The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-22
FOUR DANCING FEET
A MOTOR RIDE WITH TOM
NORRIS.
81 JANE PHELPS


NOHRIS.
Chapter 6.
You look real nice, Gertie," Mrs
Cummings said as she took last sur
vey of her first-born before the girl
went down to meet the man who ''had
a face she could trust"
It's the best I've got, and if I don't
suit him he'll have to go somewhere
else" Gertie replied with an air OF
bravado. But her cheeks were flushed
and her eyes bright with anticipation
as she kissed her mother goodbye, and
promised to be home in time to go to
the show with Lilly.
Most likely I'll be home to dinner,
but If he should ask me to go to one of
the Fifth Avenoo joints I wouldn't like
to say no." she had added with a
laugh. which held back of it the wish
that just that very thing might hap
pen. Not the Fifth Avenue part, but
the dinner.
The honk-honk of the motor drew
the mother and Jennie, aged IL, to the
hall window which overlooked the
street.
II see him. Cert! He's awful swelll''
Jennie called out excitedly. "See, he's
lookin' up. oh geei he grinned at
me-
please don't be staring at u.s."
Gertfe replied as she waited to see if
he would ring the bell. Her soft
cheeks burned, her eyes sparkIed.
Then the bell rang and she ran quickly
down the stairs.
Good afternooni It is good of YOU
to be all ready. How sweet you look"
The two WATCHERS and listeners at
the head of the stairs smiled at each
other as they heard, then scurried
Tom Norris help Gertie into the smart
runabout, take his place at the wheel,
and run the car swiftly down the
street, out of sight.
Amt he swell?" Jennie asked.
Hes nice looking" the mother an
the question she asked herself. Did
he mean to be honest with her girl e?
She felt stirred, and infinitely anxious.
isn't it grand!" Gertie breathed
rather than spoke as the car skinned
blithely along the country road
Neither had said much while in town.
Tom scarcely knew the traffic reguIa-
tons well enough to do anything more
than watch his driving. He had said:
You won't mind if I don't talk until
we get out of this crush, will you ?"
and Gertie had shaken her head, too
delighted with the motion of the car
and her nearness to Tom to sneak
But once beyond the city limits Tom
let the car out for a few moments just
so Gertie could see how he could drive
so he explained to her when he
slowed down to talk.
Now tell me your name, mine is
Tom Norris
Mine is Gertie Cummings. Every
one calls me Gertie or Cert
III call you Gertie. I don't like
that other, it doesn't sound like you.'
Then. You must call me Tom, be-
friends"
Are WEI"
"of course we are! Now, Wen take
a spin. Then when it comes dinner
7 know nix =
have dinner. VIII you like that,
''Oh. yes, only we must get back in
time to go with Lilly to the show. I
promised Ma"
I'm get you back all right"
For an hour they drove along the
roads, chatting and laughing
as the young and care-free always do.
Gertie had forgotten everything save
that she was with this wonderful
young man who treated her like a
queen as she afterward told her
mother. And he, for a year deprived
Of the society of young people be-
cause of the loneliness of his ranch.
was intrigued with her youth, her
beauty-her delight in him.
They had dinner on the porch of an
nm 1t was the first time Gertie had
eaten out of doors and her naive de-
ions about her home life, her family,
and the simple tale of struggle with
poverty touched him deeply, the more
because Gertie seemed not to realize
he pathos in it.
She told of the death of her father, |
now the careleSsly dropped words of
he two women in the motor car had |
decided her to dance to help her
mother. She made light of her strug-
sles before she found a place as we'll |
Is of the fact that most of what she |
armed went into the family purse.
Then, almost before she knew it, she |
vas telling him of her disappointment !
hat she couldn't have some things !
'ther girls had.
81 try not to let Ma know II would /
worry her." she said simply.
There's one thing other girls have |
am glad you don't wear" Tom said, I
ather bashfully, considering his ex-
,erience-
whats that ?" she asked, e. es wide.
Those very thin stockings. think !
hey-well. I'd hate to see you wear
hem, that's ALL
And she had wanted SIS to buy a
'air to wear out with him. oh, how
lad she was that her mother hadn't |
ct her have it, He had noticed her
Kicker ones and had liked her better |
because she wore them.
1t was a very gay little Gertie who
old her mother what Tom had said.
nd confessed that thin stockings had
zen what she wanted the money for
gay and so happy.
(To be continued.)