The Topeka state journal., 1922-05-26
four DANCING FEET
AN AGONIZING NIGHT.
CHAPTER 35.
BY JANE PHELPS

CHAPTER 35.
Fortunately Mrs. Cummings was not
sitting up for Gertie. The girl gave
a sigh of relief as she crept quietly
into her room: 1t was hard to hide
anything from her mother, she seemed
to know intuitively when anything
was wrong.
The new wall paper Knocked her as
she undressed. The little sprigs of
pink flowers seemed to say: I've
won't be yours much longer. Some
one else will have this pretty room
that cost you SO much" She saw the
new dress she had given Jennie neatly
laid on a chair, and that also gave
hec a twinge. Where would she get
money to keep Jennie nicely clothed
so she could finish school? It had
already become a certainty in her
mind that If she were discharged by
Fagin, no one else would take her.
They would think her a trouble
She crept into bed beside Jennie.
but not to sleep. She lashed herself
numerically because she had gone to
Murphy'S table. AS long as she kept
to herself things went along all right.
She wasn't the kind of girl who
could have men friends. Now there
was Lilly-she kept friendly with
lot of fellows, kept them all good
natured, too. Why couldn't she?
She wondered idly if Lilly were
right-if because she was with him.
Murphy should help her if she lost
her job?
too" she said to herself. And I can't
manage them when they get that way
like Lilly does"
She couldn't take this trouble to the
teacher. Advice would not help her.
1t had been q fight, a row, because of
her. She blushed in the dark as she
thought how she had lost her temper,
and talked just as she would have
talked before she knew Tom Norris.
before she tried to make a lady of
herself. Perhaps If she had quietly
left the table at once there would
have been no fight.
Toward morning she fell into an
uneasy sleep. 1t was later than usual
when she awakened, and for a mo-
ment she couldn't think why she felt
so tired, so depressed. Then it all
flashed over her.
whats the use trying to be any
body?' she said as she turned unhap-
pily on her pillow. Poor girls like
me haven't any business thinking they
can amount to anything!-poor ma"
she finished as she heard her mother
bustIing about making everything neat
and nice.
Awake, Gertie?" Mrs. Cummings
looked in the door.
Yes. I'll be out in a minute. It's
awful late, isn't it?'
"Yes, but I couldn't bear to wake
you up. What time did you come
Same old time, Came right home
with Lilly. She was outside waiting
for me-
You don't look very good this
morning, dearie. I'll bring your break
fest to you. You stay right in bed"
Gladly Gertie acqu:esced. She was
tired. heart-sicl1.
There! Amt that nice? Mrs. Cum
mings said when a few moments later
H. g.
The tray was battered, b1t the cloth
was spct!essly clean, and the coffee
and toast, the egg perfection.
How good you are to me. Ma"
"vShy shouldn't be. dearie? Amt
you my big baby? And amt you good
and then take your time getting
dressed. Til heat the water so you
can have a bath.
To her surprise Gertie was able to /
eat. This rite over her spirits rose a |
little. It is hard to be depressed on a |
full stomach.
Maybe he won't send me away
she said as she bathed. I'll be care |
full what I say to him, and
Here's a letter for you, Gertie,' her |
mother interrupted her thoughts, The
postman Just brought it. It's from |
Tom, I guess Mrs. Cummings waited
to hear what he had to say. /
Gertie's eyes were shining as she
opened Ln6 letter. II was not
much longer than the last one. but as
she read, her breath came quickly. and
L little grasp of delight broke from
her.
What is it. dearie?''
Hes coming. MAJ He's comingi"
and she fairly danced in her excite
nent. He'll be here in just a month"
Suddenly she sobbed. I'll read it to
you," she said quietly. Perhaps when
he came they would be back in the
no IN r11 -Iao
had hoped that sometime he would
gee it.
Never mind now-the stew will
burn. You can read it to me by and
by. 1t will be nice to have him come /
again. Won't he be surprised when |
he sees US all fixed up like we are in
this nice f1ati"
'-If he ever sees it-sees US in it, 1
Gertie said to herself as her mother
flew to attend the stew.
Tomorrow day badly begun ends I
happily.)