Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1919)

Photoplay Macjazine 4' to meet them. '"Please!" she said. ""Can't you stay out just a little while longer? Douglas and I are talking." •"Come with me," was Johnny's cheerful invitation to the crowd. "I've got more drinks in my house than any other man in town. Rich guy," "e added in an undertone. Let Nancy land him!" "But Douglas.' protested Nancy when they we're once more alone, "I never suspected. 1 wouldn't for the world have—' "I know it," muttered the youth hopelessly. "I made you take the money because I love you, Nancy." "Oh, you think so, dear. I don't doubt. " she said hastily and changed the subject. ""But how could you keep this expensive apartment?'' "It's not mine. It belongs to my guardian, .Anthony Weir, — finest man in the world. But lie's turned me down. Never answered my cable. Well, it means imprisonment, I suppose. I can't pay up!" "No. no! There must be some way out.'' Nancy rose impulsively. "I know, — Johnny will help us." She threw her opera cloak over the brocaded evening gown she was wearing. ""I'll be back in a few minutes." ■"Nancy, you mustn't do this.'' he objected. ""I've got to! There's no other way." She was gone in an instant. Once more the boy took the re\"olver from its hiding-place. '"I can never face arrest — " he muttered, "a trial— court — " He raised the weapon slowly. With one of those coincidences which make facts constantly stranger than fiction, he was prevented from pulling the trigger by the sudden arrival of his guardian. .Anthony Weir, whom he had supposed in France. Furtively Douglas laid the revolver on the piano. "Tony!" he shouted, and rushed forward to meet him. "Douglas, old kid! It's certainly great to see you!" "But I didn't know you were on this side of the ocean." "Important business brought me back, "i'ou're not looking quite yourself, Douglas." "Oh, — I've a sort of a headache." He dropped into a chair. Weir came up, and stood behind him. "I'm here to keep you from making a fool of yourself. You must have known someone would inform me about the fascinating widow who always needs money." "Tony ! how dare you ! "' He leaped up angrily, but the older man forced him down again. "Now don't become theatrical. Just how bad is it?" Weir caught sight of the note which Nancy had dropped on the floor, picked it up and read it. "Well, it's high time I came." ■'I didn't want you to see that note, Tony," said Douglas. "Probably not. But I have seen it!" The youth spoke excitedly. "I never intended to steal the mone>', Tony. But she needed it, and I practically forced her to accept it." "Who. Mrs. Trevor?" Douglas gave a start of surprise. "How did you know her name-" 'Aren't you ashamed to practise your wilrs on my wjrJ?" asked Weir. Weir laughed. "Who doesn't know? I suppose you couldn't resist her baby blue eyes." '"Her eyes are not blue! They're brown!' "Ah! A widow with soulful brown eyes! She's not worthy of you. Douglas!" An expression of extreme anger appeared on Douglas' face. '"Vou have no right to speak of her in that way. Why, you don't even know her." 'I am acquainted with the species." "She's the finest little woman in the world, I tell you. She is absolutely honest.' 'Naturally, that's her slock in trade." Unable to bear any longer this abuse of the woman he loved, Douglas swung on Weir, forgetting in the madness of the moment that he was striking the best friend he had in the world, the only one who stood between him and certain disgrace. But Anthony Weir easily defended himself without injuring his ward, and pushed him into a chair. "Now don't get excited, old chap. I'll see you through, but on one condition. I've got to have a word with tl"^ ^f'•'■ Trevor." "Why?" "To give her a piece of my mind. I-etting a boy ruin himself to provide her with luxuries! Why, the thing's disfcusling!" "Tonv! You shall not sec her! You sha'n't talk to her."