The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-12
FOUR DANCING FEET
GERTIE Ar THE OLYMPIC.
BY JANE PHELPS
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Chapter %.
Could Gertie have known that Tom
Norris on his far off ranch thought of
her almost as constantly as she did OF
him she might have been comforted.
Or had Tom been a different sort she
would perhaps not thought so much
of him. But he had treated her like
a lady; he had talked to her as no
one ever had before, of books, nature,
and other things of interest. What if
she didn't understand all he said, 1t
was wonderful to be made such
companion of; wonderful to be helped
in and out of the car, to be quietly
held by the elbow when crossing
log that day when they walked in the
woods near the little road house.
Perhaps it was these little attentions
that had intrigued Gertie most-atten-
tions so unusual she scarcely knew
they existed But now she compared
every man he met with Norris and
naturally to their. disadvantage.
She had left Rosenhurg'S and was
dancing nightly at The Olympic"
Just at the last something Lilly said
made her almost sorry she had prom
ised to go.
II suppose if that Tom of yours ever
comes to New York again he'll look
for you in Rosenburg'
But you'd see him and tell him,
Lflly!" Gertie replied so eagerly Lilly
laughed, and accused her of being
"softy."
"Couse I would, sillyi'
Gertie found little difference in her
work in the two places. But from the
beginning she had made the manage
ment understand she was there to
dance, not to entertain their patrons
by sitting at the tables with them.
Jennie's teacher had advised her TO do
this
.''They hire you to dance" she had
told Gertie. TRY and keep to your
dancing"
So Gertie, who naturally had hated
that part of her work at Rosenburg'S
told Pagan:
I'm not going to sit around any
tables with the fellows that ask me-"
"Oh. you're not! Who's boss here
I'd like to known"
'I'H dance my very best for you,
Mr.. Pagan. But 1 won't do that any
more for anybody"
Pagan stormed a little, but really he
was not Nso angry as he pretended.
When Gertie had left he chuckled:
Little Miss independence! ItH
make them all the more anxious to
see her dance if she won't mix with
them" Showing he knew human ma
ture.
Lilly and Gertie still continued to
leave the house together, still told
each other all that happened, and oc-
casionally met after they had finished
dancing to go home together-but
ments, and not of the sort Gertie
cared for. Len O'Connor had trans
ferred his patronage to Edgan's and
Gertie saw him almost nightly. Some
times she let him take her home. II
was lonely going alone, and Len was
more decent than the fellows Lilly
went with. A girl had to have some
one to talk to.
Mrs. Cummings had been told about
Len. and had wondered if a plum Der
1Trae emf as n Hnnld
for a husband.
Tho God knows I don't know what
we'd do if you got married" she said
when discussing Len. Not till Jen-
ME gifts to teachin' anyway
Il amt going to marry anybody,
ma! 50 don't you fret"
81 hopes you'll find a good man To
take care of you, dearie. some day. 1t
is hard for women to git on alone.
Washin' and such like work. You
can't dance when you git old, you
know. Your pa was a good man, and
if he had lived you wouldn't have had
to leave school to work. He was great
on havin' his children educated, was
your pa"
Every moment Gertie could spare
from needed sleep and helping her
mother was given to study
ct will learn I will" she would
declare when things seemed beyond
her comprehension. And altho full or
pride in many ways, she never let it
stand in the way of learning. Jennie,
even Tim were consulted. their ex
plantations thankfully received.
1t was remarkable how this poor
girl with so little to encourage her
persisted in her desire to learn, to
make something of herself The nat
uraI longing for companionship, ev-
cry young girl has, gradually was par
tally satisfied by her increasing in
terest in her books. Now she did not
work entirely because Tom Norris
wanted her to-but for the works
own sake, because she was interested.
That everything she studied was
simply told, that Tom Norris had
studied her needs and capabilities In
his choice of books. was fortunate.
And altho she feared he had forgot
ten her. she never failed to say Il
prayer for him before she slept. AL
ways she added:
please God, let me see him again,
time time"
CTomorrow-Gertie evades O'Connor.)