Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

18 The Clearing House for Dreams • * Photo by Keyes A letter from Sweden asking for Blanche Sweet's photograph, predicted happiness because she was "of a very nice shape." their own, that mothers sometimes know an unwelcome leisure, and an ache of loneliness more devastating than any bodily ache. One old lady, apparently not considered polished enough to meet her son's and daughter's friends, wrote Alice Joyce a letter that had the tragedy of age between the lines, although the words themselves attempted to be brave. In their social ambitions,' her children overlooked the fact that their mother's hands were rough because of the washing and scrubbing she had done for them. Both sent .her large checks, and so bought easy ' consciences for themselves. ' But they were too occupied with their own affairs to give her any time. Their children were looked after by nurses. Grandmother's offers to visit and read to them were discouraged. chance of the writer being a professional beggar is overlooked. This was the case when Gloria Swanson had been the Marquise de la Falaise only a few months. A girl who wanted a new dress for her wedding day wrote that she had no money, because everything she had earned as a mill hand had gone to support her invalid mother. She didn't dream of a trousseau, but had Gloria a dress to spare so that on this one day, at least, she might be as beautiful as possible in her sweetheart's eyes ? It didn't matter that there remained no time for investigation when the letter came to Miss Swanson's attention. Memories of her own perfect wedding day gave her deep sympathy -for her j correspondent, and it was enough that there still remained time to get the dress to the little middleWestern town from which the letter came. However, perhaps the saddest things in life are the leftovers, the old people who have outlived their usefulness and their welcome. A young mother may go to bed weary after Saturday's baking, but she is happy if little John and Bessie have squealed with delight over gingerbread men with raisin eyes. Such busy years have their own compensations. It is when sons and daughters grow up and have families of Money with which to run away from an undesirable marriage was asked of Pola Negri. "My boy and girl are very generous," the old lady explained, "and they don't mean to be thoughtless. But they don't know how lonely I get. I'm not one to sit with my hands in my lap. I know they're busy, but . I wish, I could ,see more of them arid my dear, little grandchildren. "I always liked you in pictures and I read in a paper how you have two little girls that you keep with you. I guess you're _ pretty busy, but it would give me pleasure tof bring your girls picture books, and read to them when it's rainy, and they can't go out and play." What a pity that there was no way in which the son and daughter could be found, and this letter sent them, while there remained a few years in which to prove to one old lady that she was still loved and needed. • Then there was the Wife, her dreams dead, who wrote Marion Davies. She couldn't endure the thought of days growing into years, while she continued in the prison her marriage had proved to be. She said, in part : I am twenty-three years old, and have been married five years. I am very unhappy, as my husband chases after other women. He is out every night, and I have to stay in, because I have no money or clothes. And, then, when he comes home drunk he beats me. I have always heard how good you are, Miss Davies, and if you ever want to do an act of kindness, here is your chance. I want to get a divorce, and start life over, but while I am married to this man I don't have any courage to do anything. Will you please send me five hundred dollars, so I can get a divorce? As soon as I am free I will work so hard and pay back every cent. Continued on page 112