The Washington times., 1937-09-16

Cuilt to their watchdog eyes.
Quite unaware that the detec-
tive was following her, she rushed,
mouth dry and hot with shame,
from the department store. She
thought she had gotten away
with her first sin, that her ruse
of having the Salesgirl exhibit ex'
pensive bracelets till she IoSt
count, had succeeded.
But the grim man following
her had watched every move
with gimlet glanceS. He could
have arrested the childish, dark
eyed culprit the instant she left
the store, he had sufficient evil
dence for a conviction, but he
preferred to follow.
He Swallowed the graceful fig
ure doggedly, through the crowds,
the subway, to a roomlng mouse
in the forties...
WORK SCARCE
Conchita had not dreamed, six
months ago, when she left intrigue
torn Cuba, that work and money
could be so hard to secure in rich
New York.
Especially for a wistful senorita
whom the good sisters had taught
to play piano, speak three Ian
guageS, and do very fine en-
broidery.
She was to learn that New York
business houses are particular
about such things as stenography
and filing, but are quite blind to
the finer accomplishments. eSpe-
cially embroidery.
She had had job at first, OF
course. Without the promise OF
a fine position in the importing
house of Jose fernando, family
friend, madre, the ever watchful,
would never have let her depart
Cuba.
But alas, the kind Jose had been
so generous with his position CIV
ing to fallen compatriots! And
he had known so little about the
business he had started since flee
ing Cuba and the revolution that
had beggared them all.
The firm had failed a few
months after her arrival, and she
could not accept charity from the
distressed Jose who had not nearly
enough for his own blood kin.
MAKESHIFT JOBS
Even after she had become a
stately madre grande Conchita
was never able to forget the fol
lowing interval. Business, offices,
musicians unions, all were closed
to her.
Every night she had knelt be-
fore the picture Of the Holy Ma
donna in her room, and had asked,
very hard, to please send a fine
position SO that the familia re
manning back in Havana could
eat, too.
But the Madonna must have
been busy listening to more worthy
pleas, because the prayers were
never answered.
So finally she had answered the
dance hall advertisement. The
one she had seen night after night
in the help wanted section: Girls
wanted, under Is, as dance host
esses. Must be good dancers, en-
tertaining."
The small sleek dance hall man
who interviewed her had brushed
lightly over her dancing qualifica'
tons.
"Oh we'll take the dancing part
for granted" he had said. Il can
see with half an eye you're light
on your feet as Waiting mouse.
What I'm wondering is, how you'll
DO at sitting out"
Sitting out?"
"Sure. When a customer comes
n who doesn't want to dance, but
Is lonesome, he pays for your time
at the regular rate, four dollars
an hour, and the two of you sit
out in one of our side booths.
you get Is per cent, and all
you gotta do is keep the guy
amused"
"Hey," he had broken off, peer
ing into Conchita'S apprehensive
eyes, you aren't one of these
baShful danes are you, you know
what I mean" he had added sig
nificantly, tightening the pres
sure Of his hand upon her arm.
'No, no, I mean yes" Conchita
had Stammered, trying to free her
self. II withdraw my application
I'm afraid I have not the qualifi'
cations"
Right" he had agreed disgust.
eddy. You'd be no good here, just
a touch-me-not. But it sure is a
shame" he had continued regret
fully, running his eyes over her
lightly poised figure, because as
. dancer you'd be a natural.
"Got the looks, too. Ever had
any training in stage rhumba OF
Spanish? No? Too bad. You'd
have a real chance therein fact
know OF an opening next montr
but ixnay, you can't dance, SC
WHAT"
LOST INTEREST
He released her arm. He hac
lost interest, apparently.
This dancing position" Con
chita had persisted timidly, "woulc
1t be open for even one such a!
myself. a bashful girl?"
Listen, sweetheart. if you coult
dance for this job you could be a
bashful as you like, off stage. Blu