The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-08
EVENING STORY
A Touch of Temperament.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

VINCENT
Ronald Adair, better known as Rich |
ard Stevens, dramatic actor, put down
his hand mirror with an exclamation
of relief He had his makeup on to
satisfy his director this time. he was
sure. 1t was the first time he had
made UP his face successfully for the
camera for it was so different from
the makeup for the footlights that 1t
was like learning something entirely
new. If everything about moving-pic-
ture acting was to be as hard as the
makeup, he was sorry ne nad lot
saken the stage for the silent drama,
but then the tempting salary that had \
been used as an inducement for him
to sign a contract to star in feature
photoplays, was worth little ineon-
venience.
I'm all ready" he announced. as
his director appeared at his dressing
room doorway. Now to do or die"
I'm afraid you'll have to die" the
director smiled wistfully. The star
has taken a fit of temperament and
absolutely refuses to go in scene
with you. She has never seen you, but
has taken a dislike to you from a pic
ture she saw of you in a Shylock cos
tune She went to her home some
place out of the city last night. 1t
has tied things up for goodness knows
how long"
she must be crazyl" Adair ex-
claimed.
mo, she's. far from it. She's been
overtaxed, tho, lately, and l wouldn't
be surprised if this is the first symp-
tom of a nervous breakdown"
"She couldn't be a fitting type for
the part of the girl in that script you
have for me or she wouldn't behave
like this"
You don't know Geraldine Lewis or
you wouldn't say that" the director
80 % h0
of the big stars soon" Geraldine was
evidently a favorite, SO Ronald re-
Trained from expressing his opinion of
her.
Charles Dixon. the director, and
Ronald, spent the rest of the day
looking over the other available stars
and extra girls, but couldn't find one
they could agree on as being suitable
for the part. There was nothing for
it, apparently. but to wait until Ger
aldine Lewis came to her senses. Inc
| fear of losing a renewal of her con-
! tract would have some effect, likely.
The prospect of a holiday was not
an unpleasant one, especially as there
was some business in the country that
Ronald had to attend to. His father
had left him some property in the vii
/ lage of Windslide and it had been in
the hands of the village lawyer SO
| long that it needed looking after. If
there was any way of turning it into
cash, Ronald was going to find 1t, and
| he motored to the village with this
| object in view.
| After registering at the hotel, he
| lost no time in seeking the lawyer. He
| expected to find notice on that gen.
| tleman's door announcing that he had
gone on fishing expedition, but this
| village lawyer was different from the
dramatized version of village lawyers.
and was l.. his office and was more
| over engaged with a client. As Ronald
| waited in the little outer office he
| could r woman's melodious
| opened and the lawyer, Mr.. William
Scruggins, came out followed by one
of the prettiest girls Ronald had ever
had the pleasure of seing. Scruggins.
apparently, was escorting her to the
| door, but she had no intentions of
| going before she finished her argu-
ment to her satisfaction.
my mother paid that mortgage
before she died. and with money
sent her, I tell you again. Mr.. Scrug-
gins" she said. Il won't pay it again
if I have to bring the biggest lawyer
ford to do it, I'll have you to under
stand.'
81 don't care whom you bring"
| Scruggins chirped in his cracked old
voice. THE mortgage isn't paid and
no more is the interest I'll forcclose
paid within thirty days.
Ronald stepped forward at the
mention of his name. II am Mr..
Adafr. Does this young lady's claim
concern meg"
Scruggins stepped back in surprise
tunity of putting her case before Ron
aid. Her name was Hilda Moore. She
had been raised in Windslide and had
gone to the city and made a success of
the profession she had undertaken.
She had sent her mother money to
pay off the mortgage on her old home
and had seen the receipt signed by
Scruggins. But somehow the receipt
had been lost after her mothers death
and now when she had returned 20
spend vacation at her old home she
was threatened with being turned out
Miss Moore had made sure Scrug-
gins could not get a word in edge
ways and before he could get in his
side of the story. Ronald ended 1t by
saying: 81 think there has been some
mistake. so I will sign the receipt for
you myself. Miss Moore
"Oh, thank you," she beamed. "It
isn't just because of the money, for
luckily.I have plenty. but don't want
to be beaten by that man. Men have
been causing me enough trouble
After Ronald had satisfactorily es-
tablished his identity and the proper
papers had been made out, he offered
to drive Miss Moore home in his car
She accepted his offer. AS they
skinned over the country roads he
had an opportunity to survey the girl
! beside him. She was almost the pref
test girl he had ever seen. Her con-
verSation was not artificial and he
found her most interesting person.
able to talk on the subjects he cared
for most. and never once speaking of
| herself.
The people of the studio had his ad-
dress and would wire him when Ger
aldine Lewis came back. He called at
the telegraph office every morning Cor
the expected message, but it did not
come. Miss Moore and he became