The Topeka state journal., 1922-06-17
four DANCING FEET
LILLY DECIDES TO MARRY LEN
BY JANE PHELPS

CHAPTER 4.
"Oh, Cert, I've got something to
tell you'll" Lilly said as they started
for their evenings work, as they al
ways called it. "I'n bet you can't
guess what it isl
I'm not good at guessing" Gertie
answered in a quiet voice. What is
90
Your friend Tom amt the only one
who's going to get married"
How do you think I'll look as Mrs.
O'Connor?"
Really. Lilly! Are you going to
marry Len?''
ing for Rosenburg. I don't see any
chance of getting anything better, and
Len is crazy to get married. always
thought he was in love with you. He
says he makes enough SO I won't have
to dance, and can have pretty clothes
and good time. We are going to
look for a flat tomorrow"
'I hope you will be real happy, Lii
ly. Len is good fellow. But how
will your mother get along without
you?"
THE others will have to help her.
I did my share. I amt like you, Cert,
letting Jennie go to school, playin' the
lady. while you work: I'm sick and
tired of handing out"
Perhaps Len will help them
Not so you could notice it. he
won't! He told me so. He said he
wasn't marryin' the family. They'll
get along all right. Mamie is goin'
into a factory soon as school is out,
and in the fall she'll be old enough
so them truant officers won't meddle.
Jimmie is selling papers, and they'll
both have to help ma. It's bum bein'
the oldest; folks think because you
are it's up to you to support the fam
lily! But I'm thru"
when are you going to be mar
ried ?"
fright away. Len don't want to
wait. He gave me $50 to help with
my clothes. I'm going to tell Rosen-
burg tonight he can get some one in
my place. Lens got most $500 saved
up! You just wait and see me after
were married. I'll show the folks 1
know how to be stylish"
Are you awful happy. Lilly?" Ger
ties tone was wistful. "Do you love
Len very much ?''
''I amt thfnkin' much about the love
parti He's all right, and can give me
things. I'm sick and tired of never
havin things like other girls; or If
do have something having ma act
as if 1 was doing wrong spending my
own money"
But, if you don't love him"
you read too many novels, Cert,
all that mush about loving amt any
good for you. Why don't you freeze
onto George Murphy. He's your kind.
ne q De nice aOOu( n0ip4HS yOQE AOAhSf
too, if that's what you want. don't!
I want Lens money myself. He's big
and strong. and good looking, when
he's cleaned up
As Gertie dressed she thought of
Lilly Would she be happy? Was
her, Gertie, expect too much love?
Someway her very soul revolted
against the idea of marrying-unless
one loved.
Lilly, her marriage, everything save
that Tom was there sitting alone at
table and smiling at her. Even If
what the paper said was true, he had
come to see her dance. Perhaps it
wasn't so-could she have courage
enough to ask him?
When she went on in her "spe-
cialty'' he applauded softly. Never
had Gertie looked. more lovely, never
had she danced so well. She was
dancing for him. At the door he wait
ed for her.
"I am going to take you home" he
said as he tucked her hand under his
arm. My car is parked across the
street"
It was a beautiful night. morning
rather, he laughingly reminded her, as
he made the remark, then looked at
his watch.
1T wonder If we went a long way
home it would worry your mother?"
he asked as he started. shall we
take a turn thru the park"
I'D like to- Gertie said shyly. I'VE
won't be any later than if had gone
in the subway-win we?"
mo, not q minute later. I'll see to
that"
The drive in the morning air-it
was after one o 'clock-went to Gertie's
head She laughed and talked more
than she ever before had when with
him. She was happy-she would be
happy. When he left her at the door
he lifted her face, his hand under her
chin, and kissed her softly on her
cheek
You are very lovely tonight, Gertie.
Good night. dear
Good night. Tom" she breathed.
then turned and ran quickly up the
stairs, her face aflame, her heart beat
ing madly.
lTo be continued-)