The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-10
four DANCING FEET
TOM DRAWS GERTTE OUT
BY JANE PHELPS

Chapter 4S.
I'VE won't try to talk until we get
out of this traffic" Tom said as they
started off. IT feel like a beginner
when first drive a car in New York
One has to be so careful. Out home
one can drive for miles without stop
ping-sometimes without meeting
anyone"
you drive wonderfully" Gertie re-
piled, then did not speak again but,
while Tom watched the traffic, she
watched him.
He looks a little older, she thought.
ana he's handsomer than he was
there's a look in his face he didn't
have. She tried to analyze II, but
or perhaps he would tell her things
that had happened and she would
know from that.
They were going down on Long
lunched on their first ride together.
Tom had proposed it and Gertie con-
scented gleefully.
After they crossed the seth street
connectedly. until they got further
away. but aside from answering his
questions, Gertie said nothing.
There now! We can talk comfort
ably" he remarked slowing the car.
Now, tell me all about yourself.
Gertie. What have you been doing all
this timer"
Gertie told him of leaving Rosen-
I DuTR, OF heT refusal 70 SIKH CON-
tract. and of how she had bettered
herself She told him of her new
dance and what a hit it had made;
| that she was practicing a new dance
the butterfly dance. He interrupted
her:
wen go to the theater, Gertie.
| There's a musical comedy on in which
two professional dancers take part. 1t
may give you ideas"
THAT will be Iovely!" she ex-
claimed, then her face dropped. How
| could she go to the theater in her old
clothes?-go with him?
go on tell me more of yourself"
She told of her reading, her at
tempts at improving herself, urged on
by his interest and an occasional ques-
ton.
IL couldn't seem to remember. But
| it's easier now, and 1 don't have so
much trouble finding the meanings
of words, and using them right"
You have improved wonderfully,
| Gertie. You express yourself SO much
better. Not that you ever lacked
but we can all improve ourselves IL
we try. Now tell me about your beaux
don't blush, know girl as pretty
as you are must be popular"
Suddenly the day seemed dull and
dreary He had asked her about her
| beaux in a careless way. OF course It
was nothing to him-how many she
had, or if she were fond of any OF
them. Her pride came to rescue.
Il don't have much time for beaux.
I'm too busy!"
"Tn bet you have all the opportun-
| ity-if you don't have the time Don't
the fellows who come into the cafe try
to get acquainted with your"
| "Oh, sometimes" she shrugged, but
it don't-doesn't do them any good.
1 told Fagin. the boss. that would not
| stay. if I had to be bothered with
| them9'
He keeps you just the same"
Yes, 1 make money for him. He
said So"
Was she mistaken or did Tom look
at her shabby dress? At the thought
she blushed and looked uncomfortable.
/ Then hurriedly she went on talking
not about herself. but about Jennie,
i and Tim. She told how well Jennie
was doing in school, of how Tins ac-
cident happened.
little chap she said warming to her
| subject. It's awfully hard for boy
so active to lie still, and he frets be-
cause he isn't helping mother. He was
like that when he was tiny. He wanted
to do things to help"
Hell soon be out broken leg
! isn't anything if it is handled right.
I broke mine twice when I was kid.
| 1 hope you had a good surgeon"
Indeed we did, and he says Tim
won't even limp"
That's great must help you take
care of him. I'll have a talk with the
doctor, and if he doesn't object Tim
and will have some good times. He's
so bright 1 enjoy hearing him talk
Once more Gertie saw the sun was
| shining. Surely he must like them all,
herself included, to be so kind to a
boy like Tim.
! (To be continued.)