The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-07-08
THROUGH JAZZ TO HIGHER
THINGS.
By Mary Gertrude Connolly.
Copyright, 1921, by the Wheeler
Syndicate Ipn

Copyright, 1921, by the Wheeler
Syndicate, Inc)
Crash, Bang! Crash,
The band in a burst of glorious
abandon proclaimed that jazz was
neither dead nor in any hurry to
die, and out upon the floor pranced
the inevitable first couple at every
public dance, ribbons and coat
tails flutterings and heads bobbing
rhythmically, looking for all the
world like a pair of well-trained
circus horses, performing for the
benefit of interested spectators.
| Roger, aged IS, eager to taste the
| pleasures of life, was hiding in
| secluded corner of the dance hall
in a manner not at all conducive to
the realization of his desires. Now
and then, while trying Intellectually
to obliteEate himself utterly, he
pulled desperately at his collar, as
! though in an effort to avoid stran-
gulation.
"The dance halls the place." one
of his more sophisticated friends
had told him upon learning of his
budding desire for a gay social ex-
istence- You'll have a good time
there! You're a good dancer, too"
he had added; every chance in the
world"
And Roger had deserted his
books and had come with a pleasant
sense of anticipation, only to find
that their steps were not his steps.
Many other dancers were now upon
the floor, stamping and shaking
themselves about in manner
which seemed momentarily to men
ace each others personal safety,
and Roger watched them with des-
pair in his heart.
1t was just at this point that
Peggy caught sight of Roger and
adjudged him just about green"
enough for her purpose. 1t was
prize waltz night at the hall, and
Peggy was acting as professional
prize-taker for the management.
Peggy's partner not having arriv-
ed, it looked as though the manage
ment would be out quite a bit of
money unless Peggy could discover
some one in the hall with nimble
feet and slow wit. Roger suffering
in his obscure corner, looked posi-
BILE for her. Accordingly he found
himself gazing into a pair of shrewd |
brown eyes, while he listened to the |
occasional "crack" of busy gum.
"Dancin' tonight?" the girl in !
quired, standing with one hip
slightly elevated.
Roger shook his head in embar-
rassment. TOO much for me-" he |
explained, indicating the musical
stampede.
The girl caught him by the arm.
ooh, come on" she said, in what
was meant to be a very fngratiatine
7oice. stop holding up the cor
Ier" Is
She led the way to the floor and a
logger found himself one of the
-hrong, and getting along rather\
we'll in spite OF his NERVOUSNESS.
Hes built on the society plan
and 'deadone,' thought Peggy, but
he'll do in the waltz"
A few moments later Roger felt |
cold slip about his neck |
IS he passed the platform occupied
y the band, and he shivered slight
Y. eli had often heard of myster- y.
Gus factor employed in public
places called "the hook" and he
wondered if he could possibly be
receiving such an indignity. A |
shudder ran up his spine, but after
dancing gfngerly forward and feel
ng no ominous tightening about his
hroat he found courage at the end
II the dance to investigate A wire
lad been slipped over his head, and
! red placard ornamented his back ,
With No. Is printed in white upon J
t. )
whats the idea?" he ventured to !
he girl.