The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-08-09
The Taxi Dancer : By Robert Terry Shannon

Two weeks.
Funny I haven't seen you be.
fore. Got q job?"
"I had one offered me in an OF
flee, but the mani coulcn't take
it. And I know Of a place in a
dancing academy, but 1t sounds
so tough, doesn't It? I'm trying
to get on in a department store.
"And the bank rolls runnin
thin, / bet. Let's see-by this
time. according to statistics and
your average age for your aver
age weight. you ought to have.
roughly, $3.50 left in the SOCK.
Rock Bottom
The girls smile grew slightly
more courageous. az have over
five dollars left" she said, $50
you see I'm not absolutely broke"
K1ttle Lane clapped hand to
forehead. Five dollars left IN
New York and she thinks she's
not broke! WON'T Wait till room
rent day rolls around. Also
think OF the xstomach. But
don't want y get you all blued
up again, Kid. In fact, I'm o4.e
Of these saps that can't mind my
own business, sometimes. Wen,
it's luck I heard you boo-hooing.
been over the bumps myself.
Not dated up for dinner, ! sup
poser
''I have some crackers and a
bottle Of milk" the newcomer
said negligently.
BE YOURSELF" nnurmured Kittie,
her eyes getting shrewd. YouH
be trying to live on peanuts next;
and that junk gives you pimples.
What you need right now is q
mans size feed-steak, vegetables,
salad and the layout. And that's
what I'm going to stake. you to,
Kid, free, gratis, for nothing.
My names Kittie Lane and In
pleased to meet YOU"
The words ratified like pebbles
In a tin can, but the smile was q
tonic.
my names Joslyn Poe and
you're the first person that's
been at all nice to me in New
York. But I couldn't let you buy
me a meal like that"
Kittie Lanes exact broWs lifted
over Wide.set, transparent blue
eyes. who said anything about
me buying the dinner? Listen,
sister-but you'll learn. If I can't
dig up two Ia cartes on fifteen
minutes notice we'll!
Joslyn looked at Kittie Lane in
utter bewildernent. II don't be.
lieve I understand exactly what
you mean"
You within time" Kittie as.
sured her. Meanwhile, you bet
ter get busy with some cold water
on the slightly inflamed eyes and
lay on a little of the kalsomine
on the old complexion, though
heaven knows you don't need 1t
much. I'll get busy on the tele'
phone and sec what can dc"
For the first time since she
had said a firm good-by to her
reluctant parents, Joslyn felt a
hint OF surcease from the despair
that had hung over her like q
cloud from the day she landed in
the mammoth Pennsylvania sta
ton. Her meager savings had
been but a pittance against the
surprisingly high cost pf even the
plainest kind OF living. But 1t
was better than stagnation
or the George Ransoyns. K1ttie
Lane returned almost Immediately.
Everybody Set?
Cali setr' she sang out, cheer
ily. tits thes Galloping Hind
and they've got real chef there,
too baby. We're dated with
friend for six bells. Got an eve
ming dress?"
It developed that Joslyn had
reasonably presentable party wrap
but when Kittie looked at the
black velvet dress that had
seemed so stunning back home,
che drew down the corners OF ner
mouth.
you'll only be giving yourself
the worst of it II you wear that
disguise" she said. 1T might pc
a Knockout back home, but Us
only a laugh in New York. III
loan you something OF mlne'
dear" ,.
Joslyn protested, but Kittie
souelched her. Out of four or
five evening dresses they selected
one of a shimmering peach color
material, cut very low in the neck
and held over the shoulders with
narrow opalescent straps.
'You got a good silhouette,
Kid" Kittie philosophical; give
It a chance"
when they were dressed they
were each daringly attractive
each contrasting with the otneE;s
Kitty Lane, golden bronze, emp.
per and shrewd about the eyes;
Joslyn, symmetrical, CT e a m
skinned, eyes yelling pools Oh
darkness.
Kittie's eyes, as they were leav-
ing. searched Joslyn-probed ner
with penetrating, slightly baffled
intensity. An uneasiness gain
cred slowly in Joslyn's breast.
For no accountable reason she
thought, suddenly, OF Minnie
Gumbo's sinister prophecy.
II guess it's all right" kittle
said finally and slowly. But
there's one thing you better re-
member, pal. Remember wno
brought you along-an' lay Off
the boy friend"
"The boy friend'll meet US at
The Galloping Hind and pay the
fare" Kittie told Joslyn, as she
blitheIy signaled a taxicab.
"That's lesson No. / in the gentle
art Of getting by in the big town.
It isn't an art, though. It's a
science. Never spend q cent
when you can sock a man for it."
Joslyn smiled and tried not to
betray the unpleasant sensation
stirred by Kittie's words.
What is this friend like who's
taking US to dinner?" she asked,
after a brief pause. that ignored
Kittie's mercenary observations.
A Cynical Sort