The Argosy, Vol. 82, No. 3 — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

MOVIE MEN Burton now called Hadley, who had re- mained seated on the running board with the stoicism of an Indian. “Bring the make-up box,” he directed. Hadley reached into the machine and produced the box Burton had purchased in the village. Tommy opened it, took out the necessary requisites and advised Marion how to make up as well as his limited knowledge permitted him to do. She accepted the articles like a child re- ceiving a new toy. “You know, I have never used these either, Mr. Payne.” “You'll have no trouble,” Burton assured her. ‘The costume you are wearing is just the thing.” When she had disappeared indoors, Gray- son turned to Burton. “Of all the ready liars,” he began, ‘“‘you certainly —” “Yes, and of all the boneheads,” Burton hissed, “‘you are the worst; calling me Tommy. Call me Franklin, or Frank, or Frankie, if you will; the name must cor- respond with the card.” Grayson took his pipe from his mouth. “T hope you'll never meet a girl in a phaeton, Tommy,” he gasped. “If I had to do this for you I’d cave in before I was half way through.” Five minutes later Marion reappeared. “And how does it look?” she asked. “Splendid!” commented Burton, “actu- ally bully.” In fact, both he and Grayson were sur- prised, for she had applied just enough make-up, and had done it carefully. As they started down the steps Grayson placed his pipe on the rail of the porch, an act which was to be responsible for one of the most exciting adventures he had ever experienced in his young life. His stage fright had now disappeared, and the near presence of the girl he now knew he loved made him ready for any- thing. Marion, too, seemed in gay spirits. Burton stopped them about two hundred feet from the house. “Let us film it here,” he said. “First we'll have rehearsal. The idea, Miss Maw- brey,” he explained in the patronizing tone he had heard Payne use, “is to show happi- ness when Mr. Grayson appears. You will lean against this tree in a dreamy fashion. You are waiting for Rudolph, who is Mr. Grayson. When he appears you converse. He implores you to fly with him. You con- FOR <A DAY. 5383 sent, and the scene ends with you in his arms.’ Marion ‘iushed and looked shyly at Grayson, whose mind kept repeating the name ‘Rudolph.’ ‘‘How on earth did Burton come to pick the name Rudolph for a romantic one,” he asked himself. “‘No doubt he will forget and make it something else next time.” Marion had taken her position against the tree. Burton held up his hand. “You can make up your own words, both of you,” he said; “‘it’s the expression I want. Ready.” Marion leaned against the tree with a faraway look in her eyes. She remembered having seen heroines do that in the pictures, and thought it quite proper to do now. “Bully!” ejaculated Burton. ‘Now, Miss Mawbrey, you hear Randolph’s ap- proach.” “T thought so,” muttered Grayson, under his breath. “I’m Randolph now.” “You listen,” continued Burton; “that’s it; fine. Now you see him. Ready, Ru- dolph, enter.” Grayson, whose natural manner made up for his lack of acting ability, walked into the scene. ‘I have waited long,” he said, his-voice low and musical, “ for this chance.” His earnestness surprised Marion, but then Mr. Grayson, she reflected, was a star, and undoubtedly put his soul into his work. “And now that you have the chance?” She fairly breathed the words as a strange sensation seemed to thrill her. She felt Grayson’s magnetic personality. “I am going to tell you,” he murmured, “what has been in my heart.” Burton kept quiet. If the expressions on their faces could have been recorded, they would have been pronounced perfect. For a second Grayson looked into her eyes. And with that look came courage. He would not act with her. No, every- thing he did and said he would feel, regard- less of the presence of his friend and the butler. ‘Patience has its reward,” he whispered, “and I see now what I tried to know be- fore.” She felt the blood rushing to her cheeks. “And what is that?” Her voice was barely audible. “That even as I loved you, you, too, would love me. Ah, I know,” his voice in- (E(0) DOOKS AAG (©)