The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-15
four DANCING FEET
TIM is TO TAKE A MOTOR RIDE
Chapter So
BY JANE PHELPS

TIM is TO TAKE A MOTOR RIDE
Chapter So.
All day it ralned, a steady down
pour. About 4 o'clock Tom Norris
came. A few moments after he ar
rived, the doctor came in to see how
his little patient was getting along.
Tom asked if he might take Tim mo-
toring. and the doctor replied:
Take him whenever you can! Itll
be a real kindness, do you good, Ell,
Tim?'
you bet!'
BE careful getting him down tire
xtdi1a, ARD have him perfectly COM
Portable, before you start, and It will
be all right" y
Mrs. Cummings had made little
gingerbread cakes, and served them
with tea. Even the doctor had been
prevailed upon to remain and partake
of the simple hospitality, but whether
it was a desire for the cakes, or Curl
osity concerning Tom Norris, that kept
him it would be hard to say. He ate
the cakes with relish; and he watched
Tom keenly from under his shaggy
brows. He scarcely knew what TO
make of an intimacy between this
young man and the Cummings family.
Tom left soon after the doctor did.
He had a dinner engagement at the
Waltons, and must go to the club to
dress. Those dress clothes-Lilly
called them walters clothes''-he was
going TO put them on to go to dinner
with his own kind. He would never
think of putting them on if he had
dinner in their flat.
What a fool I ami" Gertie said to
herself, he'd look nice coming here
with all that rigging on. OF course
ne has to dress up when he goes with
that friend of his, that Mr.. Walton.
Oh, dear! I wish Lilly hadn't told me
about seeing him
stop thinking and talk to me.
Gert!" Tins voice brike in upon her
thoughts. did you hear him say he
was coming for me in the morning?
Nine o'clock! Gee, but amt he the
real cheese all right? hope he keeps
me out all day"
He won't, dear. so don't set your
heart on it. He'll probably give you
just short ride at first, to see how
you stand it."
Stand it! If it hurt like blazes I
wouldn't say anything! I amt never
on trucks; and since ma made me
promise not to do that no more amt
had any rides at ALL"
ct hope it will be pleasant, deRrie"
Olympic, her heart heavy, all the
brightness she had felt over Toms
coming gone.
The next day dawned bright and
lovely, and at o'clock Tom came to
take Tim for ride. Ordinarily Gertie
never thought of getting up; her
mother made a strict rule that she
should stay in bed until noon because
of her late hours at the cafe. But
this morning she had broken the rule,
and no one seemed to think 1t strange.
= In the excitement of getting Tim off
she only spoke once to Tom. She had
kissed Tim, laughing with him over
something he whispered in her ear,
then turned and said to Tom:
Thank you for being so good to
Tim
'It is a pleasure" he had returned
as he picked Tim up in his strong
arms and carried him down the stairs
and then placed him comfortably in
the machine; the family all watching
from the window, Gertie a little be-
hind the others.
He raised his hat, and Tim waved
an arm. his face one great expansive
smile. as they drove off.
BLESS the lad" Mrs. Cummings
said wiping her eyes. No one asked
who she meant, whether Tom or her
little tim. She invariably wept a lit
tie when anything stirred her emo
tons, whether joyfully or sadly.
Come, Ma! I'm all dressed, let's
go shopping. The work can wait. I'll
get hat, and perhaps a dress"
Gertie had suddenly thought of the
young woman Lilly had so graphical
ly described after she had seen Tom
with her at the theater. Tom perhaps
cared more how girl looked than
she had thought. OF course she never
could have anything like that girl, but
If she had a pretty new hat. and either
a dress or q cloak, he might think she
looked nice. Her face grew wistful at
the thought.
She and her mother shopped for an
hour. and found the hat and cloak.
They were just going into the house
Gertie had worn them home-when
Tom drove up to the curb with
flourish, and Tim called Joyously to
them.
How nice you look this morning,
Gerties" Tom said as they all stood by
the car. THAT is a very becoming
hat"
Shed have had it long ago, If all
her money hadn't gone for my busted
legi" Tim piped up, before either
Gertie or her mother could stop him
Then he told how she had planned to
have a hat and cloak, and how she
had given il all 70 help him IT got a
hat and a cloak In my leg" he fin
ished.
mo, dear. 1 have it on. Please don't
pay any attention to his nonsense
Gertie said as Tom carried the boy up
the stairs
(Tomorrow-Liiiy reads Town
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