Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1925)

14 Pict\ire s end Picture $ver FEBRUARY 1925 Illustrated by photographs from the P aramaimt film of the same title. At the very beginning of the tale there comes a moment of puzzled hesitation. One way of approach is set beside another for choice, and a third contrived for better choice. Still the puzzle persists, all because the one precisely right way might seem — shall we say intense, high keyed, clamorous? Yet if one way is the only right way, why pause? Courage! Slightly dazed, though certain, let us be on, into the shrill thick of it. So, then Out there in the great open spaces where men are men, a clash of primitive hearts and the coming of young love into its own ! Well had it been for Estelle St. Clair if she had not wandered from the Fordyce ranch. A moment's delay in the arrival of Buck Benson, a second of fear in that brave heart, and hers would have been a fate worse than death. Had she not been warned of Snake le Vasquez, the outlaw — his base threat to win her by fair means or foul? Had not Buck Benson himself, that strong, silent man of the open, begged her to beware of the half-breed? Perhaps she had resented the hint of mastery in Benson's cool, quiet tones as he said, " Miss St. Clair, ma'am, I beg you not to endanger your welfare by permitting the advances of this viper. He bodes no good to such as you." Perhaps — who knows? — Estelle St. Clair had even thought to trifle with the feelings of Snake le Vasquez, then to scorn him for his presumption. Although the beautiful New York society girl had remained unsullied irtthe midst of a city's profligacy, she still liked " to play with, fire," as she laughingly said, and at the quiet words of Benson — " Two-Gun Benson " his comrades of the border called him — she had drawn herself up to her full height, facing him in all her blond young beauty, and poured adorably as she replied, " Thank you ! But I can look out for myself." "Yet she had wandered on her pony farther than she meant to, and was not without trepidation at the sudden appearance of the picturesque halfbreed, his teeth flashing in an evil smile as he swept off his broad sombrero to her. Above her suddenly beating heart she sought to chat gaily, while the quick eyes o^f the outlaw took in the details of the smart riding costume that revealed every line of her lithe young figure. But suddenly she chilled under his hot glance that now spoke all too plainly. " I must return to my friends," she faltered. " They will be anxious." But the fellow laughed with a sinister leer. " No — ah, no, the lovely sefiorita will come with me." he replied; but there was the temper of steel in his words. KtOrs oft£e o Movies bu HARRY LEON WILSON The serial rights of this famous story, which has won world-wide success in play and film form, has been acquired by the PICTUREGOER. Kinema enthusiasts will find it the most joyous story ever written of the magic land that lies behind the silver sheet. For Snake le Vasquez, on the border, where human life was lightly held, was known as the Slimy Viper. Of all the evil men in that inferno, Snake was the foulest. Steeped in vice, he feared neither God nor man, and respected no woman. And now, Estelle St. Clair, drawing-room pet, pampered darling of New York society, which she ruled with an iron hand from her father's Fifth Avenue mansion, regretted bitterly that she had not given heed to honest Buck Benson. Her prayers, threats, entreaties, were in vain. Despite her struggles, the blows her small fists rained upon the scoundrel's taunting face, she was borne across the border, on over the mesa, toward the lair of the outlaw. "Have you no mercy?" she cried again and again. " Can you not see that I loathe and despise you, foul fiend that you are? Ah. God in heaven, is there no help at hand?" The outlaw remained deaf to these words that should have melted a heart of stone. At last over the burning plain was seen the ruined hovel to which the scoundrel was dragging his fair burden. It was but the work of a moment to dismount and bear her half-faintintr form within the den. There he faced her, repellent with evil intentions. " Ha, sefiorita, you are a beautiful wildcat, yes? But Snake le Vasquez will tame you! Ha ha!" he laughed carelessly. With a swift movement the beautiful girl sought to withdraw the small silvermounted revolver without which she never left the ranch. But Snake le Vasquez with a muttered oath was too quick for her. He seized the toy and contemptuously hurled it across his vile den. " Have a care, my proud beauty !" he snarled, and the next moment she was writhing in his grasp. Little availed her puny strength. Helpless as an infant was the fair New York society girl as Snake le Vasquez, foulest of the viper breed, began to force his attentions upon .her. The creature's hot kisses seared her defenceless cheek. "Listen!" he hiss-ed. "You are mine, mine at last. Here you shall remain a prisoner until you have consented to be my wife." All seemed, indeed, lost.