Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-05
7@e Dance ST Death.

would you care to meet herr" he asked out
side. Come, will take you. She has the most
enjoyable little suppers You will find there
Delrois and Leblanc-others too, who think she is
beautiful and witty. One night you may forego
your foolish society longing"
my dear Enterre,' I said. Nothing pleases
better than the prospect If you will
of welcome"
You are my FRIEND" he answered simply.
accompanied him gladly enough. Mademois-
ellie had not yet arrived from the theatre when
We reached her apartments, but would soon re-
turn. The that we were ushered into
a charming one which money had been spared
to make beautiful. Enterre strobe up to a small
picture that hung rather back from observation,
and stood there long, looking at it. I approached,
and saw over his shoulder that it young
married couple in their honeymoon. My friend
turned away with quick sigh.
what is the matter, Enterre?" I cried, clap
ping him upon the back. 'You are queer of
late"
Eyes, l am queer-of late" he said
Two other came in. both of whom
knew Then the sound of much laughter and
many voices. Enterre stood at a table turning
the leaves of a book.
"Enterre," whispered, 81 do not know La Joie."
True" he laughed "and she is very particular
about having people presented"
And then the door opened, and she entered,
followed by great crowd of gentlemen, and not
another in sight but her maid. She wore
a long carriage cloak, which she presently threw
off leaving to my surprise only her ballet
tune with it's short fluffy skirts and pink tights.
| was duly presented, and then merely watched
her she sat in big chair chatting busily with
the crowd of men about her. There were at least
fifteen of them scattered around the room, most
of them grouped La Joie OF the remaining
few who talked among themselves, | remember
Enterre was one He apparently listened to a
man with long hair and a bright face, but plainly
his thoughts were with La Joe, she merrily
laughed and conversed He occasionally glanced
at her with such light in his eyes only
accompanies fervent love. Enterre bewitched by
the balletdancer? At the time l thought how
foolish it was.
This same danseuse however was able to keep
those men at her side in fascinated attention
until supper was announced Then, with wild
mrth they escorted her into the adjoining room,
and sat them down. The wine was always the
same, they said. Mile La Joie did not pay for
it. 1t was sent to her a friendly present al
ways anonymously. One of the toasts, l remem-
ber to the wine and then to the glver OF
the wine. La Joie herself proposed the latter
I noticed she did not drink much One glass was
slowly slipped during the meal. She made up
for it in gay speech that flashed from her sweet
lips as champagne bubbles from the bottom of
the glass;
''Now Mademosee" said he, Twill you dancer"
There was great clamor, then rattle of glass
ware and noisy cries. They bore away the dishes
from the table, piling them pelmell in a corner
of the room, putting the cloth at the top. Made
mosee motioned to a musical genius, who dis
appeared in the hext room, and soon the piano
answered to the gayest strains. Smiling, that
her fine white teeth sparked between her parted
lips La Joie sprang upon the long table, and there
danced. l shall never forget 1t was better than
the stage dancing for here one could see her
face and its bright expression, and view well the
toes as they flashed about on the dark wood.
Now her slender body curved and swayed like
tall poplar tossed by the wind; now she spun
about till the short skirts were horizontal and
now-she made a hooking bow and ceased and
sat down upon the table laughing She was beau