The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-27
four DANCING FEET
GERTTE AND LILLY TALK
TOGETHER.
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER SO.

CHAPTER 81.
After Tom left, Gertie and her
mother had a long talk. Gertie told
her mother what Tom said about help
ing them, and her reply.
You done right, dearie. My girls
don't take no money they don't earn
from no man till they's- married-not
if I can help it. Now you're engaged
it's all right for him to give you some
little presents. but not money. We're
poor. but We've always been decent.
And. dearie, he'll like you all the bet
ter if you amt that kind--the kind
that takes money off men before
they're married.
Mother and daughter planned the
future, Mrs. Cummings occasionally
wiping her eyes as they talked.
you mustn't wait till Jennie gifts
thru. Gertie,' she said, 1T wouldn't be
fair to Tom to keep him waiting SO
long. Tim will be well when he comes
back and can sell papers, and I'll git
more fine laundry. When does Tom
want you to git married?"
I'VE haven't talked about that
only he said soon, that he didn't want
to walt very long" Gertie confessed
Hes right, Gertie. And it amt at
all necessary as I can see. He's lone
some on that ranch most likely"
Isn't it wonderful. Ma, that he
chose me, Just a cabaret dancer, when
he knows-other kinds of girls, girls
like that Miss Walton Lilly saw him
w!Ih?"
II don't believe she's any prettier
than you, and know she amt no bet
ter. You talk real nice now too since
you studied so much. I'm that proud
OF you, my girl. I'll miss you some
thin awful, but it's natural for you
to want TO git married. done it, was
real happy with your Pa, too. Won
der what kind of a house is on that
ranchl' inconsequently she added.
"A big rambling house, Tom told
me. He's going to send us picture
of 1t when he gets home"
II don't quite know what you mean
by 'ramblin', Gertie. do your"
mot exactly, Ma, but 1 think it is
sort of low and spread out, lots OF
rooms on the ground. instead of trying
to pile them on top of each other like
they do here in New York.
THAT would be fine. yet I can't
rightly see a house like that
you'll visit us some day then you'll
see" Gertie blushed again. She was
to be the mistress of that rambling
house, Toms wife.
Goodness gracious. child, go to bed
It's 1 o'clock, and me with Miss
brakes fine laundry to do tomorrow.
and you losin' your beauty sleep. 1
expect Lilly will be in right early in
up tonight to tell her sbout. it,.
Mrs. Cummings was right. Lilly
rose unusually early and as soon as her
breakfast was over came in to talk to
Gertie.
ma waited up to tell me the news"
she added. 81 never believed he meant
business, Gertfe. I thought he was just
tryin' to get around you because you
was pretty. Men is like that some
times" the worldly minded Lilly de-
clared, they is good, to the family be-
cause they think they can get around
the girl that way. But yen have to
go to the country to live and there
amt no man on earth I'd leave little
Did New York for. My, but you'll be
lonesome"
mo, Lilly, I shan't be lonesome. I'll |
miss Ma and the children, and you, |
over it, even the little I have seen, |
New York is nice too, but in q diff |
ferent way. The country makes you |
want TO be good. It's so clean
what a queer girl you are, Gertie, |
and you say such funny things. Phe
idea that the country makes you want |
to be good Amt it a scream that we |
both is engaged? Len is hurryin me |
somethin' awful He says he wants a |
home. He won't let me dance no more |
he's sort of jealous, and don't like |
The other fellows treatin' me, and JOSH !
n. have to give Rosenberg notice |
today. I'm goin' to leave at the end |
Of the week"
Are you going to be married then ?" ,
mol got to have clothes, amt L ? |
Len Is going to give me money for my |
what swells call it." |
Its nice you will be near your |
mother, Lilly. Ma feels bad to think |
am going so far away" Gertie tact |
fully said nothing concerning her feel |
ng that il was not right to accept |
money before marriage. 1t might |
ALLEVIATE Lilly and would do no good
she would not understand her, Gertie's
feeling.
CTomorrow-Gertie wears a diamond.) |