The Topeka state journal., 1922-06-30
four DANCING FEET
LILLY AND LEN MARRY.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 65.

Tom and Tim had gone, ana lie
once more ran on in the old routine
for Gertie Cummings. Yet into that
routine had come a joyousness. an
undercurrent of happiness so intense
it frightened her at times.
The goodbye had been painful
would have been fearful perhaps but
for Tins nonsense: he was so excited,
SO full of joy that he kept them laugh
ing. altho before he was out of sight
Mrs. Cummings tears flowed
Before Tom left he had exacted q
promise from Gertie. She. would
marry him in six months
IT will lend Jennie enough to finish
her course at school. she can pay me
interest as well as principal when she
commences to teach. 1t will be a
business transaction just as l would
lend money to man, he told them
when Mrs. Cummings and Gerie de-
INJURED. Finally heI convinced them,
and obtained Gertie's promise. They
would write often and IL possible he
would return in the fall with Tim for
short visit.
The DAYS and weeks flew in spite
of Gertie's longing for Tom. or Mrs.
Cummings complaint that she didn' I
know what to do with herself without
Tim.
Lilly Arnold was married. Gertie
had stood up with her." Lilly looked
very pretty in her bridal finery. a
white satin dress, tulle veil, orange
blossoms and all.
I'm going to be married like other
girls she had said when Mrs. Cum
mings had asked her about her dress.
wear the dress afterward like would
if 1 got a dark one, but I don't care
if I never wear it again. Len gave
me the money, and I'm going to nave
white satin and all the fixings."
Len had taken her to Atlantic City
for their honeymoon. They would be
gone a week, then would live not far
from her old home, in the neighbor-
hood of Lens shop.
Gertie often ran in to see Lilly in
the afternoon, and marveled at the
careless way she accepted her respon-
sibilities. She never hesitated to leave
her work undone to go to a movie or
to the shops; she laughed and joked
with the young men of her acquaint-
ance in her old intimate way-just as
if she wasn't married, Gertie told her
mother.
said. I'm sorry for Len. I thought
Lilly might settle down, but I guess
it amt in her. Maybe if she has
children it'll sober her"
But with marriage Lilly deterior-
ated. Clothes, gay times with the
Eastside fast set Ooh, yes there is a
fast set" there just as there is one
on the Avenue's) more money to use
than she ever lad before-all these
things went to the undoing of the girl
whose nature craved pleasure above
everything.
Len O'Connor was quick tempered.
and they soon quarreled. Lilly accused
him of caring more for Gertie, and
what he SAID in retaliation confirmed
the suspicion So there grew up a
coldness between the two girls who
had always been friends, and Gertie
discontinued he visits, while Lilly
seldom even. visited the building in
which her mother and the Cummings
lived.
When spoken to about it she said:
Ma is always asking for money,
thinkin' I could help her. But I amt
got enough for myself. Clothes cost
somethin' awful, and I gotto look
stylish
Her own home she neglected, and
Len, disappointed in his desire for a
home, became sulky, refused to give
her as much money as he had at first
even tho she threatened to get it
somewhere if he shut down on her.
Before two months had passed Lilly
was going out with the crowd she now
cultivated. unH1indful of all wifely
future loomed darkly.
She was always selfish her
mother complained, but 1 thought
she would change when she got mar
ried. She has. for the worse. I'm
afraid for her if she goes on like she
is doln'. Len i'll be leaving If her If
she don't look out"
Never had the contrast in the two
girls, Gertie and Lilly. stood out so
plainly. Gertie, ambitious 10 improve
herself, kind and thoughtful of her
family-and Lilly, selfish, tn. liking OF
nothing or no one but herself Yet
they had started life evenly, in the
same environment
(Tomorrow-Gertie plans for her
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