Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1925-09-10

Wtllc. Dan mlgnt come Tor a MN
ute or two, and I'd hate to miss
him." Carlotta said as she kissed
her goodnight.
''It's so nice to have you here
with me, May dear" she added as
an after-thought.
But Dan did not come.
May knew that the next morning
by the droop of Carlotta's mouth
and the weary look in her red-rim-
med eyes.
She did not mention him, but her
heart was filled with pity for the
tragic little woman when she left
he ralonc in the bungalow, and
started out for Lemuel Fishback's
location" in the foothills beyond
the town.
'The Rose OF Spain" was being
filmed in the very shadow of the
Santa Cruz mountains, on tiny
hillock a mile out from Los Altos.
AS Mays taxicab jolted along to-
ward the little clump of shacks that
had been hurriedly built there, her
eyes searched for the Buddha-like
figure of Lemuel Fishback.
Before the cab had stopped she
saw him sitting on a camp-chair
fairly overlooking from it in all his
lax fairness. Beside him, lolling on
the ground, with the worlds high
est-salaried movie actresses, Serena
Smith, CARRIED in the romantic cos
tune of old Spain.
May recognized her the minute
she saw her. recognized the
famous nose, the large light eyes,
and the smile that had beamed from
dozens of films in the last few
years.
She saw the actress glance from
Fishback to her, and back again to
Fishback, as she came near them,
over the rough ground.
"How do you do, Mr.. Fishback, d"
May said to him cordially, holding
out her hand.
But Fishback did not see her
hand, apparently He looked ner-
vously at Serena Smith before he
greeted May with a brief "How d'ya
do?" 1t was obvious that he was
afraid to be too cordial before
Serena Smith.
With great difficulty he got to
his feet, and wrinklod his brow per-
pIexedly.
Lets see. you're the girl ]
want for my Duchess" he said, rub
bing his fat nose with his fat FORE
finger "Aren't you?"
May admitted that she was.
"What do you mean for your
duchess'?" Serena Smith suddenly
asked in thin metallic voice.
"Mickey's done all the casting for
this picture. He gave Lois Lever
ich the part Of the duchess"
Fishback turned and stared at her
for moment, then put his\hands up
to his mouth and beloved,
Mickey
The figure of tall, fair man in
khaki appeared almost at once in
the doorway of one of the little
houses a few yards away. With his
ewes on the ground he came slowly
toward them, kicking stone out Of
his path with great fcrocity as he
came.
This was Mickey Moran, the ia
nous director, man with the soul
OF an artist and the manners of a
ward heeler.
"Wbat you want?" he asked surly
of Fishback, and raising blazing
blush eyes. Seen thus, he was eX-
tremely good looking, May observed
Under his fiery gaze. Lemuel
Fishback seemed to wither.
"See, Mickey, what you've done"
he said with a pathetic attempt at
bravery. "Given the part of the
duchess to that Lois Leverich al
ready and see what l brought you
duchess to the life"
He took Mays arm and swung
her around so that Moran could have
a -closer look at her. She felt his
eyes taking her in, point by point;
her face, her neck, the long slender
lines Of her figure. She waited
breathlessly for his verdict.
ooh. | think Lois Leverich will
do" he said at last indifferently
turned on the heel of his riding boot