Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-28
The
LOVE STORY
of a
MOVIE STAR

TT WAS three days after | came here
l. that the excitement began. | cant
really say that l was happy. Coming
here had been great relief. l had
found a place in the world again. But
! still carried with me, in my heart,
that "sobbing something" (Bah. what
a phrase But ! cant think of bet
ter !)-.that desperation and ache. and
yearning. Yes. that still swept over
me like n wave. threatening to drown
me; bitter thing. that made me wild.
Not the wrong he had done me, not the
faith he had broken, but my unqucnch-
able desire for him, and my longing
and my hope that somehow he would
come to me again, that any day l might
see him once more. And then. would
outstretched arms!
hated myself for my weakness. while
acknowledging it.
1t was on the third day that H
sent for me. ! mounted the little iron
staircase. and climbed to the upper floor
where he had delightful cubby hole
L
girlS-and one of them was Laurie
Lawson.
H turned from his desk as en-
tered.
Good morning" he said. II don't
know whether you will be interested,
but--have seat
l sat down. We all waited. ! was
conscious that Laurie Lawson was
watching me maiciously. and | turned
my head away. Then l noticed that
Il was troubled. He picked up his
script and glanced at it, then cooked
his head little.
I'm up tree he said. 'for I've
got scene here that involves real dan
ger. It's not the sort that ! like to
take, becaucse I don't think we have
any real right to demand any one 8
putting himself in actual peril"
He paused and looked at US all little
helplessly. =,
the scene: Lizett Is the station mas
ters daughter. She has lover, Ben,
who insists on coming to see her by
way of the long trestle that spans the
river. She is in constant fear lest
the express will run him down some
day, for he always comes when his
work is over at o'clock. and the ex
press is due shortly after that hour
! They have had several quarrcls over the
matter.
But every day Lizcttc goes to the
trCStle to watch for him. Finally, ono
day, when he is just about halfway
across. he waves to her as usual In
watching for her to wave back, hC
makes n misstcp. falls through, anC
breaks his ankle. lie falls in heap
The express is coming in the distance
Get the pointT'
We got it, ! had mental picture al
once of Roland falling in a heap-tht
lover for whom ! was waiting so long
so long-and | scrambling across tn,
/ trestle, lifting him. getting his arm
about my neck, and dragging him over
the ties. Nearer and nearer came the
express! Could we make the bank ir
safety? Then. confusion. and we roll
| ing down the embankment. Per
! haps- I was thrilled. I sat breath
less, my fists clcnched.
You see" he went on. its rea
risk. So I'm not going to cast any
one for that part. Instead, I'm going
to ask for volunteers. Who'll do it?"
There was absolute silence. The girls
looked at one another. Two of then
smiled. Il looked at Laurie.
"Of course, the part belongs to you
Miss Lawson, if you want il. But
won't feel at all hurt If you refuse It,
That was fair.
"Wcll," said Laurie, II cant "a,
it appeals to me-
VERY WE'LL" he said. "Who then p
! waited, my hands clenched. Neither
of the other girls spoke. Then I muir.
INJURED under my breath:
II will"
He glanced at me sharply, slowl.
smiling,
IAN right" he said. well 20 ou
this afternoon. Wear country dress
a sunbonnet over your arm.
Laurie Lawson gave me a glance, al
she passed me on the way out of tb,
room, that was probably meant /,
break my heart, But since it was al
ready broken, no damage was done.
Well, l gloated all through thos,
hours of waiting positively gloated.
hoped l would be killed | was in ,
daredevil frame of mind and thrilled /,
think that / was going straight into tn
path OF IN oncoming train, had not
l realized afterward, taken the maj
who was to play Ben into considera
ton. 81 -. E'
! To Be Continued Tomorrow