The Photo-Play Journal (May 1916-Apr 1917)

PAGE 46. THE PHOTO-PLAY JOURNAL FOR APRIL, 1917. Leaving most of her breakfast untouched, to the astonishment of the waiter, the young lady hurriedly pays her check and leaves. Going back to the apartment house she raps at the landlady's door and asks her if she knows where Mr. Cowan of the third floor has gone. She replies, "He did not say, but he had a satchel and his overcoat." Miss Cowen, noting the lateness of the hour, goes to her work and ponders. What shall she do ? Her sympathy is fully aroused. This young man should get the news without delay. She recalls meeting him in the hall with a leather-bound law book under his arm. In fact, in passing her at the narrow head of the stairs on one occasion he had dropped it and papers had fallen out. She had helped him gather them up. He was evidently a lawyer or, more likely, studying to be one. She pictures him in her mind's eye occupying the judge's seat in a court room. He is gravely considering evidence — then admonishing the jury with forceful tones and gestures. She smiles at herself with half-shut eyes, then rouses from her absorbed attitude as the floorwalker draws near. That gentleman is vexed at her being late and neglecting her customers to stand with rapt expression gazing at nothing. He requests her to report at the office, where she is paid and dismissed. His revenge is complete, but his punishment is that he must always remain what he is — nothing! Miss Cowen goes down the street with determination shining in her eyes. She buys a noon edition of the paper and sitting on a bench in the park scans it in search of employment. Her reading is spasmodic — her thoughts go continually to the letter she carries, whose owner she would seek if only she knew how and where. Her glance falls upon a news item that draws her instant and concerned attention. It is to the effect that the campaign against impure foods is being waged hotly and an investigation is now on of a certain plant whose product, by recent tests has proven particularly objectionable. "This up-state manufacturer," the item reads, but mentions no names, "who was recently summoned before the State Board of Food Commissioners, has assumed an arrogant attitude which is making him the target of a special investigation." Miss Cowen horrifiedly visions her stepfather's factory, his office, himself in one of his ugly moods. Then with further concern she recalls a sheet of the paper which she helped her roomer-neighbor recover from the floor of the hallway a few days back. She had caught the words "food investigation" upon it. We can forgive her if she shows a sudden revulsion of feeling against the young man. It is true she has no love for her stepfather, but after all the matter concerns her mother, and if pressed to conclusion, can only end in great distress to that dear lady. Oh why, why, must it be that this new found friend to whom she has been so pleasantly attracted should prove a persecutor of her family? But, after all, too, is it not justice? Is the blame to be laid at the door of young Cowan? Manifestly not, he is but obeying instructions. He is engaged in a work for the public good. Miss Cowen takes a broad view of the matter. The one at fault is her stepfather, and no one else. Young Cowan does not merit her disfavor. Yes, she must be liberal. Her heart prompts liberality. Mr. Cowan's stock rises. It would be well to make sure that young Cowan has gone to Kingsboro, her home town and the site of her stepfather's factory. She goes to a neighboring drug store and calls up the district attorney's office. "Can you tell me, please, who has the food investigation in charge?" She is answered "The assistant district attorney, madam; just a moment, I will give you his office." "Hello, yes, this is he. . . . Oh. ... I regret that I cannot discuss matters over the phone — if you will call, I'll be glad . . . yes, thank you, good-bye." Ruth goes to his office, introduces herself as Miss Cowen, and says she is seeking a young man whom she thinks is engaged in the legal aspect of the food investigation — his name is Cowan — no, he is no relation, but she has important news for him of a personal nature. "Yes, Mr. Cowan is one of my assistants. He left town yesterday on — ah, on business. Any word I can send him I'll be glad to convey." Mr. Landry is quite "officially" minded. Then Miss Cowen tries a bold stroke. She says "Thanks, I'm leaving for Kingsboro tonight and — " Mr. Landry falls into her trap. "Why, that's — " And then he catches himself, closes his mouth and rubs his chin. Miss Cowen, affecting not to notice his interruption, continues her remark, bows to Mr. Landry and departs. She pauses outside the door to turn and smile at the success of her strategy. Taking the train for Kingsboro she goes to the one first-class hotel in town and scans the register. Of course not — why hadn't she thought? He would take less conspicuous quarters. She calls up her mother and finding that her stepfather is not at home she goes to the house. Ruth and her mother are visiting as only a mother and daughter can visit when she espies Mr. Cowan going by. He must get that letter. She hurries to the door and calls him in. Mr. Cowan enters delightedly and is presented to "My mother, Mrs. Griggs — Mr. Cowan." Mr. Cowan bows, then starts at the name Griggs and repeats it to himself with a look of some embarrassment. He visions the front of the Griggs factory in the outskirts of town, which he has just been reconnoitering. Miss Cowen, however, gives him no time for further selfcommunion. She hands him the letter which she accidentally received and opened, telling him that its contents are important and asks his pardon. Mr. Cowan smiles his forgiveness and remarks that the score is even since he opened one of hers. He then excuses himself and leaves. Miss Cowen and her mother continue their visit, quite apparently with much news to each other. Some of it involves Cowan evidently from Ruth's gestures and her pretty confusion. They ponder over his errand to Kingsboro, and Ruth defends him on the score of his working for the public good. Young Cowan goes to his room thoughtfully — his usually sunny face wears a cloud of concern. His mother is ill. His present investigation involves the welfare of two very attractive women. He has much cause for worry. 'Twould be better to resign than make his living by persecuting such as these — and yet, duty is duty. Mr. T. V. Griggs, Esq., is looking out of the window of his office in the Griggs factory with worry on his face, also. There is a knock at the door and his foreman Barnes enters. Barnes is big and rough — not a prepossessing specimen. They talk and look at newspapers and a couple of letters. Griggs says "We've got to look out for these investigators — they're on our trail." His expression is venomous. Barnes says, "There's a stranger in town, and he's prowling around — Joe's seen him twice." Griggs says, "Watch him — if he looks suspicious some accident must happen to him — get me?" Barnes nods. Nate Smith is station agent at Kingsboro. He was born and raised in the town. He loves Ruth Cowen and knows of her unhappiness. Ruth doesn't return Nate's tender regard, but they have been good friends since school days. Nate has lived in hope. He saw her arrive on the noon train and looked wistfully after her as she walked up town. As Nate closes up the ticket office that night about eight, leaving the night operator in charge, he walks down Elm Street and spies Ruth on the veranda of a friend's home. He enters the gate and greets the girls, stopping at the steps to visit. Shortly they see Barnes and Joe go by talking earnestly. Nate says, "There's somethin' up when those two crooks are together like that." Ruth glances after them apprehensively and asking her girl friend to excuse them a minute she draws Nate to one side and tells him of Cowan and his evident mission. Nate says he'll do anything he can for her — name her desire. Ruth says "Watch Barnes tonight; I think he means mischief." Nate says, "How about Cowan?" Ruth replies, "Don't let him get hurt." Nate promises, looking mystified, then leaves, going in the direction taken by Barnes and Joe. He follows them to the depot where they perch on a baggage truck, smoking and talking. Nate goes into the depot as if on business — he's watchfully waiting. Ronald Cowan is torn between anxiety for his mother and concern over his work. He paces the floor of his room, finally puts on his coat and hat and goes to the depot. Joe spies him going in and tells Barnes "That's the guy." Ronald asks at the ticket window if there is a night train he can get to Conway Junction to connect with the E. & W. for Pretoria, his home town. Nate pulls a map out and shows him the route, but explains that the night express doesn't stop at Kingsboro. It would land Ronald at the Junction in time for the morning local on the E. & W. if it only stopped. It's due to pass through at 11.30. Nate says he'll wire the dispatcher for permission to flag it. He has the operator do so and gets an 0. K., for which Ronald gratefully proffers him a cigar. Nate likes Cowan — he's so frank and open. But why Ruth's solicitous attitude ? If Cowan is against her stepfather's interests she has no call to befriend him. Nate scratches his head in perplexity — oh, well, no one knows a woman's mind and heart! But Nate sighs and wishes he had a place in Ruth's heart. Meanwhile Joe is eavesdropping in the gloom at the door and reports to Barnes. They decide to stick around — maybe it's a trick of Cowan's. "If he's goin'," says Barnes, "we'll give him somethin' that'll make him hesitate about comin' back." Ronald and Nate stroll out, Ronald explaining that he'll get his grip and return in good season. As they emerge Barnes and Joe hide themselves around the corner. Nate says he's going in Ronald's direction and accompanies him down the street, keeping his eye open for the conspirators, of whom Ronald is in ignorance. Mrs. Griggs and Ruth are interrupted in their visit by Mr. Griggs, who comes home uglier than ever. They leave him and emerge on the front porch where Ruth tries to comfort her mother. They walk down the path to the gate, and Ruth puts her arm affectionately around the sorrowing woman. Ronald parts with Nate, packs his grip and then, having over an hour till train time, walks in the direction of the Griggs house. He hates to leave Kingsboro — another look at the home of her he loves will do him some good. Behold, he meets Ruth and her mother and tells them of his departure. "Shall you return to Kingsboro, Mr. Cowan?" asks Ruth. Ronald revolves his hat in his hands as he studies