Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-02-28
StarHgh 7
BY the Noted Author
IDAH M'GLONE GIBSON
A Realistic Rehearsal

into Theodore Stratton's face.
Were Theodore's words and feel
ings just acting? 4 felt that
should find the answer in his
eyes. II it was all merely part
of this Land of Make-Believe /
| felt that I should die. When the
love-making in my eyes met his
they met an answering fire
the fire which had caught my
soul.
I was brought back to earth by
the enthusiastic words Of the d.
rector.
you three are some little trio!
If you keep on acting
as well as you have in rehearsal
this film has a fortune in it. 1
was afraid the little girl couldn't
deliver, but, by Jove, she is run
ming both of you close second" !"
glanced surreptitiously at
Maud Samson. Her face seemed
entirely changed. Gone from her
lips was the cold little smile that
habitually lay there. Her eyes
were pinpoints of greenish light.
Theo glanced at her, too, seem
ingly with understanding. A
queer little look moved over her
face. Some acting, wasn't it,
| Maud? he inquired.
The director interrupted him:
"Just let me tell you, Stratton,
that Maud Samson did some act
ing, too. You were too busy with
your part to pay much attention
to her, but never saw a woman
register jealousy so splendidly.
Again the same queer gray
veil dropped down over Theo's
face.
We'll take it this time. Plac-
| es!" continued the director.
l felt my body glow at the
thought of once more feeling
Theodore Stratton's arms about
me. l was afraid that l couldn't
keep from my eyes look of eager
anticipation and l was glad that
l faced away from the camera.
Now, Stratton! Turn quick
ly, Doris!" He didn't have to give
any more directions, for as Theo
gltded toward me and seated him
self beside me, with his eyes
looking deeply into mine, turned
to him just as naturally as a
flower to the sun.
'It Is true that you love me"
Subtitle, Stratton!" broke in the
director.
Theo spoke into the camera
Just as the director yelled: "Now,
Miss SAMSON, come on. Arms
about Stratton's neck, Doris.
Raise your eyes soulfully to his
You know how; push him back
a little. Title, Stratton: Child
1 know l am older than you are.'
Up go your arms around his neck
again, Doris. Then forward,
Maud. Remember, you are watch
ing him. Now, Doris, your sub
title: Love is ageless, changeless.
l only know 1 love you
Ny mind was in a tumult.
Wild thoughts raced through my
brain. Did ever a girl have such
a wonderful love-making before?
To think that into her mouth
was put the words that her heart
was beating over and over. To
think that she could, unashamed
before the world, tell a man that
she loved him until her very being
| forgot to reason.
"Cut!" Move your cameras
up" ordered the emnipresent di-
rector. Maud, we'll take the close
up of you and then you can run
along to lunch while we are TAX
ing close-ups of the others"
Theodore Stratton moved away
as though he was going to lun-
cheon at that moment. felt
weak and sank on the bench be-
fore which l was standing. 1t
brought me into a direct line
with Maud Sanson's eyes. There
saw hate that was murderous
in its intensity.
The camera clicked suddenly,
at the word: Cut! Here, Stratton
where are you going?"
ITO get a sandwich" he re-
| piled tersely.
You don't need sandwich.
Come back here and let's get the
closeup of that scene. Maud, you
can go to lunch if you want to.
You've certainly been doing some
wonderful acting. too. never
have seen better"
Maud Samson gave the director
a grateful glance as she passed
off the set. l couldn't keep my
eyes off of her, but it was all i'm
mediately forgotten when, before
the cameras staring eye, Theo
and l went through our love scene
again.
1T will be desecration to show
these scenes to the world" said
Theo softly. And for the first
time l realized that everybody,