Art: Betty Compton

Rakish is Broadway's Betty Compton. She sways in luscious curves about the stage. With a maximum of temptation she ululates the ditties of the Gershwin brothers. Friskily she tapdances. Languidly she intones between-us-girls dialog. People ogle through their binoculars, applaud mightily. Yet in 148 years no one will remember her.

Demure was London's Betty Compton. Her smile was mischievous but reliable. She lived 148 years ago, but she is still remembered. Reason: Sir Joshua Reynolds painted her portrait. At the time she was 20. She was the daughter of the 7th Earl of Northampton. Her combined hair & wigs piled up enormously...

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