The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-04
FOUR DANCING FEET
GERT7E TELLS FAGIN.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter sc.

Gertie told her mother that George
had brought her home. and that she
had mentioned her coming marriage.
What did he say?" Mrs. Cummings
asked. AS Gertie said, she liked the
young bookkeeper, at one time had
hoped Gertie would marry him.
: He said he hoped I would be very
happy-was real nice after told him
about Tom. He was afraid before
that
Afraid of what?"
Afraid Tom was@fooling me, that
he was like lots of men who amused
themselves with a girl. not meaning
anything but having a good time"
81 was afraid of that too" Mrs.
Cummings confessed, until 1 got to
know Tom real well. There's lots of
that goin' on with pretty girls who
are poor. Men who think nothin' OF
spoilin' a girls life just so they has u
good time. I worried myself often
who was like that"
mo need to worry any more, Ma.
Tom is different from that kind; diff
ferent in every way"
But neither Gertie or her mother
gave Murphy much thought just then,
they were too busy with their sewing,
the getting together of the simple
trousseau. This taxed both their in
genuity and their resources.
Tim wrote weekly letters that were
his mothers delight. He told SO much
of the life on the ranch that Jennie
said she could shut her eyes and see it
all. Time rushed by, and finally
Gertie decided she'd better tell Fagin
she would leave the Olympic in an
other month.
''I hate to tell him." she said to her
mother. He has been So nice to me-
Il guess you has earned all he gave
you,' Mrs. Cummings replied, mot
that say he amt been good to you
too"
When Gertie told Fagin she was
going to leave him, he, without wait
ing for her to tell him why, became
very much excited.
what have they offered you to leave
me?" he demanded, his face purple
Whatever it is I'll meet it'll You can't
leaye me-haven't I done all I could
for you? Haven't I?''
Eyes, Mr.. Fagin, you've always been
kind, and
"Then why talk of leaving me? I
pay all you are worth, but I'll have
to meet the other fellow, I suppose.
There's no such thing as gratitude in
minute someone offers another penny.
How much have you been offered to
quit me?"
"It isn't that, Mr.. Fagin." Gertie
wanted to laugh, yet she felt embar-
raised to tell this excited man her
precious secret. He had walked back
and forth, while he talked, swinging
his arms, gesticulating, not giving her
a chance to interrupt, and looking so
funny with his purple face, and angry
frowp.
What is it then? Promised better
position, in a sweller place? Now,
Miss Gertie,'' he commenced to plead,
sure he had at last found her reason
for leaving him, a better, more fash
ionable place to dance, on, Broadway
perhaps; she was good enough even
for that, or 1t might be one of the
smart new East side clubs. But he
couldn't lose her, she was a drawing
card, had made him money ever since
she came to him, and was growing
better all the time, also more popular
with his public.
"Pll tell you all about it, Mr.. Fa-
gin,'' Gertie finally said, but he took
the natural hesitation in her voice
caused by her embarrassment at tell
ing him of her marriage to be hesita-
ton because of wishing to leave him.
"Just tell me what you want to stay
with me. and I guess we can fix 1T up.
Come now, Miss Gertie, don't be I'M
reasonable, I'll do anything can af-
ford to do to keep you"
"Oh, Mr.. Fagin! Won't you let me
explain? I'm going to be married, go
out west to live: I'm not going to
dance any more"
"wel1 I'll be-jiggered! Here I been
sweating blood because I thought you
was leaving me for one of them swell
joints on Broadway. and it's marrying
it is! And when are you planning to
step off may ask?'
'tIn a little over a month"
you'll dance till them"
"Yes-I must. need my salary"
ST shall be awful sorry to lose yous
Miss Gertie,' Fagin was lamblike now,
but seeing It's to get married you're
leaving me for, all can say is I hope
you will be happy, and if you amt
yod will always find a place waiting
for you at the Olympic"
(Tomorrow-Jennie tutors a back