The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-02
four DANCING FEET
BY JANE PHELPS
A WELCOME VISITOR.
Chapter Al.

] almost arrested GertIe Said TO
| herself as she hurried to the subway,
feeling sorry for Murphy, but far sor-
rier for herself. Why had she wait
! ed? Why hadn't she gone right away
| when they commenced to fight? Her
| name might be in the papers, and
| might lose her her job. He was afraid
| of trouble-hated it.
| Her mother comforted her as best
| she could, but like all people of her
| class she had fear and dread of an
| officer of the law. Neither of them
| thought of going to bed, but discussed
| the happening from every angle, get
ting nowhere
ringing of the bell THE police
man. Gertie gasped, che asked for
my address-my name. Oh, what
shall do?"
You amt done nothin' wrong.
they can't do anythin' to you-and
we've got to let 'em ini' Mrs. Cum
mings rose and tremblingly pushed
the button that opened the street
door, then stood waiting. while Gertie
buried her head in her arms, sobbing
convulsively.
s'Please excuse me for coming"
Murphy stood in the doorway, hat in
hand, but I thought you would like
to know, even if it was Iate-or rather
early" 1t was almost morning.
Gertie ceased sobbing.
Il am George Murphy, you are
Gertie's mother I expect. May 1
come imp"
yes, come. in. Gertie has told me
about you. She always tells me about
all her young men" Murphy WINGED
what happened, George? How did
they come to let you go?" Gertie
asked, lifting her head, showing her
tear-stained face.
why I told the sergeant just how
it happened, that I never saw that fell
low O'Connor. that I had no fight
with him. and that you hadn't even
spoken to either of US, and he let nee
go-OConnor too. I begged Off for
him-because-well I was afraid il
might get in the papers, your name
and-be bad for you
"Oh, it would! 1 can't thank you,
George!" Gertie exclaimed. her face
alight. "Fagin hates anything to do
with the police, and it might have lost
me my job, and then" Why was
she always on the verge of mentioning
Tom Norris's name? She had caught
herself just in time.
"Set down, Mr.. Murphy, I'll make a
cup of tea. I think it will do US all
good. and it's most breakfast time
anyway. You just talk TO Gertie, and
I'll have it ready in a jiffy-''
Thank, you, Mrs. Cummings. 1t
would taste good"
Murphy detested tea, he would have
liked a cup of coffee, but was too po-
lite to say so, and he would swallow
the tea for the sake of a few minutes
talk with Gertie.
81 am so glad. George, so grateful"
Gertie said while her mother hustled
about. II don't know what we would
do if I lost my job"
you have a nice place here" Muir
ply remarked, hoping to take her
mind from the subject, mindful of her
pretty tear-stained face.
Yes, and ma is SO happy here. We
only took this flat a little while ago. |
We couldn't afford SO good a one until |
Fagin gave me more money"
He gets you cheap enough, I'll beti |
Why you're the whole show there, |
Gerties, the whole cheese as the boys
in the store say I've been to the big /
sporty places. where the society folks
go, and none of the girls. the show |
girls, dance any better than you-not |
many of them so good
It's nice of you to tell me that, /
George, but F'agin has been real good |
to me. I'd hate to leave him and /
shan't as long as he wants me to
stay"
Its everyone for himself in this
world, Gertie- You must look out for
4 know, here comes ma with the /
ManfulIy George swallowed the bev-
erage and with relish ate the thin, |
nicely Drowned toast. Then he left. 4
have to get any breakfast. and would I
be SO early on his job they would /
think him ILL.,
Gertie again thanked him, unaware
that because of the nights happen i
ings Murphy had entertained more !
closely the thought that some day, /
when he got a raise. she might look I
with favor on his suit
AIS well that ends we'll" he said /
to Mrs. Cummings She had taken /
an instant liking to him, which he /
shrewdly perceived
CTomorrow-Tim meets with an
accident.)