The Topeka state journal., 1922-06-13
FOUR DANCING FEET
A KEEN DISAPPOINTMENT
BY JANE PHELPS

A KEEN DISAPPOINTMENT
Chapter so
Both Gertie and Tom seemed, quietly
content on the ride home Neither
talked much, yet what Tom said was
IN a way wonderful to Gertie. AS
they neared her home he asked:
shall We take another ride tolnor-
row if it is pleasant? If it should rain
may run down and see how Tim is?"
his eyes twinkled as he turned them
upon her making her blush.
Yes, Tom, I'd love the ride, and if
it rains shall be glad to see you at
home" 1t never entered Gertie's mind
to pretend, to coquette with him in
any way. There was nothing in her
of the sort of dishonesty and pretense
which Lilly used to draw her suitors
on. She was bluntly truthful. She
liked Tom Norris, she loved to ride
with >him, wanted him to come and
see her-why should she hide II?
A flirt Gertie never had been, never
would be. Tom realized the simpl
unaffected honesty of the girl, and it
was an added attraction.
Goodbye. Tom said as they drew
up to the curb. THE weather will de-
side what we do tomorrow
Half way up the stairs Gertie
stopped suddenly. He hadn't said one
word about coming to see her dance.
Perhaps he was going somewhere with
his rich friends. And she looked so
nice in her lovely, white dress.
But once in the room with the fam
lily she had no time for her thoughts,
because of their loving curiosity. When
she told Tim that Tom had repeated
what he had said about taking him
out; that he would talk to the doc
tor; the boy had another fit of joyous
hysteria. Then she had to describe
her ride, their midday dinner, just the
very things they had had SO long ago,
the ride home-everything 1t was as
If the entire family had had the out
ing. not Gertie alone.
Hes awful sweet on you, Cert, amt
he?" Tim asked when she stopped for
breath.
You mustn't talk that way, Tim!
He's just a friend-no nonsense at
all." Gertie returned, sharply for her.
Don't get mad was only teasing
you, Cert. wish he was your beau.
I like him best of any the fellows
you know"
Jennie broke in:
"Oh, you do 1t makes so much diff
ference to a girl whether a kid like
you cares for her fellow or not! I
guess Gertie won't ask you when she
gets ready to get married. so don't be
thinking it's up to you to choose her
beauxi"
Here you two stop quarrelin' about
your sister. She amt asking either of
you for any advice. Time to give it
when she does. And-I don't want
her to get too friendly-with any
OnG- IlHlSnGQ. All
the time Gertie had been talking, tell
ing of her outing. answering ques-
tions. Mrs. Cummings had felt the old
anxiety clutching her. Gertie mustn't
care too much for this young man SO
out of her own class-she might get
There was a good deal of sentiment
in Mrs. Cummings She had really
loved her hard-working husband: they
had been very happy in spite of their
f-y- he, ut -
happiness. but could not feel it would
be gained by mixing with those in a
different station. George Murphy was
as high as she would have thought of
looking for Gertie-a nice honest fell
low with a good position. Tom Nor
ris. when she thought of him as atten-
tive to Gertie, rather frightened her.
Gertie was in a fever of expectation
as she reached the cafe. In the dress
ing room she failed to reply to the
badinage of the other girls, and they
declared she must be in love. Nothing
went just right; nothing quite suited
her. Her hair, the way her sash was
tied. all seemed wrong because OF her
anxiety to look her best
Once on the floor with the other
girls. her eyes swept the place. She
could not find Tom. 1t was early she
thought he would be there later, in
time to see her dance alone.
But she had danced, then the revue
was finished, and yet no Tom. Disap-
pointed she dressed for the street, and
let George Murphy, who was waiting
for her, take her home.
What makes you so quiet. Gertie?"
he asked. Not cross with me, are
you?"
NO. George. why should be?"
Il don't want you to ever get cross
with me, Gertie, L"
There comes Lilly and someone 1
never saw her with beforei" Gertie
interrupted. She had no desire to
listen to love making-not George
Murphy's, anyway.
(Tomorrow-Lilly sees Tom at the
theater)