Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

408 Out of the corner of her eye she saw that it was he of the green cap. ; “Well, of all the nerve! Here’s where ‘one movie masher gets all that’s comin’ to him if he tries to get fresh with me!”’ She gave the powder-puff a decisive shove into her hand-bag, and as she did so her hand touched Miss Bickers’s card. A bril- liant idea was born with the contact. The young man had just sidled into the next seat. Mary patted the card reassuringly and waited for the expected to happen. As she surmised the young man at once paid more attention to her than he did to the slap-stick antics on the screen. Mary’s attitude was decidedly encouraging and presently he attempted that age-old opener: “ My, but it’s warm!” ‘« Since y’mentioned it, it 7s kinda warm,” Mary answered. Having put the weather to rest it was natural the next topic in order should be the movies. Apparently the young man was well versed in film lore. Fle even vouchsafed the information that he was connected with the movies. “Ts that so? Mebbe vou might work for Worth Brent himself?” Mary asked him. The young man admitted it. ‘‘]’m sort of assistant to Worth, help him with some of the little scenes.” * So you’re a real director?” ‘Oh, I'd hardly say that.” “Did y’ do any of the scenes in ‘ The Lotus Isle ’?” “No, most of them were made down South.” “Ts that so? Y’know I read in a movie magazine all the beautiful outdoor scenes were taken down there.” ‘Ves, 1 heard there was an article, but I haven’t seen it.” “Tt was a pretty good story. But I didn't think y’could believe all the movie magazines said. 1 read one once that saicl Worth Brent was always lookin’ for a ideal type and that y’ didn’t have to have ex- perience or anything if y’ had the features.” Mary eved the young man narrowly. “Is that true?” ‘* Absolutely. If you'll pardon me for. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. taking liberties I’d like to ask you if you'd let me take a few shots of you?” ‘Aw, quit kiddin’ me!” “ No, I mean it. We can go out some- where, say next Sunday, and have a day of it. When the film is developed I’ll show it to Worth. I think you’re just the girl he wants tor his next picture, ‘ The Heart of Joan.’ He’s casting it now.” Mary kept a firm grip on Ann Bickers’s card. Things were moving faster than she had anticipated. “ Y’really mean it?” “Sure, why not? you've got-—”’ ‘Nothin’ doin’ on that kiddo business! Not with me!” ‘IT beg your pardon, Miss—Miss—”’ ‘’ Bickers, Ann Bickers.”’ “I did not intend to be rude, Miss Bickers.” You know, kiddo, ‘Well, I'll forgive y’ this time. Where’s Mr. Brent now?” The young man hesitated. ‘I’m not quite positive. You see, I've been away on my vacation, but I think he may be up. Westchester way.”’ Mary remembered she had read several times in the daily papers about gay parties at Westchester roadhouses. So that was it? “Would we have to go up where Mr. Brent ts?” she asked. “We wouldn’t have to, but it would be better to go up there if you'll go. You might meet Worth.” ‘Oh, I'd love to meet him, Mr-—what’s your name?”’ ‘ Burton, Jimmy Burton.” “Don’t think I’m rushin’ things, Mr. Burton, but you’ve got me ail excited like. Why couldn’t we motor up to-morrow? Of course, we might not be able to find Mr. Brent, but y’ could take my pictures any- way, and we could have a reg’lar picnic. If I do say it myself 1 kinda like you, Mr. Burton.” ‘“That’s just fine, Miss Bickers' Tl see you home and then IJ’ll come around to- morrow.” To have him see her home would disrupt all Mary’s plans. For a moment she was nonplused, but only for a moment.