The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1918-09-19
THE PICTURES
sy COLLIN g COLLINS.

you don't want to stay for the
pictures, do your asked Laura In the
tone Of one who expects the answer to
be "No.-
Beth blushed. She took a childish
delight In motion pictures. but from
the chatter about her. she gnthered
that II was considered childish TO SIT
through the whole performance. Her
cousin Laura seemed TO regard the
taste for vaudeville itself ruther In
dicatlve Of elementary development.
do you mindr' Beth asked timId.
~. They're Gre department pictures"
With n shrug OF her shoulder. her
cousin settled back In the seat as the
lights went out and the FIRST picture
was thrown on the screen. The prop
erty man and his fellows on the stage
supplied the changing Of the bells and
the screech Of the whistles and TO
Beth n was all very real. Then the
street with its engines vanished from
the screen to be replaced hy q con-
trastlng picture OF three nremen sit.
ting In quarters engaged In q game of
cards. Their fad<s were large enough
to show the play bf expression and the
audience shrieked at the pantomlmic
humor.
But Beth had leaned forward and
was looking eagerly at the screen. Lau-
ra tugged at her skirt. but the giri did
not realize II. There upon the screen
wns Thad Burnham. She was sure OF
II. The picture changed again and she
sank back into her seat quivering in
every muscle.
Rapidly she explained TO Laura how
Thad had gone away from home, how
his letters had stopped and his mother
could end no trace Of hrm. "Hls moth
er's heart is breaking for him" she
declared. II must find him and tell
him 10 write home"
She left her seat and with trembling
limbs started up the aisle. Laura fol-
lowing her country cousin curiously.
An usher directed her 20 the balcony
where the machine was operated. and
she waited until the operator had en-
ished.
He could give her little information
other than 20 furnish her with the ad-
dress Of the hrm which had taken the
pictures. she could scarcely walt until
the next morning TO continue her
search, and she started Immediately
after breakfast with n male cousin az
an escort.
The manager was courteous and
seemed TO take an interest In her
quest. The pictures had been made In
town. he explained. aud he gave her
the number and address OF the engine
company. II WIS far uptown. but she
could not rest aud la n short time she
stood In front 81 the tiny desk beside
the glittering engine.
rs Mr. Eurnham. a fireman. heref'
she asked with trembling voice. The
man In blue shook his head.
''Topsmy Burnham r. with seven
truck" be explained.
Il am looking for Thadwlck Burn
ham," she explained. "He was Photo
rriphed here for some motion pie !
tures.~
"wlckes. Roe aud Casey posed for
that picture" he declared ''You mean
thlsr'
lie took down from the wall small |
framed photograph. evidently an en-
largenent of the picture film.
That's Thad." she cried I'm sure
Of H."
''can Roe down." commanded a voice
behind her. The fireman sprang 20
salute and Beth turned 10 faee a kind
y faced man with gold instead OF sill
yer buttons. and crossed trumpets on
his cap front
stand where you will be In the
light" directed the newcomer. as ne
stepped Into the background. Wonder
lngly she obeyed his directions as Ia
answer 10 the call a man same sliding
down the brass pole.
Before she could speak be had
iurned around and came toward her.
Hello. Beth he cried ~where did
gou come fromT
~Whnt Is your namef demanded
he battalion chief. Instinctively the
mans hand went 10 salute. and he
gave a puzzled laugh.
-lt's Durham" he said. -yr' knr'r
'm called Roe. What's the maIIerf'
~Y0u remember the lane street fire
n the shop where you wos 'ei.' sug-
:ested the chief. Thad nodded -Iiut
Tou forgot that In jumping 10 the net
I0u fell short and struck on your head.
When you came out 0f the hospital
lou had forgotten Who you were
Il remember now" Thad exclaimed
The boys were Interested In me and
sept me going until l could get In the
apartment. You gave me Richard
Roe for a name. ehF'
Il saw you In the pictures az the
heater." Beth explained. Il knew IL
gas you"
(which Is more than / did" he
aughed. -rve been some one else for
learly a year now. Is mother"
Beth nodded. as his voice faltered
she is alive" she ASSURED ~but very
onssome. She thinks you are dead
The chief stepped forward I'm
,oing up 10 see the foreman he said
lrfSkfiy ~Put Ia your application for