The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-01
four DANCING FEET
GERTIE PLANS FOR HER
TROUSSEAU
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 60

4nOOSSEAO
Chapter sc
How Gertie watched for the post
man, and then how she treasured the
letters she received from Tom, is but
the usual story of every young girl
very much in love with the man she
is going to marry.
Tim wrote enthusiastically of the
Its the one grand place." he
said, IT ride a pony every day, and
the chink shows me all over the
place. Mrs. Black, she's the woman
who takes care of the house. is
awful nice to me, but fuses. The
other day I got caught in a storm
and she made me go to bed and
gave me some kind of tea made out
of weeds. 1t was awful nasty, and
! Tom laughed at her and said a wet
ting wouldn't hurt me, that she
never had been boy or she'd know
it wouldn't. Her a boy! Gee, but
it was funny!
'I feed the chickens, find the
eggs, and 1 have learned to shoot,
the foreman showed me, he's a
peach! A great big long-1egged fell
low but he knows everything. He
brands the cattle, and the horses,
and almost runs the ranch. Tom
says he's the best foreman he ever
had. I'm going to be a foreman
when I grow up The chink cook
makes pancakes for me, and he's
wonder. Tom is awful busy, some
times I don't see him all day, but
I amt lonesome, there's always
something to do.
st got dog. His name is Bobby.
Tom gave him to me for my very
own. He stands on his hind feet
and begs when he is hungry, and
says his prayers at night, and does
lots of stunts, jumps over sticks,
p and everything. He's black, and
has long curly hair, and short legs.
I'm going to bring him home with
me when 1 come.
IT don't use a cane no more, and
my busted leg is just as good as
the other one. forgot to tell you
the chink cook makes tamales for
me, and lots of things we don't have
in New York. 1 used to think that
was the only place, but I'll tell the
world it amt no place for kids. This
is the life out here in tho country.
When I say so to Tom he always
laughs at me, and says: I hope
Gertie will think So He is always
sending me or the Chink to the post
office to see if there is letters. When
1 bring one from Gertie he always
gets gay and we have a good time.
st hope Ma don't cry because I'm
gone. Cause I'm havin' the time of
my life, wish I could stay here al
ways-if Ma was here
ours truly 1lHls
They laughed and cried over Tins
letter.
Yours truly, Tim seemed ridicu-
lousy funny to >Gertie.
Its just like a business letter
would end" she said laughingly.
st think it's a nice letter." Mrs
Cummings returned. HE sure is hav-
in a good time. God bless him.
hopes it won't make him not want to
go to school when he gifts back. Liv-
in so free and easy"
Don't worry Tim wants an edu-
ma, and he's bound to get it,
Gertie's Butterfly Dance had be-
vided her a handsome costume, and
she was encored nightly. AS yet nc
one knew of her engagement. She
had talked it over with her mother
and they had decided that a month s
warming would be sufficient. Fagin
was pleased and kind, but if he knew
he was to lose Gertie he might pos
sibly put some one in her place and
Gertie wanted to make as much as
possible.
Her simple trousseau was well I'M
der way. She would be married in a
travelling suit of blue serge. What
ever she bought was daintiIy made
but inexpensive. Even SO there was n
good deal of pinching in the house
hold that she might have the neces-
saries.
81 would like to be- married in a
white dress, but 1 can't afford it,
she said when Mrs. Arnold talked to
her of the wedding. 1.-The blue serge
will be more appropriate anyway.
And a good many people are married
in their going away dress. so jennie
teacher told me-" The teacher had
taken great interest in Gertie's love
affair, and had helped her in many
ways with her sensible advice
well, I hope you'll be happy way
off there. But you'll be lonesome
away from New York, and your folks.
Lilly says she'd as soon be dead as live
IN the country. She's a real city girl,
she isl
"I love the country, Mrs. Arnold,
and while I shall miss ma and the
children, Tom says they can visit US,
and I can come home when I want
TO-"
You're a lucky girl. Gertie. I'm
awful worried over my Lilly. But
I'VE always had hard time, seems
ike it's goin' to keep up long as
i've"
Gertie tried to reassure her. she was
80 happy she Ionged to see everyone
she knew happy, also.
(To be continued.)