Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

I'NJl'UKiiS AND TilE PICTURZGOES. \\ H J . Nov. 20, 1915 FAMOUS PLAYERS PRODUCTION OF ;jlM % pEMMAN] THE INTERNATIONAL ORAfW(C TRIUMPH COXTRI LL7D LI J. D. WALKERS WORLD'S Films, Ltp. Adapted from the Film B\ PATRICK GI.VXX. 1E HAHD THAT Y/ROT£ THAT S/G//*ro#£ ^O/fO-eO Th /S L£7T£/1 JOHN' RALSTON at this .moment was Buffering from '* the hump." He had just been rejected as a lover by Nina L'Bstrange in fax our of a younger rival wlio worked in the same office with him. Yes, he liked the handsome, straightforward young Louis Percival all right, but why in the name of perdition should tliis young man win the affections of charming Nina, when his own warm affections were gently but firmly repulsed. He was cleverer than Louis, and a much more experienced man of the world, hut he did not deceive himself he was also much older; his personality was as candle-light beside the brilliant nan' of youth, enthusiasm, and good looks enjoyed by Louis. His hump grew larger when Louis cam" to him with a piece of "good kws."' Louis had just heard that a i-elat've had died conveniently enough to a lo v him a large fortune to commence housekeeping' with. ■ 1 shall have to leave for Chicago. old chap." continued Louis, -and take oyer tin' management of my uncle's affairs. Ls soon as I can lay bands on the dough I -hall he back again To marry Nina. I am not going to tell her about my windfall just yet. 1 mean it to be a pleasant surprise to her."' ■• 1 shall res] ect your confidence/' replied Ralston in a tired voice. "But, as you know. Nina has given me the cold shoulder in your favour. Don't say anything. Everything is fair in love and war. Yon desen e j our luck." Louis instinctively knew that his sympathy in this case would hardly be. appreciated. He silently shook hards with his friend, and departed by the next train to ( 'hicago. Ralston received another jar to his nerves that day. [n this case il was not sheer misfortune, but the result of his own misconduct. Baron Hartfeld, the agent of a foreign bank, called to see him. and the visitor's sinister face involuntarily made Ralston shiver. " Ah. ,M i-. Ralston," said 1 h 1 Baron, urbanely : " I have called about this cheque. Ralston glanc d at it and shivered again. "It was presented to o.ir bank, and we ha\ or rather 1 have — discovered that it is the neatest forgery I have ever seen." "Give me time, an J I'll make good the cheque," replied Ralston. hoarsely. "It was a momentary temptation. I'll pay yon to-morrow.'' The Baron bowed. "That will do," he replied, as he retired with a peculiar smile. " I intend to make use of tint man," he murmured, as he walked back to the bank; "his talent would make his fortune and mine." Ralston paid the Baron by the simple process of robbing Peter to pay Paul. He embezzled some of his firm's money, and trusted to luck to pay his firm before the deficit was discovered. His thoughts returned to lucky Louis' who had written him telling him that the amount of the fortune left him by his uncle was larger than he had expected. " Nina will have a t >wn and a country house, a queen's retinue, and a lavish margin for charities. I am keeping the news from her as a surprise." " Why should he have all. and I nothingr" Ralston asked himself, bitterly. His eyes fell upon Perci\al's letter lying before him. and a diabolical scheme entered his head. He took up a lien and idly copied the other's handwriting. With a few minutes' practice he marvellously produced the other's style of writing, and Ralston smiled. He shut himself up for the next hour, and when he emerged he posted the following letter to Miss Nina b'Estrahgej "Dear Nina X hardly know how to tell you thai 1 amabout tomarry another. The love i felt for you was a mistake. Forgive and forget me", and I am sure you will lind someone more worthy of your love; and. thougjh «e never should meet again, remember me as yohr friend. Lor is I'kk.i ym,." Ralston kepi away from t he [/Estrange household lor a lew da\s. Then he paid a visit. He saw that Nina was looking Dale, but determined. In response to bis sympathetic inquiries Nina' replied : "Percival and I have parted. I returned him his ring without a word." Ralston murmured sympathetic words. lie knew it was not yet time to \ his suit, but his ) _:iter. H ■■ would call again. Baron Hartfeld saw Ralston the U8Xt day. H • treated Ralston with, the utmi • apologised if ( teque might have left any unplhind. " A man with a talent -."" he slid. " could do much for himself abroad with me to manage that talent." There wag iver sation, and at length Ralston agreed to embark upon a career of prof — Bional forgery, with Haitfeld to ad lie possessed the banking secrets of nearly every wealthy man in the country. London was selected in which to commence 0] tions.and Ralston, knowing that he could marry Nina immediately he "earned" some money, decided to follow Hartfeld's plans. Hecommenc I operations with a very clever forgery, and with the proceeds married Nina, who agreed to accompany her husliand to London. "What had mystified New York I _ to mystify London. Every few months the newspapers chronicled the news 1 t' yet another clever forgery. First it was the Duke of Athlcne. then the great financier "Wm. Robt. Dubton, afterwards it was the great theatrical star Miss Vera Buttal. The mysterious forger plundered all sections of society, provided they were worth plundering. Scotland Yard put the best men of its staff on "the task of unearthing the forger, but all its efforts met with no Wl 111 Till 1: ^ E' 1 KIKD ~