The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-14
FOUR DANCING FEET
LILLY SEES TOM AT THE
THEATER
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 81.


Chapter 81.
I've got somthing to tell you, Cert"
Lilly said in an aside after she had
introduced her companion as James
McGinnis- TN tell you after the boys
60"
Lilly did not notice that Gertie was
distract, so taken up was she with
McGinnis, a young man she had only
met that night, and whom to use her
own words, she was ''vamping because
he had money"
What is it you have to tell me.
Lilly Gertie asked in a tired voice as
they stood in the dark hallway after
bidding their escorts good night.
THAT fellow, Tom Norris, the one
who we thought was stuck on you so
long ago-he's here again."
Il know, I went riding with him
this afternoon
You did why didn't you tell me
he was in town? 1 always tell you
everything"
IL didn't know it till this morning,
Lilly. Then just a little after he came
and took me for ride
well I saw him tonight with the
SWEETEST girl! Gee! But she was a
peach all right. You see McGinnis
to burn, so Len told me when he in
troduced him to me. 1t wasn't two
minutes before he asked me to go to
a show, and If I couldn't stay all thru
me to Rosenburg's in time to dance.
Maybe I didn't jump at the chancei
We went to that new musical comedy
orchestra seats, mind you, and only
just two rows in front of us was that
Norris fellow in walters clothes, and
girl without much on but straps. and
a gorgeous blue coat to lean against.
Honest. Gertie, she didn't show hardly
anything but bare skin above the top
of the seat She was a swell locker
too, lovely blonde hair, done high up
on her head, and pearls and rings and
bracelets. Oh, gee! Why were we
born poori"
Gertie had scarcely heard a word of
all this. All she realized was that in
stead of coming to see her dance in
her pretty, new costume Tom had
taken some other girl-his own kind
evidently from Lilly's description, to
the theater.
He's got a right to take anyone he
wants to the theater." her pride came
to her rescue, altho she desperately
wanted to cry. He had said he was
first night he had taken another and
everyone said she looked so pretty in
her white dress with the nice shoes
and stockings.
"of course he has! I was only tell
ing you about the swell girl. I
have her stand up so could"
well good night, Lilly"
Good night! I guess I won't take
George Murphy away from you after
ALL Jim McGinnis has a lot more
money"
always thinkin' of the money.
aren't you, Lilly?"
Good night"
You look dreadful tired, dearie. Go
right to bed" Mrs. Cummings said
when Gertie kissed her. Hurry up
now, and I'll bring you bite on
tray
you're awful good to me- Ma
''Why shouldn't 1 be2 Amt you the
very child of your Pa, and amt you
good to us ALL" She hustled away
for the inevitable tea.
Gertie wiped a tear away as she un
dressed. Her feelings for Tom Norris
were complex. She tried to assure
herself he never could mean more
than q friend to her, that he only
cared to be with her because she was
pretty, and he was good natured. She
had no business to feel hurt that he
mad not come to see her dance; or that
he had taken some young lady to the
theated. But she did! 1t hurt awfully.
He promised to take me to ride
tomorrow if it didn't rain! Maybe
he'll tell me all about it, she said
to herself then sighed as she heard the
rain beat against the window pane
But because it had comm enced now it
might cIeur OH SnS WOulC De SldO
to see him at home, but that would
not be like being alone with him
When she said her prayers she asked
for a pleasant Sunday. But the morn
ing dawned gray and unpromising. BY
9 o'clock steady downpour promised
an unpleasant day.
Don't look so down in the dumps,
Gertie,'' Jennie said as she carried her
sisters breakfast to her. Toms COM
ing here. OF course it isn't so nice as
going out In the automobile, but it's
better than not seeing him at all. Lilly
says we ought to go out of the room
when you haveNa beau; that fellows
don't like to sit around with the
whole family"
Don't listen to Lilly's nonsense.
Tom comes to see us all, not just me.
He takes me riding because I am near
er his age. and we can talk about
things" she finished lamely. her pride
causing her to make some explanation
CTomorrow-Tim is to take a motor
ride.)