The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-12-23

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| better than nothing. She determined
to be first of the hundred-odd appli-
cants. at the studio on the morrow,
and so, indeed, she was.
On the way out next morning Miss
Mile occupied herself with perusal
| Of the newspaper and therein read a
| long account of the stupendous pro-
duction which the National Film Man
ufacturing company was about to re-
| lease. The names of fascinating AL
frey Arlington, darling Of the movie
fans, and of Ned Tofman. her hand
some male support" occurred fire.
quently. The release was to be in no
less than five reels, three of which
the press notice stated were already
done and desperate efforts were be-
ing made to finish taking the other two
for a theater presentation by Christ
mas eve. "A mammoth, elaborate pro-
duction .. no expense spared
:" ETC., etc., ad lib.
Not knowing much about the
movies, Millicent wasn't much i'm.
pressed, however. At the moment
her mind was fervently occupied with
melancholy "reminiscences of a Med"
whom she herself had known-Ned
Harkins, who had pledged eternal fidel.
ity to her in the shadow of hay
stack one moonlight night years be-
fore when both he and she were bare
ly more than children. Ned-her
Ned-had gone away to the big city
three years before to make his for
tune She never had heard from him
since.
Unclouded eyes, fresh clean CON-
p1exion and simple direct address won
Millicent her interview with the Of
fee manager in the film plant. While
he still was explaining her new filing
duties in rushed the chief director
hair rumpled and gesticulating in wild
excitement.
Audrey Arlington fell down in the
middle Of her big scene In the last
reel Of the Christmas release. :.
Complete nervous breakdown! -. :.
hysterical are rushing her d.
rect to the nearest hospital now.
What in heavens name will
we do? There isn't girl in the whole
stock company who can make up to
look enough like her to complete the
personiflcation for this final reel!"
The head director kept wringing his
hands and swearing frantically. The
president of the company registered
acute distress. Then his eyes acct
dentally fell upon pretty Millicent
among her filing cases.
Look! Look; Mr.. 1saacsohn!"
yelled the head director, pointing. "As
I live, that girl looks enough like Miss
Arlington to be mistaken for her on
the street! -. Come here, Miss
Miss whatever-your-name is! Have
you ever posed before picture
camera? No? well, 1t doesn't
make any difference just now anyway.
You're fired from that Office job. I'll
give you $50 week to substitute for
Miss Arlington in this last reel. -.
No, I haven't time to listen to any
thing about it! Come on back to the
studio with me right now! The set
is all up and we were right in the
middle Of the scene when Miss Arl-
ington tainted. Ned To,man, the
leading man, is waiting. C'mon!"
Bewildered Millicent was pulled
out Of the busy Offices and back to
the huge glass-domed studio where
the last reel of the famous Christmas
release was being held in impatient
allegiance for its principal.
Listen now, MISS" exploded the
director as Millicent emerged from
the dressing room clad in the same
wonderful gown that Audrey Airing
ton had been wearing only ten min
utes before. "Pay attention to what
say and don't stare at either me or
the camera. Act natural; that's
what we're paying you for! Walk in
side Of those tape lines on the floor
and don't on any account move out
side them. This scene is the parlor
of your home. It's supposed to be
Christmas eve. You're to turn your
back to the camera and be tieing a
sprig Of mistletoe to the chandelier.
Mr.. Ned Tolman, who plays opposite
lead will do the rest. You simply
act as any girl would under the cir
cumstances. Hey you! Get
Mr.. Tolman from his dressing-room.
Tell him we're all ready again. Now,
In you 60 miss"
Millicent did just as she was told,
although her heart beat fast and her
head was In whirl. With her back
to the assemblage behind the crank
ing comera man, she raised both arms,
to tie the sprig Of mistletoe to the
chandelier. Quick footsteps sounded
behind her and, an instant later, q
mans strong arms were around her
waist and his handsome face thrust
close to hers for kiss.
With cry Of mingled fright and In
dignation. the girl squirmed about IN