Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 3 — page 38: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

COMPLETE IN THIS ISSUE. CHAPTER I. | THE SPARROW. IKE two half-nude caryatides the life- size poster likenesses of Juno the Per- fect Woman flanked the entrance to the burlesque theater. Flamboyantly im- modest, highly colored, they advertised the physical perfections of their original in type and picture. Between them at hours of per- farmances passed long lines of lewd-eyed men, eager for a glimpse of the beauty of- fered to their view, while a gratified mana- ger of the show rubbed his hands in self- congratulation that he had been shrewd enough to devise this exploitation of femi- nine charms to pander so successfully to human lusts. The posters were but part of the advertis- ing campaign that bruited forth the perfec- tions of Juno and shared them with whom- ever purchased admission. Smaller cards diagrammed the woman’s form, and’ car- ried, in imposingly erudite display, a com- parison of her measurements with those of classic models of bodily symmetry, together with a crass invitation to contrast with the dimensions of modern women. In newspapers and on programs Juno en- joyed the high-sounding title of prima donna of her company. Nominally, at least, she was accorded much honor in the ribald entertainment that she graced. Hers were the titular perquisites of a star, and to her accrued whatever dignity might come from lavish publicity of her name and fea- tures. Juno had risen to the pinnacle of her chosen form of art. 2 Once there had been born, unwelcomed and unloved, into the already large family of one Twister Morgan a woman-child. Fortunately, the babe had been unaware of the paternal curses and the maternal apathy that greeted her arrival, else she might have succumbed to discouragement. Some grudg- ing obedience to conventions allowed her a name, and without benefit of clergy, she was christened Polly, Twister Morgan, who gained his living by precarious and picaresque ways, had too little time from his own devious affairs to give the new daughter more than a passing attention. His drab and spiritless wife was compelled by interests of motherhood to extend slightly more care to her offspring. So, soon as early weaning process was painfully completed, Polly was turned over to the ungentle and uncertain care of an elder sister, and parental solicitude for her ceased. She thrived, as all things thrive that are compelled to cope with great adversity, and 348 CORMICLOO© nn) Ss (C@