, 1923-02-18

I'll pay the price. I know what IL
costs to succeed. and I'm willing"
e-red Tho WUmnn's Exchange at
home where women sold what they
made-painted china, hammered
brass, knit goods. cakes, and candles
Well, she would sell what God had
made Of her for what man might
MAXI of her.
At the studio she had met the cast.
Ing director. one day when the com.
missary was crowded with stars in
their painted faces and gauLy robes
aud with extra people portray'ng
Turks. Japanese, farmers. ranchers,
ballet dancers, society women, Mex.
leans. He had been introduced to
her as Mr.. Arthur Tirrey when lie
asked II he might take the vacant
sent at the table where she sat with
Leva and another girl.
He was ar aminble and laughing
person with an i~noffens've gift oc
iattery. When he learned that all
the girls worked in the laboratory
projection room, he Ind exclaimed:
"WhY waste yourselves in hat coal
cellar? III put you all in the next
picture"
The others had not taken him seri-
uusly. Indeed. they had no ambi-
ton to be photographed. Mem had
often wondered at the numbers of
pretty women she knew who had no
desire to have their pictures pub
lished. 1t balanced somewhat the
horde Of unpretty women who had IA
passion for the camera.
After the lunch she had learned
who Mr.. Tirrey was and what the du-
ties were OF a casting director. II
vas he who said to this one or that
one, Here Is u part; play 1t, and
the company will give you SO much
Il week"
He was the st. Peter Of the movie
heaven. empowered to admit or to
deny. He was the man for her to
seek. He Ind seemed n decent enough
man, and he haC looked at Mem with
out inso.ence. But you could never
tell. Mrs. Sturgs had It on the best
authority that the only way to sue
cess in the movies was-'the easiest
way"
Nom took a street car home. She
WIS glad to find the house empty.
Leva and the others were out on a
canyon hike, dressed in high boots
ard riding breeches and Drawing the
perils Of rattiesnakes as well as the
frlghtful men who lurked in the
th'ckets or who sprang out Of mo-
tors md kidnapped women every now
and then.
Mem pondered the costume appro.
pirate to her new errand. She was
going to lure Lucifer, and h was
afraid that he would be too sophisti
Gated for her. But her problem was
solved for her by its simplicity. She
had only one very pretty gown, so
she put that IN.
She studied herself a long while
In the mirror. since her eyes and
her smile must be her chief ward
robe. her siren equipment. She prac-
ticed such expressions as she sup
posed to represent invitation, They
were silly and they made her rather
IL. The face in her glass was 30
ashen and 80 miserable that she Dor
rowed some of Leva's warmest face
powder; and smeared her mouth
crudely with the REQ lip stick.
It was a long journey to the studio
with three transfers OF street car.
She reached the lot late IN the after
noon, just before the companies were
dismissed and tho department forces
released.
The gatekeepers knew her. smiled
at her. and let c in. She went to
the casting directors office and
found him idly swapping stories with
his assistant. He spoke to her cour'
teously, n when she asked If she
might SEQ him a moment he motiOued
her into his office. gave her a chair
closed the door. and took his own
place bohln6. his desk.
The telephone rang. He called
into IT: Sorry, Miss Waite; that part
has been filled. Tho company could
not make our salary. I begged you
to take the cut. but o wouldn't.
Times are hard and you'd better
listen to reason. You'd have had four
weeks OF good money, and now you'll
walk. Take my advice next time.
old dear. and don't haggle over sal
nry. All right. Sorry. Good
by
a parley with a direcorw: ktctetetet
He turned to Mem and started to
speak. The telephone j.ngled. lie had
q parley with a director who could