The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-12
four DANCING FEET
GERTIEs NEW HOME.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter IS.


1t weuld be impossible to describe
Gertie's delight in the ranch, her
home. To her it was an enchanted
castle. Her pleasure in it, her eager
delight in everything he did, made
Tom very happy: For occasionally he
had wondered If this city girl, the
product of the crowded East Side,
would ever-be happy in SO isloated a
place as his beloved ranch. But now
he had no doubts. Together they ex-
ing the pony Tom had broken, and
which was very gentle. Learning to
ride had seemed very wonderful to
her, she had very occasionally seen
young ladies on the bride path in the
park but it never had occurred to her
that she ever would ride horseback.
She was learning to shoot, and to
play tennis. Tom had very fine courts
not far from the ranch house and they
practiced daily. He had been one of
the crack players when in college, and
had kept up his practice.
Then there was the house. She had
to get acquainted with every part of it.
At first Mrs. Black, the housekeeper,
had been a little inclined to resent
Gertie perhaps fearful of losing her
position, but when she saw how anxi-
Gus Gertie was to have everything re-
main as 1t had been, she could not do
enough to~show her appreciation of
her employers bride.
over in rose and gray, and altho Tim
had given her hint of what Tom
was doing for her. she never had ex-
pected anything SO exquisite as her
from their bedroom. There was moth
ing particularly expensive in the room
Toms good taste would not allow him
to spoil a ranch house with inappro-
pirate furnishings, but soft cretonnes,
rattan chairs with big cushions, a writ
ino M nil nj
woods, and books were everywhere.
1T will be my own fault if don't
learn things Gertie said to herself as
she saw the books. land I will If
don't understand Tom will help me-"
She was more than ever anxious to
learn; to be a companion for the edu
Gated man she had married; to have
him proud of her.
Thg Chink and she had been friends
from the start. And when, after a. bit,
Toms duties again claimed much of
his time he told the Chinese boy that
he should hold him responsible for
his mistress, that he must go with her.
take care of her just as he had Tim.
Gertie's letters home told of her life
on the ranch in such detail that Mrs.
Cummings said:
81 feel like I had been there. 4
think I could find my way around in
the dark" !
'I'n bet you couldn't.' Tim replied
disdainfully, why there's more
crooked places in the stairs and halls
than you ever saw. 1t amt like city
houses, one room right on top of an
other and stairs going straight up like
a painters ladder"
Tom had been as good as his word.
He had left a check for Mrs Cum
minss, a note with it. He said:
with love from your son, Tom
He knew her pride, and was sure
the only way to get her to accept
in
such a way she couldn't very well re-
fuse it. That he had understood her
was proved by her little note of
thanks, enclosed in a letter she had
written Gertie:
IT amt much good at writing, Tom,
but 1 thank you for the check. I am
very proud to have you for my son.
Mother.''
The last word had been erased, then
rewritten.
ma thought perhaps you'd think
her too forward,N then must have
changed her mind and known you
wouldn't think So" Gertie told Tom
as they read her mothers note.
Il have a great deal or respect as
we'll as fondness for your mother,
like her. there would be more girls
like you, girls that make real wives
DO satisfy you, Tom? Sometimes
1 am afratd--me-jus a dancing girl,
and now-al this-youi"
As always when she talked in this
strain, which was not often, because
of her remembrance of that talk with
her mother in which she promised not
to, he took her in his arms and with
loving words and kisses told her how
all the world.
(Tomorrow-Gertie takes kodak
pictures.)