Evening star., 1925-05-14
One of a series of the
years best short
stories.
THE Isaiah" company was on loca

THE Isaiah" company was on loca-
ton In the Mojave Desert. There
an immense, II iimsy. Babylon reared
It's painted walls and its hanging
gardens high toward a staring heaven
Some twelve hundred persons were
camped about in houses, huts and
tents. Arab horses were tethered by
the hundred under canvas. Scores Of
tattered eamels lay bumped upon the
sand, munching in placid disdain. AL
ready. at $50. IN the morning, the
camp hustled with activity. Syrians
and Babylonians were passing to and
from the eating hut. Spearheads and
scimitars glinted in the sun. Camera
men In rakish caps hurried about.
Assistant directors consulted note.
books. Carpenters and property men
moved deliberately in the direction OF
the sets. chattering and picking their
teeth. Continuity writer's and violin
lists waited, over near the big set
In the main hut near the eating
house Sylvester Drake sat bowed over
his solitary coffee. head on hands A
much.thumbed script lay on the table
beside the cup. From time to time
he turned the last few pages over and
back, huttering intently. At a knock
he glanced wearfly UP and called
Come in.'
Sybil Strange, already costumed and
made UP, opened the door and slipped
within.
"oh. say. syb. you shouldn't come
in here"'
Listen. Sylvy-''
But damn 1t, il you're seen coming
out OF here in the morning-and you
Will be seen--"
It's all right. Dr. Southern knows
I've come for you: Aren't you going
to say good morning."
Well, yes, of course. But
Careful OF my makeup.
Listen. sylvy: I've been in to see him"
He isn't dead. them"
NO. He isn't dead. He's nat of
course. Reading his funny little
Testament, though. He wants to see
you. And DIR. Southern thought you'd
better come.'
"Of course. it had to happen this
way. Why, I could finish up with him
in two days more. Wed be all set.
And he has to go and get sunstroke.
My God, 1 could weep
1t wasn't a sunstroke It's heat
exhaustion. The doctor says there's
d1nerence. His pulse is strong.
And he hasn't much fever. He's aw-
fully weak, OF course. And he's been
pretty ILL., The only danger is his
age"
His age? Know, but he's at lea
a hundred and sixv'
No, IL. And wonderfully well pre-
served. He's never drunk. ANYTHING.
you see, or even smoked. OF course,
It's true that he may die. The whole
thing has been strain for him.
Sylvy, l was with him all night"
NOW, look here, kid, you know you
shouldn't do. that. You're all in, your.
self. I'm all In, FOR that matter. Oh.
Lord, why did ever go into pictures.
ltil klu me yet. Tell you one thing.
'Syb. II we ever do finish this Job and
gets sort Of picture, we'll run up
10 frisco IN the car, you and I, and
put on one awful week. I'm for
crime, myself
Inc peautiful young woman knit her
proWs In a puzzled manner. Per.
haps." she said softly.
Perhaps nothing. It's date
1ou'd better come, Sylvy."
Mnal does he want? Witnesses
for his. will? He can't play. Isaiah,
can nsE-~Looks-hke total wreckage to
me. on, III bluff it through some.
now, now, OF course, Maybe IN put whis-
and wind up with soft-focus long
-snot. But-the final closeup viii be
gone. And his big scene with YOU
and Jim Haley. Gone, All gone,
without that beautiful, stern face!
You see, dear, I was going to iris out
| Miss Strange stamped a small foot
Please come, Sylvy!''
You slip out first. tn coma .lon.
In minute."s
NO; I don't feel like sneaking
i Syb?" 'ou' any ways
Notnlng, but Oh. don't care
how IT looks. Come on with me,
They found the venerable man
rropped up on pillows on his cot. The
woodbound Testament was in his
nano. ne had slipped a finger within
It to mark his place.. DR.. southern
bowed quietly, stepped aside for them.
and then moved out into the glare Of
the desert sun just beyond the door
way.
4 ft.a,y. A.. -