The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-01
four DANCING FEET
A FIGHT AND AN ARREST.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 40.

Two young men waited for Gertie
Cummings that night. George Murphy
had thought a great deal about her,
not entirely because of her beauty and
grace, but because he believed her to
be a really good girl, in spite of her
surroundings. Like many people he
had held an idea that a girl doing her
work in her surroundings was not
girl a man would want to marry. But
he had changed his mind. Gertie had
been SO natural, so averSe to anything
that resembIed 1ooseness of any sort,
was so evidently a good daughter, that
he had determined to see more OF her,
Ego with her. as he expressed it in his
thoughts, and if she 'panned out why
enc never could tell. So he waited
for her, intending to insist upon taking
her all the way home.
In the shadow of the doorway Len
O'Connor also waited. Seeing Gertie
again, fascinated by her beauty ana
her new attire (for clothes hold
fascination for men as well as Women)
all his old desire for her awakened,
and with added strength. He had
been wild with jealousy when he saw
the friendly nod and smile she had
given Murphy, the good looking book
keeper, and the thought that in a fistic
encounter he could lick him had been
soothing to his pride.
Unconscious of the two waiting, of
the rivalry that existed, Gertie left the
cafe. In the door she hesitated mo-
ment, looking for Lilly. Then she saw
Murphy. Just as he stepped toward
her, Len O'Connor pushed him vio-
lentIy aside, saying;
keep out of my way you" Then
to Gertie "FH take you nome. Gertie.
He none too gently took hold of her
s'Do you want him to see you home,
Miss Cummings?" Murphy asked. He
had seen Gertie shrink away. Not that
E.nnf nFa
like the look on his face. She dreaded
a repetition of his proposal and her
mind was full of other things--Tom
Norris letter, his coming, the new
on the morrow so that she might look
nice for him.
"I-why, no, Len. I'd rather go
afone," she looked from one to the
II intended to take you home if you
would let me-" Murphy went on, de-
liberate1y ignoring O'Connor, so in
creasing his rage.
you let my girl alone!" Len again
took hold of Gertie, who this time
flung away from him, saying:
"Tm not your girl, Len, and you
you're hisn'n I SUPPOSED" It was
dCome, Gertie. I'll go to the sub
way with you-home If you win let
me-" Murphy was white with anger,
but he did not want any trouble with
the belligerent plumber
Before Gertie could answer O'Con-
nor's fist flew out, and the fight COM
menced. "I'lI learn you to git be-
tween me and my girl!'' he said as
one blow followed another. Murphy
warded them off as best he could and
occasionally got back at his opponent.
But he was no match for the husky
plumber, and after a particularly
vicious punch he lay spraWled on the
sidewalk just as an officer came up
and arrested them both for making
disturbance in the street.
HE was tryin' to steal my girl!
O'Connor grumbled, when the officer
asked what the rumpus was about.
5You come along, tool" he. said 10
Gertie, whom he had not noticed
standing in the shadow.
THE young lady had nothing to do
with it, Murphy interrupted, rising.
you tried to steal her. You thief!
O'Connor, wild with rage, broke in.
'4You can tell your story to them
that has a right to hear! I amt got
no time to be fooling. Come along
Miss"
Gertie, frightened, almost fainting
asked: ''WilI you let me send word
to my mother? She will be so fright
ened. I amt never been late before
getting home, and she will think
have been hurt"
officer?" Murphy asked. GO in and
see Fagin. He'll tell you she's all
right. I was going to take her to the
subway, when this man set up a howl
and commenced to fight. Tll--"
"Oh, please let me gov tears were
streaming down Gertie's cheeks Il
didn't have anything to do with 1t.
Ma will be SO worried"
Give me your name and where you
live The mention of her mother
may have softened the officers heart;
or it may have been her beauty-her
tears. s'If you're sent for you come
to court. Understand ?"
(Tomorrow-A welcome visitorO