The Photo-Play Journal (Jul 1919-Feb 1921)

24 Photo-Play Journal out very early the following morning. South Africa is a pleasant land, though a wild one. And one, adventure-bound, with a pack on his back, a little money in his pocket, and a picture of a beautiful girl in his coat, may spend a pleasant day in trekking it. As evening fell, Calthorpe saw a fire and made for it. A group of tramps were around it, but your true soldier of fortune demands no family connections. "May I share your fire ?" asked Myles. "Sure," said the apparent leader of the group. Calthorpe grinned his thanks and stretched out luxuriously, falling into the sleep of the weary. When he awoke, the fire was out, the tramps were gone, and so, he discovered almost immediately, were his money and his hat. Ragged, bearded and hungry, Calthorpe made his town the following night, and approached the first house he saw to beg for food. The girl of the magazine opened the door. Something in Calthorpe wished he were clean-shaven, wished he were dressed as a gentleman ; something in him for the first time hated poverty, but he brushed it laughingly aside. He explained, briefly, that he was white and hungry and that it was too late at night for him to offer to work for food. He cursed himself as he said it. But the something in him that had awakened at her appearance lent a dignity to his bearing and his words. The girl, visibly impressed, brought him some food and a little money. Calthorpe winced at the money, and tried to give it back to her. "Listen," she said — and her voice was music to him — "my brother needs a clerk at the warehouse, but he'll never hire you as you are now. Fix yourself up — and. you can pay me back the money later." Steps sounded near, and she whispered. "Go, now, before he sees you." And Calthorpe, after a fervant thanks, went, something singing within him. Came the painted lady the next day to bring Farrant the diamonds Calthorpe zvas sure of two friends i Calthorpe shaven and shorn, Calthorpe neatly dressed, found no,difficulty in getting a job at Farrant's. Calthorpe, the capable, had no difficulty in making good at the job. And Calthorpe of the social graces that even a second son is not deprived of, found no difficulty in becoming popular in the town's social life. Joan's loan had long been repaid, but merely paying it back, Calthorpe realized, did not put him out of debt to Joan. He had given her his heart, too. And Joan was afraid that he was claiming hers in exchange ; afraid not because she could not trust him with it, but afraid, as any girl is, who plays with Love and finds him suddenly coming to collect his winnings. It was at a wagon picnic that Calthorpe, alone with Joan for a few minutes, began to tell her in words that his eyes had long since whispered. He reached for the magazine picture he had carried so long. "This, Joan, is why I came here. Don't tell me I came in vain." Before Joan could answer, there came a gay "Hello!" singing its way to them. And coming toward them were Solomon and Brummage. They had just come from Farrant's office, where they had told the latter that a fresh consignment of stolen diamonds would be brought to him by one of their messengers, and that he was to forward it to Cape Town. Calthorpe didn't know this, to be sure ; but their interruption didn't tend toward removing his displeasure. Joan sprang to her feet, glad of the chance to delay her answer, and introduced the men. "We have met before," said Calthorpe. "We have," said the other two, briefly. Joan realized at once that