The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-25
FOUR DANCING FEET
TOM is STILL INTERESTED
BY JANE PHELPS


Chapter 8.
Gertie and Lilly were dancing. The
place was crowded. and filled with
smoke. CheapIy, gaudily dressed wom-
en- IolIed in their chairs beside cheap.
loudly dressed men, both smoking
cheap cigarettes
Gertie's eyes roved about the place
as her feet twinkled lightly to the
music played by a negro orchestra of
four pieces. A look of disappointment
crossed her face. In spite of what she
had told Lilly, she had treasured a
hope he would come.
It was after IL. their, time would
soon be up. Usually she was glad to
go home, but tonight she wished they
were to stay longer. Perhaps he had
been to the theater with that swell
friend of his and would come in later.
Her eyes on the entrance, she saw
him the moment he came in. Her
cheeks burned, her eyes shone. He
had come after all! Oh. the glory of it.
There's your Toni" Lilly whis-
pered.
Your Toni" again Was he her
Tom? How could he be? An edu-
Gated man rich enough to dress well,
have car, and buy a girl such a din
ner. But even the thought could not
stifle the song of joy that flooded her
entire being She danced as she never
danced before-slle danced for him.
THAT Cummings girls is gettin' on
fast! Well have to look out/or wen
lose her. the burly proprietor, watch
ing her said to his assistant. Them
Broadway guys will be after her. 1
guess I'll give her a raise and tie her
up tight. I won't have to raise her
much. She don't know how good she
is. And 1 amt tellin' her"
She is great tonight! Pretty as
peach too. A stand-offish little
piece!"
You let her alone. JonesI She
might git her back up and quit
81 amt botherin' her none" Jones
Gertie floating toward them. '"That |
other one, her chum, she's a good one
too. They is thick as thieves. and !
guess if we tie up one we'll have to |
girl wouldn't sign unless the Arnold !
girl did. They live in the same house. |
and come here together. 1 know be- /
cause I got the address,
We'll. Arnold isn't half bad. She
amt as good as the Cummings girl is, |
but she's better than the average.
Wen sign them both. A year. You
git the papers ready. make 'em tight. |
That girls a comer-oni" His eyes
once more turned toward Gertie.
Tom had caught Gertie's eye, and as
she passed his table, he motioned to
the empty seat beside him. She
nodded showing she understood. The
dance finished, she resumed her street
clothes, very plain and shabby, yet
somehow giving her certain distinc-
shyly slipped into the seat beside him.
Lilly had Joined a gay crowd at the
further side of the room.
Il didn't think you was coming"
1aively Gertie said after he had or
tered a lemonade for her. 1t was
weak, made of extract, nothing real
was served in that place. But 1t
night have been aI--bfosia, so delicious
lid it seem to Gertie-because he had
ordered it for her.
do you smoker" he offered a
handsome cigaret case. open.
mo, most the girls do, but ma don't
ike me to smoke. L promised her !
Touldn'tt'' /,
81 think shall like that mother of !
ours. should like to know her.
day 90
why. yes" Then overcoming her
caused by the thought
Il the cheap. crowded tenement.
fertile remembered her manners and
aid quietly:
Ma would like to know YOU too.
The always wanted~to know rho go
With" She blushed crimson. What
lad she said? That expression "go =
With" the girls, Lily, only used when I
peaking of their beaus.
Il shall come in Sunday afternoon 4
may? And then, if it is pleasan mt ]
re will take another ride out into the l
y 2
Gertie could scarcely contain herself,
he was so delighted. She was to see !
i'm again, have a lovely long ride in '
ne country just like the other one! 5
What joy! But he was speaking again: t
Perhaps you don't like the coun- II
p" she had not noticed the note of +
nxiety in his voice.
"Oh. I love it! 1 ain't-haven't, Y
int had been one of the words she I
ad tried to break herself of using. '
ennie had told her the teacher in 7
er school wouldn't let any of the c
;holars use it, Never seen the coun- S
y much. When was real little I Z
ent once for two weeks. The Fresh L
ir people sent me-
You poor kid!' Tom Norris said
nder his breath. He thought of his =
g ranch, how he loved it, loved the
pen. and this girl, sweet, pretty, and G
would swear it-had II
zen it only as the ward of some II
resh Air Fund. HI
Then the country 1t is! I see your II
lend, Lilly, beckoning you. 1 have III
y car outside, I'll take you both II
pine if you will let me- HI
Let hini But how nice of him to II
TX, just as If she was a real swell. II
lie thought, as they walked out, fol- Il
wed by Lilly. III
(Tomorrow-Tom meets Gertie's II
- I 1