Evening star., 1923-05-06
allo You're not the kind that ought

allo You're not the kind that ought
to do it."
You mean l can't?" she challenged.
why do sou want to? Don't you
see you're different. that you've got
something that's a whole lot better?"
"Yes but that don't make my liv-
ing" she answered. bitterly.
"Ain't there any other way you can
make it?'
Teaching dancing in a small town.
I did that for four years. I'd do any
thing rather than go back"
Even the kind of things you're go
ing to have to do to get the act over?"
he asked incredulously.
Il guess that's not going to worry
me very long. Davis says they're only
waiting until they can send some
thing else before they close the act"
Where do you go tomorrow"
milwaukee. You're playing the
same town, aren't you?"
Bert nodded.
Il suppose that's where they'll close
us she went on listlessly Nobody
thinks we've got a chance"
Its a bum act anyway. l don't see
how they ever got it on. But look
here. What's going to happen to you
then?"
Il don't know" There was a des-
perate note in her voice. That's what
I'm trying to find out"
ind T.
harshly. Look here, kid. Don't you
go and do something foolish There
amt any one on the bill but says you
can dance
Yes, the one-two- three -four kind
of dancing, the kind l taught those
knock-kneed youngsters. But / can't
get ginger into the audience. When
it comes to getting it over I'm a
frost"
Bert looked thoughtful. He could
no more have agreed with her than
he could have struck a child
You're different" he said. Most of
them think they're world beaters and
say the acts no good"
ours isn't, but ! ought to make
them know 7 was on the stage"
Listen" he exclaimed. The words
which followed his exclamation were
driven out incoherently by his sudden
inspiration. I'll stake you. I'm
drawing down good money and I've
got lot that's not doing anything
right now. I know how it is myself
to be up against it. You're pretty
and you know you're rotten. That's
going a long ways and then after
wards
He paused suddenly at a loss as to
where to place this visionary triumph
of the future.
Then afterwards" the girl re-
peated.
'Afterwards, you can eithey pay it
back or forget about it, he finished
grimly.
Il might have known she mur-
INJURED as she laid an impulsive hand
on his arm. you're good--too good"
she added. That's why I couldn't
do it. You get nothing out of it,
There's no way I>could pay you back
Now Harry gets something out of
making people. That's what he says
he can do with me. But first he's got
to teach me how to live"
Live, Live for him.. you mean
And when he's through with you he
will throw you down. Don't you sup
pose I know him? Listen, Masie. Do
you care about him."
For a moment she did not answer
as she pulled her long gloves through
straining fingers.
Il don't think you've got a right
to ask that question:" she ventured
at last.
Bert stepped closer until his moody
eyes stared straight into hers
Maybe I've got a better right than
any one you know" he said slowly.
IT'S an easy question to answer"
But 1T isn't" she broke in. I
guess ! don't even know myself.
don't think he's good or gentle or
even kind. But there's something in
him that makes you do what he
wants you to. Do you get what
mean?"
Bert NODDED.
ct guess" she went on with a
strange dreaminess OF expression.
folks like you and me need that kind
to put us over. We don't seem to get
anywhere by ourselves"
Bert started.
do you think 1t was that way with
me" he demanded. wrathfully. did
he say that about our act?"
well. you weren't working when
he picked you up"
But the stuff was mine. He didn't
add new bit Of business to it."
mo. but he showed you how to use
it,"
"Yes. and he got fifty-fifty for the
idea. You're right when you say you
can pay him back. He sees that you
do it all right. Go on. Try it! You'll
find there's something worse than
teaching dancing"
Masie faced him and four years of
revolt against monotony and drudgery
fiared in her eyes.
There couldn't be" she declared,
with a fierceness which stiffened the
small. trim body. Nothing could be
worse than that. But anyway,
haven't done it yet. Maybe I won't
l.