Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1919)

42 Photoplay Magazine "We'll sec about that." He had lighted a cigar and now leaned back comfortably on the couch. There was a ring at the bell. "There she is!" exclaimed Douglas. "She's been over to Johnny's." "My curiosity is about to be satisfied," said Anthony, rising, and throwing down his cigar. "Not if I know it," exclaimed the youth. For answer the older man shoved him into the den, lockc<i the door, and put the key in his pocket. Douglas banged on the door. Nancy came in dejectedly. Johnny had been unable to offer her any assistance. He, too, had been living beyond his income. "Sorry, old girl, but my creditors — " "I understand, Johnny. Sorry I bothered you." "Douglas! Where are you?'' she called softly. The comer of her cloak slipped listlessly from one bare shoulder. She caught it together as she spied the stranger. "I am .Anthony Weir, at your service, madam," he said, with a mocking bow. "How do you do?" she said nervously. "I had something to say to Douglas." The knocking at the door redoubled. "Indeed?" answered Anthony, wholly ignoring the sound. 'Well, perhaps you won't mind talking it over with me instead. Won't you be seated?" Feeling very much at a loss, Nancy did so. Weir seated himself opposite her, gazing in unwilling admiration at her dark loveliness in its rich settine. ^Douglas has told, me everything," said Weir abruptly. She started to speak, but he stopped her with a gesture. The knocking at the door ceased suddenly. Douglas was listening. "Now, Mrs. Trevor," asked Weir sarcastically, "aren't you ashamed to practice your wiles on one so young as my ward?" "My what, Mr. Weir?" asked Nancy in a puzzled manner. "Your wiles." She rose. "I didn't come here to be insulted, Mr. Weir." "I shall try to insult you just as little as possible. Mrs. Trevor, but I am obliged to talk to you in this way because you seem to have lost all sense of decency." She gasped, but Anthony went on relentlessly. "Three years ago this boy was a decent young chap, but now he has become a thief — a common criminal — thanks to you and your friends." "Oh, it isn't true, Mr.. Weir. You misjudge me. "You have accepted his money, haven't you?" "I had no idea it was stolen." Again the sarcastic smile. "But your smiles called for payment, your gentle hints for generosity." Nancy rose angrily and paced the floor. "Oh, it is impossible to talk to you." Anthony Weir persisted. "He is now in a serious predicament. What about the money he has given you? " I made you fake the money because I love you, Nancy," Douglas muttered. "Oh, I don't care if he never gets it," she exclaimed, sweeping into the reception hall. Weir followed, to attend her as far as the door. Suddenly she turned and looked up at him. "I'm sorry for what I said just now. I spoke hastily." "Your apology is accepted, Mrs. Trevor. But none the less I shall call on you to-morrow at noon. If you do not return at that time the money my ward has given you, he will be arrested for larceny, and you will be named as an accomplice. Good night, ]Mrs. Trevor." Next morning Nancy was up early, working with feverish haste. She gathered jewels, gowns, and furs all in a pile in her boudoir. Then she wrote down in a little note-book a list of them, with the approximate cost of each. She raised her hand to the brooch at her throat, and added that to the heap— she had forgotten that. Her maid stood by in astonishment. While she was in the midst of it, Molly Wise arrived. "What's the big idea, Nancy? Going away?" "No, just getting a few things together." "Wonder you wouldn't ask a fellow to sit down." "Well, there's the bed. I think it's the only place that isn't all covered up." She told Molly of her meeting with Weir. "Why, the poor simp!" exclaimed her friend. "I hope you told him where to head in at?" A ring at the bell prevented Nancy from answering. Weir was on time. Molly started to put down the cigarette she was smoking, and go, but Nancy stopped her. "Please don't go. I want you here — for moral support." "My Gawd, Nancy, I never gave that to anybody." However, Nancy prevailed ufK)n her to stay, and overhear the conversation. Accordingly she had the butler show him into the small sitting-room adjoining. "Please come in," she said archly. "I promise not to practice any of my wiles on you." Molly, who had begun to file her nails, suddenly sat .upright on the bed. This was a strange beginning! Weir seated himself at Nancy's request, and said, "It is noon, Mrs. Trevor." "I am perfectly aware of that fact, Mr. Weir." She rang for the maid, and asked her to fetch the jewel-case, and the pile of garments. Taking the fur coat first, she flung it at Weir. He stood rather helplessly with the thing hanging across his arms. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked. "Part payment," she answered briefly. After it she flung a handsome plum-colored embroidered dress, a gold dress, a pink dress, her feathered opera cloak, — the whole pile that she had so industriously gathered together. Weir resembled a fashionable modiste's assistant. A lacy iiegligee was hurled, and fell atop the heap. "Now I want you to see the balance (Continued on page 132) I