The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-27
-FOUR DANCING FEET
A DAY BADLY BEGUN ENDS
HAPPILY
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter SO

A DAY BADLY BEGUN ENDS
HAPPILY
Chapter Sc.
Now. Ma, I'll read his better"
Gertie said when, dressed. she went
into the kitchen. She read:
My dear Gertie:
I was pleased to get your note, and
very sorry you did not get my first let
ter. I rather thought you had forgot
ten me, or had been too busy to write.
It's fine that you are studying so hard.
1t will surely repay you've get a
great deal of pleasure out of knowing
things. I'm not much of hand at
letter writing, but shall see you soon,
so you'll excuse me, won't you? In
about a month I have to be in New
York on business and shall look you
up as soon as-I arrive. I hope the
weather will be fine so we can take
those drives all over again-weH go
anyway. even If it rains.
Remember me to your mother and
the others.
Sincerely your friend.
TOM NORRIS
That's a real nice letter" Mrs.
Cummings remarked, real nice, and
not a bit stuck up
There's nothing stuck up about
Tom. I guess real nice folks don't
get stuck up even when they are rich
and educated"
But even her happiness over her
letter, even the thought that Tom was
coming, that she was to see him again,
could not make Gertie forget what
might be in store for them And now
was the added thought that Tom
might not see them in a better place.
a. place where she would be proud to
have him see them.
A keen twinge of disappointment
ran thru her. Almost unconsciously
she had cherised the thought that
Tom would sometime come again and
find them living a bit differentiated
ter. How proud she would have been
to show him the flat, to let him see
they liked to live well, that only ex-
IRENE poverty had prevented. Girl
like came another thought:
eff had kept my job I could have
new dress and hat when he came.
I could perhaps have a cape too. so
when we went into the country I
wrapped her in his coat, telling her
she should always carry a warm wrap
when she motored,
Why. would such thoughts come to
worry her?
Mrs. Cummings fluttered anxiously
over her. fearing she were ill.
Let lingo and tell them you can't
dance tonight, dearie. You look down
sick"
Eyes, let mel" Tim spoke eagerly,
anxious to see the place where ,Gertie
danced.
mo, I'm mot ssck-just tired.
must go. I might lose my job If
didn't" Gertie replied, thinking it
already lost.
Come right home. I'll sit up for
you and make you cup of tea," Mrs.
said. Tea with her was a
panacea for most ills.
"AlI right. ma
Gertie went directly to F'agins
office. All the way to the cafe she
had gone over and over what had hap
pened, had tried to think what she
should say to Fagin. But what was
the use until she knew what he was
going to say to her? She could
formulate no mode of action in ad-
vance
She was very pale when she stepped
into his office. Still in her street dress
and little sailor hat, she looked very
young, very childish, as she waited for
him to speak.
You know we can't have any rows
here, don't you? The police watch us
like cats. They are sure to say we are
breaking some law If there's any
trouble. Why did you let those two
get to fighting over you?" Fagin
spoke brusquely.
Suddenly the scene of the night be-
fore visualized itself in her mind;
what the man who had insuIted her
had said and without pausing she re-
piled:
81 couldn't help what they did, Mr.
Z dSlIls DQI L Wait 10 lldnh YOU LOT
saying I was good. That man said
you told him 1 was-and I am. Mr..
Fagin! And I am going to keep good.
I've got top the passion in her voice
startled him. He was taken aback by
her thanks, by her outburst-so I'M
to him
"Um-so he said you wasn't good
lid hep
'Yes-and other awful things
made fun of nae-said I belonged to
hat other. Then he hit him, and them.
hat man raised the chair and |
screamed. But I thank you for tell |
ng him was good-even if he didn't |
believe it."
well. hurry and get dressed. It's |
getting late. And don't have any more |
-ows-rem EN- ber-no more trouble in |
ny place" Fagin spoke sternly, but |
here was a good natured twinkle in |
lis eye. Gertie by her innocent thanks |
or his good opinion of her had won
mother chance.
(To be continued)