Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-05-25

NuOuus JOSEPH NANc&V

I blur of flesh-color shaded by a smile
of hateful mockery. her wits handi-
capped by panicky conviction that 1t
was all up nov with Linda Lee.
In another minute or two. every
body present must learn, by night
fall the studios would be sgog over
the news that Linda Lee was no less
a parsonage than Mrs. Bellamy
bruce.
All 1t once Lucinda discovered
how passionately her heart had be-
come implicated in this adventure.
To hear the inevitable verdict read
upon her career before 1t was fairl,
launched. Another screen-struck
society woman." were an sffront to
decent self-esteem by the side OF
which IL seemed a trivial matter that
Bellamy. no more her husband but
by the grace Of the fimsiest of civil
fictions, had caught her in the act Of
kissing another q
Notwithstanding, her cheeks were
hot, she experienced infinite vexa-
ton of the knowledge-she was
shaken by gusts OF irritation in
whose grasp she could almost with
out q qualm have murdered Bellamy
where he stood. II only to Quench
his g~raceless grin.
His gay salutation fell upon ears
incredulous.
How d'you do, Miss Lee. Don't
say you've forgotten me 30 soon!
bruce. You know. Bethany Druce-"
Don't be ridiculous. Bell"
Cant blame me for wondering
car you?-seeing the way you stare.
as IL I were a ghost"
nO- .-. - -.>-A
shocked into gasping conference by
this im%pudence. Il can't imagine a
greater surprise :"
II believe you. But think OF mine
L mean, Of course, my astonish-
ment."
Bel would have her hand. there
was no refusing him that open sign
Of friendship. There was nothing
she could do now but take his cues
as they fell, and treat the rencontre
Is n of the most welcome she had
ever experienced -.
But wherever did you bob up
from, Bel "
"From the east. naturally-last
nights train. Never saw a movie in
the making before. you know. Most
entertaining. Congratulate you and
Mr.. Summerlad on the way you
played your little scene just now.
Only for the camera over there I'd
have sworn YOU both meant It,"
Don't put too much trust in the
camera, Mr.. Druce," Summeriad in
terposed blandly. "Rumor to the
contrary Notwithstanding, the blame
thing has been known to lie"
"H'are you, Mr.. Summerlad?"
Bellamy met his impudence with ir-
resistible audacity. so we meet
again. Well. p~leasanter circum-
stances than last time. wnat?"
Conditions are what one makes
them. out here in California. I hope
you'll find the climate healthier
than Chicago's."
Trust me for that" Bellamy re-
torted in entire good humor. But,
1 say"-he glanced in feigned appre-
hension toward the ca;nera-"not
obstructing traffic, am II"
mo fear. or Jacques would've
bawled you out long ago."
"'Sright," Jacques averred, COM
ing forward to be introduced. "Alf
through for today. folks he called
back to the company. Les go!"
Anxious to see you. Linda, OF
course. and have a talk, some time
when you're not professionally en-
gagged" said Bel as they strolled to-
ward the machines.
you may call on me Friday,
Bel"
AT the Hollywood. of course.
Many thanks"
Bellamy was punctiliously gallant
about helping Lucinda and Fanny
into their car, then returned to his
own, wagging a cavalier farewell to
Summerlad as the latter sped away
with Jacques.
. They had been some lime under
way when Fanny broke in upon Lu-
cinda's meditations with an ecstatic
murmur: "Priceless!"
Lucinda came to with a frown.
I'm glad you think So" she said
shortly.
Don't be upstage. You know it's
priceless. Why didn't You tell me
YOUR Bel was such a lamb?"
He's not my Bel any more, and l
don't consider him a lamb"
Then I presume you've no objec-
ton TO my vamping him
But Lucinda was inattentive; she
had lapsed swiftly into an abstrac-
ton which had less to do with the
temperance of Bellamy than the
issue of the Summerlad affair. Moth
ing that had happened since had
served to erase the impression of
that first kiss, nothing conceivable
could seem half so momentous. The
presence of the camera had meant
nothing. they had kissed in earnest;
mute, her lips had confessed too
much. 1t remained only to be de-
termined whether or not Summerlad
had understood their message. If he
had, Lucinda well knew she was a
lost oma
She was possessed with a species
of rapturous alarm 49,.
XIII