Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-20
The
LOVE STORY
of a
MOVIE STAR
CHAPTER XXyI

pUT l was not dropped, after all.
for Roland had no further use for me.
But a Mr.. Clay, a feeble and gentle
man, one of the directors, allowed me
to play trilling parts-mcre "super"
work-for which l drew about two dol =
lars day. Black days, those, SO
near to Roland. so far away from him I.
Never further than then!
May 30.
I hardly know how It came about.
but some months later, Roland began
to notice me again. He would stop
and nod and smile; he would pause to
ask me how l was getting along. Be-
sides, my acting was beginning to i'm
prove. and Mr.. Clay was warm in my
defense. Finally, Mr.. Clay gave me n
fairly good part, and carried it off
with spirit. The vote was the high
est of the evening. The manager him
self congratulated me. And Roland
stopped me in the hall to shake hands
and commepd me.
! There" he said. Now, you're
showing yourself" ~
The following week. he cast me for a
good part in one of his own films. and
soon | was working for him rcgu-
larly.
His whole attitude changed. and l
was made aware that he was falling in
love with me. But | see now what in
finite tact he used, how carefully he
worked with what restraint and pa
thence he made his advances / have n
Shrewd suspicion that he never could
forget that l had almost murdered
Beaver Face.
During the autumn we had several
little condolences. He loved to talk his
plans over with me; to sit in his office
and dope out coming plays. and |
was always eager and proud to help
nm.
And then, one Saturday he asked me
II l would walk along the cliffs of the
Hudson with him on Sunday afternoon.
| was ovcrjoycd. I met him at the
ferry, and we went across the river.
We climbed the long hill; we passed
down the leaf carpcted paths in the
autumn woodland. Now and then the
bold sky looked in from the East, and
we had glimpse of New York, shin
ing on its hills, white city over the
waters. And we went on, near each
other. wandering slowly, lost in a
sweetness OF intimacy and low-voiced
talk.
He went over his next weeks plans
in some detail. He seemed heavens
away from love- -making-until we came
to little pond among the turning
leaves. and the falling leaves, and the
leaves that had fallen.
One old maple leaned over that pool.
and he paused beside it. and poked ur
dead leaves with his cane. called his
attention to the beauty of the pool
sky still under trees and skies, deer
win the co!ors of the woodland, hushec
as mind at peace, that reflects ant
hoidS the world
Yes" he murmurcd. "if only OH
minds our hearts could be like that !"
The poetry of this thrilled me. III,
lowered above me. in one human shape
all ! adored, all rcvorenced He wat
my falth IN life. ! believed now in lf'
and IN love, because ! believed in him
! stood trembling The woods were
very quiet; we seemed lost in ia,
WlIuerhess' where no city marched, anC
mere was no care, no toll, no bitter
ness Sottly the leaves fell upon us
a rev plrds nuted' The pool lay still
Nel1a ne sald-Hnd the yer!
Souhu OF MS voice stabbed me! "Nella
~ seems years since l wanted to sa!
soihethlhs 10 you
turned llttIe toward him. H
turned ana looked az me. | could no
pea pear ns ms eyes, ana glanced down. TheI
nG reaGheu ana TOOK my hands, drop
PING ..yom nnS Gon,t cane .,uo,,, ,..., ,.,,