The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-08
FOUR DANCING FEET
A CHANCE TO DANCE AT THE
OLYMPIC.
BY JANE PHELPS


i
| A letter addressed to Gertie in the
morning mail almost created conster-
nation in the Cummings family. It
cafe asking her to call. 1t was neither
| a, large or a first-class place, but in
finitely above Rosenburg's in so far as
| its clientele was concerned-that is.
/ they dressed better; and spent more
money which is, after all, the criterion
| by which we judge such places.
1t was the first time in all her IT
years that q job had sought Gertie.
Always before it had been the other
way around 1t was no wonder her
folks were excited, and crowed about
her as she read the short request.
"Oh, Gertie!" Jennie said, rather
gasped, now you'll be leavin' Rosen
burg and dancing in that swell place"
Il don't know, Jennie, promised to
stay. Leastways L said 1 wouldn't go
anywhere till had told him and give
him a chance to pay me as much as
the other fellow would"
But it's d sweller place and
Don't say swell Jennie, and you
in high SCHOOL," Then: az amt,
haven't I mean, had any money Of
fered me, or he don't say he wants me-
Just asking me to call don't mean
neutrality-suspicious.
you're going?"
Eyes. I'll go right today. Then if
he. this Pagan" she looked at the sig
nature, '-offers me a job and moro
money I'll have talk with Rosen-
But if he won't let you go? If he.
gives you the same
''what'H I do then, Ma? Will I
have to stay? I told him L would, for
a little while, anyway"
Il amt no judge, Gertie, but if YOU
give your word you must keep it,
Find out what this man wants, then
we can talk it over before you say any
thing more to Rosenberg
In his garish office, Pagan, manager
for The Olympic Cafe" received
Gertie-. His sharp eyes appraised her
in such a manner as to make her
blush Was he like Jones?
ou're the girl 1 saw dancing at
Rosenburgs?" he asked after she HAD
told him she came in answer to his
note.
]. Yes, sir, dance there"
How old are you?"
Seventeen goin' on IS. I'll be Is
in two months''s
Don't hurry to git old. We like
EN- young here! Young and bright.
ana pretty. You sure are that last
Got any contract with Rosenburg?''
No, not a real one'' Gerty had
seen the crafty look in his eyes at her
denial.
What you mean-a real one
On. l amt, haven't, signed none;
but 1 told him I'd stay if he wanted
That don't count, He can throw
you out any minute he wants to.
Them Jews is wise guys" Even sim
pie Gertie thought perhaps the Irish
were gise guys too, judging by the one
before her.
Now I'll give you a contract for a
year with clause if you make good
Wen keep you on. How's that strike
you?''
II don't know! How much will you
give me ?" Gertie's experience with
Rosenburg, her talk with Jennies
teacher, had sharpeued her wits.
He named d price very little in ex-
cess of what Rosenberg had promised.
1 wouldn't leave where 1 am for
that!' she said rising.
Don't get your back up so easy. Set
down and talk things over I'll give
you SO a month more'n he paws youl
How'S that ?''
TIL have to talk to him and Ma"
Talk to him! Why?'
Il promised I wouldn't hire to any,
body else without tellin' him first"
That's nonsense, my grill" more
anxious as he saw her slipping from
his grasp. Pagan had wandered into
RoSenburg's one night and had deter
mined on getting Gertie from the mo-
ment she appeared on the floor. Then
look at the difference in the places,
1t makes girl to dance at the Olym-
pic
He took a paper from the desk
drawer and wrote rapidly for a few
minutes.
There. You sign right on that line
and everything will be all fixed
81 amt goin' to sign any paper to-
day, Mr.. Pagan. I'll talk to ma and
Mr.. Rosenberg and let you know"
This time Gertie hurried out not Civ
ing the man time to urge her further.
Had she tried to be clever she could
not more successfully have accom-
plished her purpose.
independent mink! We've got to
have her" Pagan said to himself
Her kind always makes good"
(Tomorrow-Gertie value increases)