The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-09
FOUR DANCING FEET
BY JANE PHELPS
TOMS ARRIVAL BRINGS JOY.
CHARTER At

CHAHIER AZ
Even little Tim was all excited when
he heard the news-wonderful news.
Say. Ma, perhaps If he stays in
New York long enough he'll give. me
ride in his buzz-wagon. The doctor
says I'll be up in a week or two. He's
big! He could carry me down stairsi
Gee. but it'd be nice to get out doorsi"
You mustn't ask, dearie. 1t amt
nice to ask for things"
Not even for a ride when you've
got busted Lego"
even if you didn't say anything" she
added as she saw the look of disap-
pointment on his face.
'Maybe.-Say Ma, Gertie's stuck on
him amt she?''
Il guess not She likes him tho.
He amt our class and I'd hate to have
my girl think too much of hint
might hurt her"
How hurt ?'
why dearie don't know as I can
rightly explain to a little boy like you.
but IL you like a person a lot. you
want them to like you just as much.
If you think they don't, it sorta
hurts" She patted his head as she
finished her explanation.
We'll, I'll bet he likes our Cert Just
as much as she like@ him. He used to
look as if he'd like to eat her-she's
most good enough to eat. too. So
mustn't say anything about getting a
ride p He returned to his first idea
mo. dearie: we amt Mever been
beggars, not for nothin' and we amt
goiR' to begin. Your Pa was very par
ticular bout that. He used to say
he'd wallop anyone he caught askin'
people for a penny or anythin' else.
Your pa was an awful proud man
Gertie is his double. When you git a
man perhaps you will have an. auto of
your own, so don't think bout it any
more-and who knows Perhaps Tom
will ask you all himself"
When I say my prayers I'm going
to pray awful hard he will Tim
answered.
Gertie was only just dressed when
the honk-honk of the siren drew Mrs.
Cummings and Jennie to the window,
and caused Tim to exclaim:
Gee, There he is now"
1t had taken Gertie a long time to
dress in spite of no new clothes. Her
hair had to come down twice before
she was suited. then she changed the
collar and cuffs on her shabby dress
that her mother had pressed Really
1t did not look so bad-she thought.
1t was warm day and perhaps she
wouldn't need her coat-there was no
use trying to hide its shabbiness. 1t
was worn threadbare but she would
take 1t Tom had spoken of her al
ways needing coat when she mo-
tored.
When she heard the siren she won
dered if he would come up. or If he
expected her to come down. Shed
wait a minute or two
Yes, he was coming up! She heard
her mother open the door into the
pretty living room then she heard
Tim call out a greeting. She thought
pridefully of the pretty room. so diff
rerent from the room in which they
had received him SO long ago. Then
blushing, but very happy she joined
them.
"How-de-do. Tom-Mr. Norris" she
said as he rose to meet her and their
hands met
IT'S always Tom Gertie. Don't
you Mister me-" Then: How well
you look! And what a nice apartment
you have" Gertie flushed hotIy, with
pleasure. He had called it an APART
ment," not a flat.
"Gertie got it for us with her raiser"
Tim volunteered.
of course she would-so you had
raise ?" he turned to Gertie.
Yes, and am in a much better
place than when you were here. They
are very nice to me, and-I don't sit
at any of the tables"
A quick look of pleasure crossed
That's fine! Now let's get on so
you can have a good ride I'll get
her back in good time, Mrs. Cum
mings." Then he turned to Tim.
Just as soon as the doctor says you
my car eats up the foad, Ell Tim ~
You mean-you'll-take mel, the
small boy exclaimed in ecstasy
Indeed will-not once but a good
many timesi"
Tim was sobbing for pure low as
Gertie and Tom climbed into the car,
Mrs. Cummings and Jennie watching
from the window.
(Tomorrow-Tom draws Gertie out.)