Evening star., 1923-05-13
Cd MCQUEEN. utility actor for
the Quadrangle Motion Pic
ture Company, was low in
his mind.


preston was Cor were) his pants
They were made of some sort OF
fiimsy cotton cloth. they were a
flaming red. they bagged down over
his knees, and were caught there
with bands. one Of which was elastic
and the other which was secured by
safety pin that. in moments of
stress. had a trick Of opening and
burying itself in the Mcqueen calf
Even as the pants of an Algerian
soldier. waiting call to attack an
English consulate made of paste
board and scantling, which stood
few rods away, they were discredit-
able.
Rod was new man on the Quad
lot. He had to admit that the life
of a motion picture actor had GER
tain points over existence as mule
skinner for desert boraX company
but none of them would have been
strong enough to lure him into those
red pants had it not been for the fact
of Ann Lusk.
Ann herself. in a costume a good
deal like Rods own, was selling
cigarettes in a ssilded Algerian cafe
submitting herself to gross insults
from Il group of tourists. The idea
was to establish in the picture the
character of the tourists, but Ann.
being small. timid and gently reared.
could never quite get thoroughly
into her head the fact that such at
fronts were ali part of the days
work as minor player In Quad
company, and she famed and cringed
at every thrust. This, Of course, was
exactly what Duke BasSett, the di-
rector. wanted her to do; her perfect
unsophistication was her distinguish
ing charm and Bassett knew that.
given time he could make a star of
her and catch for himself, quite
properly. some of the glory that star
would then reflect. So when she
shrank back and colored and nearly
dropped her tray Of cigarettes every
time a man spoke sharply or insult
ingly to. her. Duke Bassett. I'd near
the camera. would rub his hands and
whisper to Curly Eileen, his camera
man:
Look at that Lusk kid. will you?
She's Knockout
When the men taunted her she
cringed and when she cringed Rod
McQueen's fists knotted and his
muscles tensed and lie had to hold
himself to keep from going to Bat
and knocl ing somebody fo- Il three
bagger Ihis enforced self-c1ntrol.
coupled with the thought of his
pants. finally compelled him to with
draw from the immediate vicinity of
the action and to seat himself N a
auiet alley on the lot. where he
could avoid witnessing AIMS hunili-
ations and at the same time refastcn
that safetypin.
It's long road that has no speed
con-" he communed, half aloud
as much better than most of these
pretty-faced skirts around here than
I am worse than that star. Malot'e.
but you don't expect anybody in this
game to know anything. Why would
you?"
You wouldn't" disagreeabie
voice growled in his ear. How am
going to cut nineteen thousand
feet out of Won Markets last en-
cyclopedia with you sitting under my
window shooting the scenery full OF
half-baked ideas? Did somebody
give you a permit to sit there or
something"
Rod looked up into the pleasantest
and cherriest face Imaginable.
When you talk like that, man.,
Rod observed. evenly. you'd ought
to do it with your mouth twisted to
one side. Do you expect me to be-
lieve what you say or what you smile?
Who are you?" the man in the
window demanded harshly, with a
grin.
II believe I'm Pistachio Bologna.
Just now In my right clothes I'm Rod
Mcqueen"
Mcqueen? No. there's some mis-
take. l guess. With a name like that
you couldn't be any chance be the
sort of person who'd crave a small
portion of Intoxicating liquor. of
course"
NO" Rod replied. solemnly. Not
a small portion. Less than a full
sized drink only gives me lock-jaw."
Come in. then. I'll see If I can
find a quart cup. ] never like to
drink alone
II Cd arose with alacrlty, and as he
IN did so something ripped. At the
same moment two girls came around
a corner of the alley, gossiping and
laughing. Rods face turned the
color of his pants and he plunged into
the hospitable door behind him pre-
cipitately.
so help me Johnny Walker." he
cried. I've busted loose some
where's. Take a squint. will you,
neighbour"
The man with the surly voice and
the winning smile did as requested:
two more safety pins and a piece of
copper wire made all taut again. They
had their drinks, with solemnity of
mien. Then Rod Mcqueen relaxed.
I'm new to this great moral and
uplifting business here" he said; land
I haven't got my range yet If you
Amt trying to keep it dark, would
you give me an idea of what you are
called by those that know you well?"
Burke" his host responded. sourly.
"Jerry Burke"
"Um-m-m. From the name I'd say
you were Algerian. too"
yes. Folks come from Cork, Al
giers."
my dad was a Cork man himself.
You don't remember hearing your
folks speak Of the Mulcahy family
that lived two doors from the corner.
do your"
"The Mulcahys? Kate and Pat
Mulcahy? Sure I do. Put her there!
Well. we'll, It's a small world. isn't
ifS Now Uhaf was If Won were veil