The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1917-01-19
An ALL-STAR CAST
BY LESLIE Beach.

Miss Harriet LOngstreth had Ons
hObby--weakhess, let lis call It, fOr
going to the movies every night made
an inrOad of sixty cents week on her
slender income and she realized that
the dimes she paid to the cashier Of
the Bijou should he drawing four per
cent with the rest Of her rainy day
fund,
but" she argued sensibly, III Pm
happy in the evening 4 can work all
day without noticing 1t. But IL don't
have a little diversion 1 just get sick
of the sight of raisin rolls, angel food
and doughnuts. Besides, l make them
better and my customers buy more.
30 I don't know bit that 1 get
hundred per cent on my investment"
Miss Harriet was as attractive as
she was sensible. And 1t was no fault
of hers or of the scores of beauX she
had had in her teens that she had
never married. She had just been
needed That was all. Now everyone
was gone and although she stayed on
In the old home she found 1t neces-
sary to exc out the family nest egg
by making goodies for the neighbOrs.
No one guessed that capHblei good
looking Miss Harriet was having an
affair, not even the recipient of her
affectlons-fOr she was in love with
movie actOrl
Night after night she watched for
the Green Crab" to flash on the
screen, the insignia of the Morgold
Film company, because a thrilling
drama would likely follow In which
Garter Ayiesworth was sure to feat
ure.
Now Carter AyleswOrth did not take
the star part in these pieces, nor was
he young and strong and handsome.
To be frank, his hair was thinning
and turning gray, his hose was long
and irregular, and his eyes had near
sighted, watery look that told OF the
habitual lens-wearer.
Carter Aylesworth was the goat. Ev-
cry picture has one. If the place called
for poor devil Jailed for twenty years
by mistake he was the fhan, II the
brettS hefblhe had to hurry home at
hight from the factory to her depend
ent old grandfather, it was Carter
Aylesworth who submitted to shawls,
crutches and hot-water bags, If In
dams caught and tortured lone white
man to be rescued later By q husky
heru, Carter was the victim. If FAM
\ lily starved, he was right there in the
\ limellght. He was confidence man,
book agent, shyster, thief. Anything
that was altogether and entirely want
ing in glory.
Poor thingr" Miss Harriet sOlilO-
Qulzed at first,
But as time went on with no ithi
movement in the situations, she be-
came indignant. "Why can't they give
him a decent part sometimes? Couldn't
he save a baby from burning house,
or vent his righteous wrath on the
villain about to murder somebody by
hitting him with a club? 1t isn't fair
for them to let that conceited young
Fornsby have all the Monte Cristo
parts"
You know what they say that pity IL
akin to. Yes--lOve CAME next,
IF had that poor man, I'll bet I'd
increase his self-respect in about tive
days. It's Just because no one cares
about him or takes an interest that h'
has that meek, hangdOg look. / know
that II he had some of my mlnce pies
and spieed ham he would chirk UP &
bit"
She WAS solliOQuizihE thus one nigh
before time to go to the show. Thu
fishes were done and she was crochet
ing on the front porch.
Tommy jenkins cut across the stree
and up the path.
Miss Harriet, can you bake mother
another dozen rolls In the morning
We got some swell company toda!
and he's going to stay until tomorrow
evening"
"Sure, Tommy Wait a minute anC
> III give you a cookie. Who's the com
! panS1"
Il don't know. A fellah from New
York. think he came to see about {
house he wants to SELL"
The next day Miss Harriet was cut
ting out some biscuit when a hea'
darkened the window. Does Harrie
Longstreth still live heref" it asked.
"She does" affirmed Miss Harrie
and, looking up, she gave llttl
scream Of dlsmay, then paled and red
dened with embarrassment. Carte
AyleswOrth :" she gasped.