The Argosy, Vol. 82, No. 3 — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

MOVIE MEN Burton chuckled. “Vour experience has been varied,” he remarked. ‘You’re engaged.” By this time Grayson’s look had become one of despair. “Tf you are going to use my butler, Tom Burton, for one of your crazy notions, and perhaps get him into jail, it will be—” “Tt will be experience for him,” finished Burton. ‘He is to become our star opera- tor. He will turn the crank of a dummy moving picture machine. Leave the rest to me.” “But the idea, man,” persisted Grayson. “What in the name of common sense is all this rot about?” Hadley, whose curiosity was aroused, stood waiting for orders. Excitement and fun of some kind were brewing, and Mr. Burton, whose “ideas” he had seen worked out in the city time and time again, in es- capades that had found their way into the New York newspapers, was just the man to start it. “The idea—” began Burton. Grayson held up his hand. “Tl call if I want you, Hadley.” The butler took the hint and somewhat reluctantly left the room. “The idea,” proceeded Burton, “is sim- ple, but it will take nerve. However, the result will be well worth the risk. You will meet the lady of the phaeton; she, I am sure, will consent to do what is requested of her; you will have an opportunity to make love; she will be quick to note your non-curious disposition and good looks, with the result of a romance, perhaps a wedding, and I, for all my trouble, elected best man. But it will take nerve.” “You said that twice,” growled Grayson. “Tt will take the form of insanity, I’m think- ing.” Burton did not heed the taunt, but con- tinued. “To-morrow you, Hadley and I will visit the Mawbrey house. In my wallet I hap- pen to have a card with Franklin Payne’s name on it. He is a director of the Con- tinental Film Company. I don’t believe you know him. Perhaps he would object to what I intend to do, but where love is concerned there is no time for conscience or compunction. I will present the card to Miss Mawbrey. I am to be a moving pic- ture director, you my leading man, Hadley my operator, and—” “Stop right where you are, 10 A - Grayson FOR A_ DAY. 529 broke in. ‘Of all the wild and outlandish schemes that you have at times executed this is positively—”’ But Burton refused to be overruled. ‘Positively the most original and daring,” he cut in. “Wait and hear me out. My desire will be to use the spacious grounds around her house for a scene. I will tell her that being in a hurry I will not have the time to send to the studio for a young girl who is to play a love scene with you. Immediately I suggest that she make a try at it. She will jump at the chance, believe me, and when you get to know her well— confessions. Those to be made, of course, when I am far away.” Grayson listened with an absorbed air. “But her father, Tom?’ Grayson ob- jected. “Surely he ‘would—” Burton smiled. ‘Since you’ve become a hermit you do not read the papers carefully. Silas Maw- brey has been in Washington for the past week. There he will remain on a business mission for at least one week more.” “But suppose she has relatives or friends at the house,” Grayson again objected; “perhaps some one who would know this Payne, why—” Burton held up his hand. “You say you’ve always seen her alone. Of course, Bob, if you are afraid, we’ll bot- tle the whole business.” | To Grayson’s clear mind the scheme, while daring, was fascinating. The tempta- tion to meet the girl of whom he had grown to think so much was irresistible. Grabbing Burton’s hand he shook it heartily. “Ym with you, Tommy, for better or worse.” “For better, my boy, for better,” re- marked the philosophical Burton. ‘Don’t think of failure.” 1. THE following morning bright and early Burton was up and around the cottage. Grayson was still sleeping, dreaming of the girl of the phaeton and goblins turning cof- fee grinders, when he was suddenly awak- ened by a loud noise. For a second he listened. The din in- creased. Jumping up he went to the win- dow. Below he saw Burton sitting on a chair hammering away at a square wooden box. Burton suddenly looked up. EOPMICLOOOLX< (C@