The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-20
Eoening Story
Movie Stars.
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS

famous thruout many lands for Myra
was one of those stars that twinkled
the length and breadth of FINLAND.
At the other end of the wire, young
Lord Gerald Rollins turned away with
words that would permit an entire
movie company to encamp in his Won
derful ancestral home duringPthe en-
tire summer months. But Lord Ger
aid had been badly done during the
war and money was scarce in his
tweed pockets. He thrust his hands,
that now seemed SO utterly incapable.
deep into these empty pockets and
hoped the young movie manager and
star with whom he had finished speak
ing might prove not too rowdy. They
were paying him a tremendous sum
for the use of his ancestral home and
the run of the entire estate SO Lord
Gerald felt somewhat reconciled to the
tragedy of having to rent out. as it
were, his home to a moving picture
company.
England had never looked more
beautiful nor the gardens of Hill Hall
more enchanting when the large COM
pany, bag and baggage, drew up under
the vast gates and brought huge tour
ing cars to a stop.
Lord Gerald was out on the porch
to watch the arrival. 1t was all so
new to him that he felt himself taking
q huge interest in the proceedings
Also, being a man and not in any way
blind to feminine beauty, he discover
ed straightway that az least three of
the company were most alluring as to
appearance.
Then, out of a great black touring
car stepped Myra. Lord Gerald caught
a swift breath. The little American
movie star was exquisite to a degree
quite disconcerdng. She came up to
him with frankly curious eyes.
You are Lord Rollins. aren't
you ?" she questioned, while her wide,
Intelligent eyes appraised and passed
splendid Judgment on him, we are so
glad to get here and are all weary
every one of u.s." including her en-
tire company in glance; but your
estate is wonderful-quite beyond my
meager power of~expression''
You will. all appreciate a cup of
tea? Lord Gerald suggested, and led
the way, into the great hall. with its
fine collection of rare old paintings;
then Perkins will show you your
rooms"
Myra was gloating over the mag
nificent interiors that would soon
grace her pictures and more than the
interiors was she admiring the we'll
poised, manly figure of her host
Lord Rollins she said. with char
acteristic frankness, "if 1 could find a
leading man like you for my hero 1
would pay him a thousand dollars a
week. You are the living image of the
lover in my stcry-at least the very
type 1 want"
Lord Rollins was SO completely
taken aback that the dull color mount
ed to his brown hair.
1t was Myra's whole-hearted laugh
that gave him back his poise. The
glance from her merry eyes added the
finishing touch.
He scarcely recognized his own
voice nor his own sudden leap into q
world hitherto unknown to traditional
groove.
Topping salary. I say. Miss Daw-
son, would be an awful dub at act
ing?"
Lord Rollins!" cried myra swiftly,
''if you would consent to act with me
in a series of five pictures. and per-
haps more, 1 will make the salary
three thousand a week. I shall want
to advertise" she added. your name
will be worth as much as your-man-
ner," she finished with her first touch
Of shyness-
The die Is cast" laughed Lord Roll
Inns boyishly. and put out a too white
hand-the war had left him a bit deli
cate.
The tea cart arrived, well laden with
thin bread and butter, Devonshire
cream and strawberries. The situation
Istraightway became normal, for every
one drifted in from various doorways,
famished for tea.
Lord Rollins never forgot that first
tea party when, under his ancestral
roof. the entire Myra Dawson film
company partook happily and whole
somely of his hospitality.
Myra was constantly on the alert for
scenes, and the conversation jumped
at random from English springtime to
American skyscrapers. but ever and
anon Lord Rollins found that his eyes
were meeting the pair of brilliant ones
belonging to Myra.
Topping summer this will be-" he
found himself thinking. and for the
first time since a bursting shell had
flung him face downward on the bat
tiefield Lord Rollins felt the warm
blood dancing thru his body with the
sheer JOY of being alive.
He proved neither a wonderful nor
yet a too bad movie actor. His move
ments whom under the scrutiny of
Myra were a bit stilted, but she was
most encouraging and spiendidly help
full Working with her was pleasure
far beyond any Lord Rollins had ex-
perienced. The novelty. the excite
ment and the occasional delightful
love scenes thru which he acted with
Myra all helped to lead him back to
the old-time health and strength.
It was during the third reel of their
second play, when, as per direction. he
fair heroine's cheek. that Lord Roll
Inns spoke not reel but real love words
II love you, Myra." he said, while
the cameraman kept winding; II have
never loved any one before-you VIII
marry me-dear2"
II love you. too" Myra told him
softly, and her cheek turned more
closely to the hero's. but I cannot
be the wife of an English lord. I am
of very common birth, dear Ny peo-
10 = living
The entire company seemed sud
denly to have drifted in and taken up
front row positions as IL seeming
romance, spelled with big r.
Dear heart" the young lord con-
tiuued unconscious OF the interest of
the audience. you are talking utter
NONSENSE love you-love you-"
The crowd of players waited breath
lessly.
Myra turned then and looked