Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-23
By ROE ~FuLkERSON

READ THIS FIRST:
At a high school alumni dance
Bcttw Brown finds herself unattrae-
tive TO men. A consultation with
her mother and her friend Lois
makes her feel that her lack or az
traction is physical. She determ-
ines to learn dancing 70 make ner-
self more graceful. She gets her
fathers approval and her mothers
reluctant consent. but George Har-
ris. the boy next door, thoroughly
disapproves.
CNow GO ON WITH THE sToRY)
CHAPTER VI
The dance recital was in the ball
room Of a large hotel. When Betty
arrived the hall was packed with the
friends and relatives Of the per-
formers. II was a ~fashionahly dress
ed audience; a. Betty walked down
the aisle behind the usher she smil-
ed, repeating her little rhyme il
tune to her steps.
The ticket Lois had given her en-
titled her TO an aisle seat. Tns
orchestra played the overture and
then the prologue was recited by a
pretty girl sttired as a page. The
curtain went back. showing the stage
empty save for a piece Of mauye
silk in its center.
A breeze stirred the potted palms.
rustling their fronds. IL caught the
edge Of the silk. sending IL fluttsr-
ms upward. revealing the reclining
body Of a pretty girl. who yswnsd
and caught its edSs as 1t floated
away.
She rose gracefully. In tins to
the music, o. began = slow dance,
the tempo OF whgch increased until
she seemed TO float with the scarf.
il waved in unison with her move
ments, sometimes high flung and at
others twined around bar supple
body.
Behind her twenty other girls
scarfs forming q background for the
pretty solo dancer. Betty was car
ried away with the beauty and grace
Of IL, and Joined heartily in the
applause which followed this open
ing number.
"A curtain near the front OF the
stage dropped. leaving room for q
girl, who sang a song IN a too-shTllI
voice made up Tor vocal deficlsn-
rIes BY finishing with a clog dance.
Betty though ncr father would en-
Joy ID. for the girls feet we're light
ming like. and noisy enough To please
a trap drummer.
The program specified that en-
cores were not permitted. After re-
ceiving her ~weil-earned applause,
the cloggeT retired ana the curtain
rose behind her TO show a cabaret
scene. Around tables were seated
pupils not dancing IN this scene.
The setting was arranged q give op-
p0rtunity for the solo dancers and
opened with a lively dancing chorus
which did q pretty soft shoe num-
Der.
Then the spotlight played On .
corner Of the stage and Betty got
her first view of her friend Lois
She wSs dressed al a wood sprite.
A garland Of leaves around her
loins and another across her chest
constituted her costume. AS she
danced TO the center Of the stage a
muscular boy came from the oprc-
site side. His costume waa much
the sane as hers. leaving his splsn-
didiy developed body almost bare.
The program titled the dance The
Pursuit. With inviting gesture, the
boy danced toward her; with esy
movements shs evsded him. while
she lured him on. Several times she
slipped between his outstretchet
hands. Tim he caught her, throw
ing her high, where she posed lignt-
w In his arms
He tossed her aside TO dance alone
She followed until he turned. then
leaped into his arms. Catching her.
he put his hand 10 the middle OF
her back and held her shove his
head. steadying her with the other
hand grasping her ankle.
Burst after burst OF applause
greeted the various figures Of this
atagio number. When the boy final
iy walked off the stage with Lois
draped over his arm. the show vas
stepped until they came back.
To Betty the dance 81 absolutely
charming She began to understand