1 didn't
care for you that way-not to marry
you-even before he asked me. So
that made no difference" Gertie
know that she was unable to talk as
she would like to about Tom-she felt
too keenly, cared too much to be very
lucid in her explanations. Then, too,
she hated to hurt George.
you must forgive me for speaking
as did, Gertie, but I know some of
those society men-Imen like him with
money. make up to a pretty girl for
no good.'
'T know, George, and I'm not angry.
Tom isn't really a society man al
tho he's educated, a college man.
But he says he's a rancher, almost
like farmer. See my ring!' she held
up her hand.
That's some sparkler, Gertie. do
hope you'll be happy, and I'm glad for
you. I never knew a girl quite like
you-and I guess that's why l." the
poor fellow was really very much in
love with Gertie, and had hoped that
in time she would change her mind as
regarded him. But he was also the
sort who could rejoice in her happi-
ness even tho IL meant his own BAN
ishment. So he smiled while his heart
ached for her, determined he would
not cloud that happiness by letting her
see his suffering.
won't you come in a minute? Ma
always liked you and IL she's up she
will be glad to see you, She is up.
can tell by the light in the living
room"
mot tonight. Gertie. Some other
time perhaps"
'I hope you'll not let what I've told
you make you keep away, George
Still afraid she might have hurt him.
mo Gertie, and want to say again
that I hope you will be happy"
Love is no respecter of persons, and
as George Murphy left Gertie he felt
that as far as happiness was con-
cerned-happines that meant a wife
and a home, he would never expert
ence 1t.
(Tomorrow-Gertie tells Fagin.)