Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-10-15
Miss West From
the East
By ROSCOE C. sToTT

earth, and deploraDly rich.
It was Gaines who was talking to
the telephone operator in the huge
hotel in Los Angeles.
'"This town has EN- all beat when 1t
comes t. variety! Gosh, you can feed
your funny face on anything from hot
dogs to a n-dolar-a-plate dinner;
beds from twenty cents to twenty dol
lars. Eastern folks clipping their cou-
pons and living quietly out on the Hill.
Rich birds like me hanging around and
waiting to be starred in a movie
in the year 1996-maybe!
How much longer Gaines would have
continued will never be known The
girl at the switchboard caught his arm.
"There's your chance, Gainesy
Brace up to that little blonde just
sinking to rest in the big leather
chair-there. quick See? Miss West
you know the little dame / talked
to you about
Rough-and-ready Mr.. Mitchell did
not hesitate for a courteous thank-you.
He was descending upon his new vic
tim.
Pardon me-won't you, please?-
but I'm Gaines Mitchell. And you are
the Miss West, aren't you" To her
nod he added a confused yeah,
know
Then he pulled chair up toward
hers.
Gosh, I'm outta luck. Came out to
get into pictures and I've been an
extra-lets see-just three times at
seven bones per, And you"
She smiled with the calmness of
achievement.
East. AS you probably know l am
resting between pictures"
Gaines face was alight as it had not
been since he was mechanician for his
fathers chauffeur in the May automo-
bile races.
Dandy! | want to work for YOU"
"And l think you might, if / were
working-rm resting. And meantime
1 am all horribly upset l cannot de-
eide between producers. Which would
you star in?'
Gaines fell into a mock faint.
(which? Oh, Lord-any p
mot too fast, Mr.. Mitchell. Miss
West from the East must have her
own terms. Maybe my price is too
high-maybe they will have to come
up Would you work for fifty thou
sand a year,"
Gaines grinned.
Miss West, honestly, I'd work for
fifty a year. And further"
He now looked at her bit sheep
ishly.
you wouldn't know dad nor his
stores bably-being too far East.
But money isn't my trouble" He looked
up with adfniration-"and you little
girl almost turning down those big pro
ducers"
A queer look flashed across her face.
IAN idea struck me. l will have to
depend upon my snap judgment of
men. / believe you are what you say
wealthy. l will turn down the whole
outfit and come to you for fifty thou
sand a year, and you can go into the
pictures as my leading man."
Within two days time Gaines
Mitchell was head over heels in maze
of business details. For a week he
did not see Miss West. When he did
come back to her it was with pocket
bullying with papers and contracts.
On his way to the hotel elevator a
feminine hand caught his. He turned
to see a changed Miss West-almost a
pathetic figure in her obvious misery.
"Come with me- Mr.. Mitchell"
He followed her to a car, Don't
talk till l get you in my real room.
| am so nervous"
Out on one of the humber side
streets he took her, scarcely saying
word in his bewilderment.
Come in, Mr. Mitchell. Mother is
here 1T will be all right"
Within, she broke down and cried
and afterward turned to him with in
finite repentance written all over her.
Even after 1 had wired mamma to
come out and enjoy my luck | couldn't
go through with it. | couldnt-be-
cause-because | couldn't Even my
name is lie l took it because heard
of Miss Dupont. I'm small town girl
like hundreds of others who come out
here. l thought / could bluff my way
through to something. I've never even
been an extra. The Sunday papers
had feature story about your coming
out here-and l liked your face-and
l came to the hotel where it said you
had rooms. I tipped the telephone girl
so she would give me my start with
you 1t was all mean, low trap.
Maybe l could act in pictures maybe
not"
A mothers hand was being laid on
Mitchell's broad shoulders.
ut is the only lie she ever told
Mr. Mitchell. Dora got the craze.
All of them do. But if she had not
been honest. she'd never have told you
at ALL would she, Mr. Mitchell?"
Gaines Mitchel's face was puzzle
I've gone too far to stop now l
guess iSS-DOra. Guess | was