The Topeka state journal., 1922-05-09
four DANCING FEET
GERTIEs VALUE INCREAsEs.
BY JANE PHELPS

VALUE 1zNOLbE4e1E1EkS.
Chapter 20.
Rosenburg was furious when, Gertie
told him of Fagan's offer.
Dirty Irishman, snoopin' around
then tryin' to steal my girls!'' he
growled- ''What'd he offer you to play
me such a trick % -
Five dollars a month more'u Won
pay, Mr. Roselburg. And we need the
money" Mrs Cummings had figured
what such an enormous increase would
mean to them ALL Perhaps a little bet
ter place to live, or another room
where they were; and more things for
them all in the way of wearing ap-
parel
Rosenburg muttered an oath. Five
dollars! That was more than he bar
gained for. But as Gertie had in
creased in value in Fagan's eyes be-
cause he wanted her; SO she now in
creased in Rosenburgh's eyes because
Pagan thought her worth what he had
offered.
You remember you promised to
stay if I gave you the same? ~ he said
after a while. ''Will you sign con-
tract if I do?''
'T I'll let you know" Gertie was
not sure of her own judgment. She
would have Jennie explain the new Sit
uation, and again ask her teachers ad-
vice.
Rosenburg- -angry-pleaded, swore,
but finally had to rest content with
Gertie's promise to tell him the next
day.
On their way home she told Lilly.
Gee, Cert! What you doin' vampin'
them? I amt seen no managers run
min after me, and I dance most as
good as you! say, Cert, if You goes
to the Olympic, can't you get me in
too?"
IF go I'll try. Lilly"
what ails you lately? Anybody'd
think it warn't nothing to git managers
was me I'd be hghtin' up old Broad
way with my hollerin'. You's must be
worrin' about somethin'. 1t amt that
feller, Tom. is it? Fergit him. Cert
L told you he didn't mean anythin'!"
I'm not orrying-much." Gertie
answered. Not even to Lilly could she
talk about Tom, her disappointment
that he had not written
Cut it out. Gertiei There's a lot
OF Fellows willin' to dig up for a girl
like you. He didn't never do nothing
for you as could see oily feed your
face"
That he had fed Gertie's little
starved soul at the same time, Lilly
would not have understood: even
Gertie did not, altko she knew that in
some way contact with him had. made
her want to- be different
Mrs. Cummings and Gertie waited
from school the next day. She had
promised to ask the teacher for her
opinion. 5a Z
Wen. whatd she sax?', sGertie
asked as soon as the HttleA girl came
in, while Mrs. Cummings stopped dish
ing the stew to listen
she says if you gave your word
ana. MI Rosenburg keeps his and gives
you the same you will have to stay a
while. But that if the place is a bet
that YOU can tell him you VIII leave
after certain time. She said two or
three months would be all right
II you stay will Rosenburg give
you the five dollars?" Mrs Cummings
asked anxiously. It would be hard,
now now she had planned to use it. to be
Hes got to!'' Gertfe answered.
And, ma, I amt sure that other one, |
Pagan, would take Lilly
You can't always hold back for
her!" Jennie broke in TT amt fairt
You are prettier than she is and I
think you dance better. She's more
stylish, tho" she added. Style to these
children meant just as much as it did |
to the children of the avenues. That
it was cheap imitation made no diff
ference
"Gertie can be stylish too now.'
Tim said. II guess she won't have to
give all she earns to US" He was a
manly little fellow, very proud when
he earned a little: I'm getting so
can help more, amt I, ma -
'Itdon't care so awful much about |
being stylish Gertie said slowly. I'D !
rather learn things, and have things
better here. And, ma. now you can |
have a new dress tc go to church" |
Some way Gertfe couldn't feel any en-
thusiasm for herself If only that let |
ter from the manager of the. Olympic |
had been from Tom! But she tried to !
enter into the spirit of the family !
Ma was so pleased. poor MAJ She had |
had a hard time always.
Rosenburg stormed, he used every |
argument he could think of to compel |
Gertie to sign a contract. But in vain. |
Gertie was like all-people. of little edu- |
make them afraid of a |
paper. fearful of signing their name, |
and they are almost impossible to con- /
vince
Finally he had to be content.
"&ou'H stay three months?''
Yes
''I'll find some way to keep her. he |
said that night as he noted how the |
young fellows, and older ones also, !
were interested and amused while |
Gertie danced. She often refused
invitations to sit at ables |
with them. but without making them |
less friendly. She was a drawing card /
and that meant money for Rosen-
bureR
CToKorrow-The postman leaves a |
package.)
FTFN" T0T