The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-08-11
THE TAXI DANCER

; me to hospital. But I'm stony
broke - be yourself. kittie-
you're busted"
Joslyn's curved lips suddenly
grew straight.
Her Decision.
Listen, honey!' Her words
were gentle. steel-strohg. You're
going to q hospital right away.
After tonight I'll be making
loads of money plenty to get
you caredr'
STEMS Dancing Academy was
pulsating with life when Joslyn
paid 81 entrance fee, passed
through a lobby turnstile and
into an elevator. Somewhere
above she emerged into vast
expanse of polished floor under
a low ceiling draped with blue
chiffon through which obscure
lights filtered softly.
A rhythmic. brassy blare OF
jazz filled the family perfumed
air above a kissing undereul rent
OF many sliding feet. Beyond
the dancers almost q block
away, was a low platform. car.
peted and furnished with tables
and chairs discreetly Swallowed
by ported palms. Sundry couples
were at the tables dallying with
food and drinks from q remote
fountain.
JosIyn was conscious OF a swirl
OF the senses, tremulous excite
rnent-was prepared with nerv.
Gus determination for the bust.
ness OF earning a lot OF money,
quickly. Milton Stein. the travel
ing salesman. had mentioned the
incredible sum OF $50 or $40 q.
week. Fortunately, she had pre-
served his card.
Edging the dance floor was q
crowded group OF watchers,
mostly men. Near a booth sat
what seemed to be a waiting line
Of young and surprisingly pretty
girls in sleeveless dresses. Over
.leir heads in blue lights was the
single-worded sign CHAPERONES.
A similar sign, though smaller.
over the booth read, Tickets -or
the Chaperones.
The Right Kind
At the booth Joslyn inquired
for Mr.. Herman Stein, the pro-
prietor, and vas directed to a
cubby-hole office. 1.-TWO men, both
mIddle-aged. were within: rae
was broad-shouldered and strik-
ing In dinner clothes with his
iron-gray hair brushed back from
a slightly florid brow. The other
in a business suit was. squat
with a heavy nose and tired eyes.
The latter, it developed, was Her.
man Stein.
$50 Milton sent you to me for
a Job, hey? Well, we need the
right kind OF girls at all times.
Slip out Of that cloak an let's
see how you look.
Joslyn hariened-dropped her
cape TO a chair. Again she was
clad in one Of Kittie's evening
gowns. I'm as good looking as
any Of those girls outside" she
told herself grimly.
You'll do" Stein decided
quickly. "You know what the
proposition is. l suppose? Three
dances for 35 cents. Twenty
i've cents TO you an ~ 10 the
house. Ten per cent commission
on any business you bring to the
tables. We got girls knockin' off
better'n SIS a week, without tips"
Tips! Spiritually, If not physt.
cally, Joslyn WINGED. The second
man spoke up, faint tang Of
the gutter in his voice.
Mr.. Stein don't mean that ex'
actly like it sounds. Some of the
girls make friends, and accept
presents-slippers, stockings and
so forth. We don't go into that
at all-it's all up to the girl"
az wouldn't be interested in
that part of it," Joslyn told him
with a shade of dignity.
That's good don't blame
you. / see you're a stranger in
New York. You're from the
South. Can tell by the accent.
My names Bates-Stephen Bates
and I'm sort OF a silent partner
with Mr.. Stein here. Suppose
you tell US something about
yourself, now"
Joslyn did not feel arr out.
right dislike for the man but
there was something about him
that, instinctively, put her on
her guard.
IF you must know" she said
coldly, "I'll confess that didn't
want to take up this work but
came simply because have
to earn a lot Of money in a
hurry. A friend OF nnine--a GIRL
lis pretty siek. She needs TO so