Thirteen

This chapter both provides readers with a thorough discourse of Barbara’s successful vaudeville career and expounds on vaudeville history. As gainful dancing opportunities in clubs and cabarets begin vanishing with the encroachment of stricter liquor laws, Barbara’s dancing career stagnates. She meets veteran vaudevillian Ben Deely, joins his acclaimed vaudeville act, and leaves California, touring the country on the vaudeville circuits. A romance, alternately punctuated by passion and friction, begins between them. Still technically married to Philip Ainsworth until his final divorce decree is issued, Barbara—little suspecting the future consequences of her actions—nonetheless joins Ben in a scheme they believe permits them to marry legally, and they are wed. Plagued by ill health once again and suffering dancing injuries, Barbara has a physical breakdown, is advised to return to California, and is forced to stop dancing for good and suspend her vaudeville career.