The Topeka state journal., 1922-05-11
four DANCING FEET
GERTIE TRIES TO IMPROVE
HERSELF.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter %

hEkA0EllE.
Chapter %.
Gertie studied reiigiously in her
spare time. yet she studied without en-
thusiasm. She would learn, try to
make something of herself for her own
sake, but all the, spice was gone from
her efforts When Tom first left and
she did things to please him. because
he had asked her to, everything was
easy, delightful. But now she had al
most come to believe what Lilly SO
often had told her-that young man
like Tom Norris didn't mean anything
when they showed a cabaret girl a
little attention. Yet back in her mind
was the hope that he had not forgot
ten her; that he had written, and the
letter had been lost. Her mother had
only too willingly comforted herself
by believing it might be So
why don't you write to him?" Lilly
had asked.
"I don't know where to write or
would, perhaps
Don't that prove I'm right! He
didn't even tell you where he lived,
afraid you'd be worrying him with let
ters."
He's on ranch! He told me that"
But where's the ranch? I'll tell
the world you're silly to keep frettin'
over a fellow that don't care nothin'
for you when you can have the pick
at Rosenburg's."
81 don't want them! 1 don't want
that kind.' Gerties outburst left Lilly
gaping. ct hate their fresh ways; the
way they talk, trying to kiss you, and
all that! I hate it! I tell you, Lilly,
nice men-men like Tom-don't do
them things. They let's girl alone.
things, books, trees and things like
that. I rather never have a beau than
have one of the kind what go to
Rosenburgh's.
I. 7
asked drily.
Yes, just to see the kind of place
it was the first time.
ITO see you after that Lilly inter
rupted.
ferent! Why he never even touched
me only to help me in and out of the
car, or when. we went walking in the
country to help me over bad places.
tell you, Lilly, the kind we know.
think they. can say things to US and
paw US. Ugh! 1t makes me shiver
when they put their hands on me-
That's because YOU don't look at it
right, Gertie. Get all you can while
but once, and we poor girls amt much
chanct after we gifts old
mo. Lilly, I don't want them fellows
giving me things. 1 don't care how
hard 1 work but I am going to keep
decent I'd just hate to look at ma
and the rest if I was to bleed some-
one all the time"
''Well, I'd rather work the other fell
low than work so hard myself" Them
Say, Gertie, what you going to do
about going to the Olympic?"
Il am going, Lilly. Even if Rosen-
burg paid me more I'd go. I want to
get in a better place. The other day
when Mr.. Pagan sent for me again
asked him about you, Lilly. He said
he couldn't take you just now. but
perhaps later I'm awfully sorry, Lii
ly. I done my best"
Lilly was terribly disappointed, but
all she said was:
"I know you done all you could,
Critic Such girls learn to hide any
deep feeling, to laugh away hurts and
disappointme
Mrs. Cummings was rather glad tho
two were to be separated while at
their work. She hated Lilly's free and
easy ways, while giving the girl credit
for being good. But it had seemed
of late she was influencing Gertle
more than formerly. This was not
so, but Gertie had changed; her dis
appointment because Tom Norris had
not written, her constant thought of
him had made her nervous, her tenn
per was a bit uncertain for the first
laughed and talked loudly, assuming
a gayety that puzzled her mother, who
sensed it did not ring true.
Then Len O'Connor had taken her
nome several I1InSS- NOC InaL MIS-.
Cummings knew anything against
Len, but whenever any of the patrons
of the restaurant brought Gertie
home, she worried.
you're my girl O'Connor better
keep out of the way" Jones had said,
and to show the manager she wanted
nothing of him. Gertie had let O'Con-
nor take her home, and had stood
the sidewalk and chatted with him
before she went in.
What you so stand-offish with a
fellow for, Gertie ," Len asked. He
had tried to show his affection in his
easy going way, and Gertie had de-
cidedly repulsed him.
II don't want no nonsense, Len. ]
have to dance to earn money, but 1
don't have to let no fellow say or do
nothing 1 don't like. And I don't like
anything fresh Real nice girls and
fellows are just good friends without
any foolishness. I talked to Jennie's
teacher, and she told me no fellow
that really likes a girl and wants to.
be friends will get fresh. If you do
-why-you can't be with me. I'm
going to be the right kind of a girl,
Len, even If 1 am poor"
Open-mouthed Len gaped at her.
A carbaret girl preaching, But he
finally said:
''Al1 right, Gertie. have it your own
way, for while
(Tomorrow-CSerti dances at the
Olympicl