The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-22
FOUR DANCING FEET
TINS SECRET is DISCUSSED.
BY JANE PHELPS

CHdpJeE DO
Mrs. Cummings came in glowing.
where's Tom % Tim asked.
He had to go, said somethin' about
an engagement, but, Gertie, he told
me to tell you he would be at The
Mrs. Cummings looked and acted ex-
cited.
Did you have a nice ride, Ma ?''
Gertie asked.
'Indade 1 did! First I was scared
But after we got in the park, forgot
to hold on"
Hold on to what? Tim queried.
THE side of-the auto, of course. My
hand was stiff I hung on so tight. But
you'll be wanting to go up in a air
plane now. I'll bet" Tim said, laugh
''Not a bit of IT. I'll keep on the
ground till they put me Under it. Tom
asked me Somethin, Tim
''What?' Eagerness in his voice.
"Somethin' about you, dearie- J!
"Pn bet it's our secretP Tim was
now sitting up, too excited to want to
rest.
He asked me If you could go home
with him-on his ranch, and stay till
you got strong and well again!"
80 that was your secret, was 1t p
Gertie broke in.
"Um-what did you say, Ma? Can I
go. Ma ~
Mrs Cummings looked at the eager
face, the longing eyes. Home, without
Tim would be lonely, especially for
her. Jennie was engrossed in her
studies; Gertie< had little time with her
because of hef need of sleep and rest
in the mornings. But Tim was always
in and out, the life of the place. But
with the unselfishness of a mother,
she said:4
II told him 1 would think about it.
wouldn't you get homesick, Tim
darlin'? And suppose you got hurried
again? It's long ways from home.
Timmie."
,"Please let me go. Ma He said he'd
teach me to ride a pony, and could
feed the chickens, and he has dogs, a
lot of 'em, and he'll let me learn to
shoot his gun, and" out of breath
he was compelled to stop.
"TH be scared to have you do all
them things, Tim"
"Rats!-He'H show me so I won't
get hurt. He said he done all them
things when he was young as me-
Then: "And we'll ride on the cars. I
amt never rode on the cars, Ma And
ne said he had a nice Chinaman who
would look after me out doors, and q
old woman housekeeper in the house
so If got cold or anything. She takes
care of him, so guess she could take
care of a kid like me. oh, please
MAJ
I'll think about it. dearie. I told
him I'd let him know in a day or two.
1 want to ask the doctor-and-'
You ask Ma to. let me go, Gertie-
I didn't tell about you -blushin' so
when I talked about him, or anything
Tell her, Gertie!"
81 think it would be lovely, Tim. -
She said nothing of the longing she
had felt ever since her mothers con-
fidence that it had been her he had
asked to go home with hin-her ache
when she thought he would soon leave
her again. tom would take good
care of him, Ma"
81 know-but there amt no one like
a mother to take care of children If
they gets sick"
II amt goin' to get sick! Breakin'
my leg amt bein' very sick only for
a few days when it hurt. amt never
been sick, Ma, heard you, brag gin
once to Mrs Arnold that I hadn't"
Speak of-and they appear
81 couldn't make you hear. so l
come right in. And I heard what Tim
said Where's he want to go?"
Home with Tom Norris. out to his
ranch" Mrs. Cummings answered.
Goodness me! Temptin' Providence
call it to let a boy like that go to
a wild country. I expect there's In
dams, and wild animals and"
"Ain't no such things!" Tim indig-
nantlv broke in. tom told me there
wasn't. Only good Indians come
around once in while. And he said
L cOulu rue q pOiiS- I tO<1SS OStA
nothin' against me doin', Mrs. Arnold
1 lust got to go." Tears stood in the
brave eyes
Your Ma needs the money you
make seIlin' papers, too" the visitor
went on paying no heed.
as that it, Ma? Why you don't say
YES" he swallowed a sob.
THAT hasn't anything to do wit It.
Tim Ma dorft need your money now
that earn so much Gertie said
r1,,ietIv A1tho she listened indigna Mt
" to the further objections made by
Mrs Arnold. she comforted Tim by
nodding her head at him, implying
she would urge his going.