The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-24
four DANCING FEET
AN INSULT RESENTED
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter SO.

AN INSULT RESENTED
Chapter So.
at have watched you for a long
time" George Murphy said to Gertie-
You seem different from most dane
ing girls. How'd you come to do 1t
1--WE needed the money!" Gertie re-
piled with her usual honesty.
But you-you are too pretty to be
unusual fIower-like beauty that at
tracted him, the look of innocence in
her face.
Il can take care of myself
Il dent know about that" he re-
turned smiling a broad good-natured
smile. Someone might steal you"
They'd soon bring me back!" Her
thoughts flew to Tom Norris-he had
forgotten-almo lost, and he haC seemed
to think her pretty and nice
We'll, wouldn't! I'm going to
come and see you. and take you out
sometimes-if you will go with me-"
I'll go-I guess. I'm awful lone
some sometimes, even If Ma and the
kids are the best ever. But I don't
have much time to go out" She wasn't
sure she wanted to be with Murphy.
He was miles ahead of Len O'Conner,
but not anything like Tom Norris
her pattern-the man to whom she
compared all other men.
busy? Clerk or something beside do
ing this-dancing here half the
night?"
mo, but Ma makes me sleep till
noon, then 1 have to tend to my
clothes, study
STUDY
Eyes, 1 try to-" she was embar--
raised. She had not meant to tell
anything about her desire for an edu-
cation, but his sympathetic tone, his
interest, had led her on. ''Then you
see I have to be here at 1880. and it
takes me a long time to come"
Il see-so you study? Well, can
understand that. I got most of my
keeper in a big grocery store"
"Oh" To Gertie a bookkeeper was
a rather superior being.
st like you, and when a man likes
a girl he ought to tell her who he is,
don't you think so %
much about-fellows. Ma d3n't like
me to be with them unless she knows
who they are"
your mothers all right. I'll tell the
world. That's the idea, know who a
fellow is before you let a pretty kid
like you have anything to do with
her"
SAY. did Fagin give you mort
gage on that girl?' a young, dissipated
looking fellow lurched against the
table. It been watchin' her dance;
payin' for the privilege, same as you
It's my turn now, come on over to my
table, kid! I'll give you somethin'
beside ginger ale" He slapped his
hand over his pocket.
mo, 1 am going now" Gertie re-
piled, sorry she had yielded to her
desire to chat with Murphy.
"Oh. no you ANTI You're comm
with me" He put his hand on her
arm. "Fagin, the boss, is a friend of
mine, see!''
Murphy's face grew red, belliger-
ency marked his movements as he
rose.
get out of here and get quick!" he
No one can insult a kid that's with
me-
so she's yours, is she? knowed
it was all gaff about her being too
good to hook a fellow. I'll have a
good laugh at Fagin. Fagin's a friend
of mine joke. Got a
fellow and Fagin swore she was
Get out of here!" Murphy ad
vanced threateningly.
Coin to sit down with
Murphy waited no longer. His
doubled fist shot out, and the man
went sprawling over the table. The
orchestra was playing loudly, popular
jazz music, and the alteration had
so far attracted but little attention.
But the fellow was not yet done. He |
scrambled to his feet and raising a |
chair was about to use it as a weapon |
when Gertie screamed.
Put that DOWN.! Fagin had ap- !
peared on the scene. Forcibly he |
took the chair from the enraged man, |
then forced him into it. Then he
turned on Murphy.
Whatd you mean making q dis |
turbance in my place"
Il didn't make the disturbance-he |
that fellow there insulted Miss Cum
mingsF'
who are you?" Fagin asked,
Sowing.
Hes her fellow-the girl you said
was too good to hook a fellow"
It's a Hei" Gertie burst out, all |
the elemental IN her coming to the
surface at the insult. Its a lie!
amt never had any fellow, and you \
know it!' she glared at Fagin, for
getting she was employed by him, that
he could discharge her.
Got pep, tool" the man IN the chair
Ieered. Like 'en that way"
Come. Miss Cummings, I'll take
you home-if you will let me- Muir
ply said.
''You get out Of here! Raising a
in a respectable place" Fagin
laid. Come to my office tomorrow
night" he added to Gertie as they
moved away.
(Tomorrow-Murphy fights for
Gertie.l