Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday BOY'S CINEMA Bob caught tlic smiling eyes of the beautiful girl standing beside the desk, and Myra nodded her head as if to sub- stantiate the editor's instructions. A njoment only did the boy pause after that and then went quickly from the room, his_ brain still pondering upon the editor's strange request. Bob lost no time in getting the neces- sary money from the cashier to pay for the hiring of the suit of dress clothes, nor did he waste much time in obtain- ing the suit itself. Some half an hour later he came back to the office, look- nig as immaculate as any titled man, complete with top-hat and white gardenia in his buttonhole. Straight to the editor's desk he went, beling somewhat embarrassed in the unaccustomed clothes, conscious that many of the reporters stopped in their hibour to cast curious glances at him. But P'rank Smithson, busily writing, was not aware tiiat the boy stood be- side his desk till Bob coughed to draw liis attention. "Well, what the heck you standing there for?" The editor looked up and S(-0wled, then waved an impatient hand towards the door. "Go and see the Society editor. Miss Deane, and for heaven's take leave me in peace !" Smithson's eyes went back to his work innnediately, and, more mystified than ever. Bob walked from the room, crossed the corridor outside and tapped at a door upon whicli was inscribed the words "Society Editor." A feminine voice bade him enter, and he opened the door and went in, taking off his top- hat as Myra Deaiie rose from a chester- field, where she had been reading a book. "My, you look splendid!" ,?hc sur- veyed him critically, and became aware of his good looks, the frank expression on his face as he gazed at her in un- disguised admiration. ■^I'hen she found herself blushing, aiul impatiently flirugged her shoulders. "But we'd better be Iiurrying. We're going to the International Ball, and you're to be my escort." Bob's face lit up with pleasurable pride. Hero was something ho had never dreamed of—to accompany such a wonderful girl to the biggest social event in the city. The International Ball at the Municipal Auditorium. It was a grand affair. Everybody who was anybody in New York was there—well-groomed and handsome men —beautifully gowned women; but, to Bob, not one of the ladies present could compare with the girl ,he escorted, cither in looks, charm or in dress. Not that ho noticed many of them, because his admiring eyes seldom left Myra's pretty face. It was the same when he was dancing with her—and Bob could dance well—when he was sitting beside her during the brief intervals and when they \\ere partaking of refreshment. His gaze was on her the wlioie while, drinking in her beauty, watching tlie gay light that scorned always to dance Lu her eyes. Bob had lost his heart to Myra Deane and lost it badly, and he could not have denied it. The ball over at last, he escorted her back to the o/fice, and was sorry when the time for parting came. "Well, I must get on with niv storv," >he told him, holding out her hand" as they reached the door of her room. "It was a splendid evening. Thanks .so much for your trouble. Gocd-night !" lie took off his hat as he grasped her hand, gazing with adoration into her pretty face, his heart pumping like a sledgehammer within him. For the second time that evening she blushed and shrugged her shoulders impatiently. "No need to thank me," said Bob happily. "It was a pleasure, believe me." And then she was gone, breaking from Ins grasp and quickly darting into her room. For several seconds Bob stood there, gazing wistfully at the closed door, then turned slowly and went into the main editorial offices, where, as usual, all was activity and bustle. His desk reached, he sat down in his chair, cupped his head in his hands, his thoughts dwelling on his wonderful good fortune of that evening. The one girl in the world—charming—exquisite. 15 He sighed, then suddenly reaching for a sheet of paper, he placed it in his typewriter and began to tap the keys slowly and laboriously. Hi? story of the International Ball. "I have just come from the Interna- tional Ball. I escorted the society editor. She was the most beautiful oi all among the vast assembly " He paused, gazing around the oHico dreamily as if seeking inspiration, then suddenly continued, praising the girl wiio had captured his heart, lauding hcv to the skies. Half an hour he stuck at the machine and then Frank Smithson yelled for him. Iwo or three more words pounded out at record speed, and his story \\as completed, then he hurried over to the editor, w ho sent him off to Mr. Winter's apartments with some "copy " for tho proprietor's "O.K." "No need to come back again to^iight, kid," Smithson informed him. Ihat copy'll do first thing in th© morning. And, by the way, see that tliose glad rags are returned—get me?" Bob nodded and went out. And no sooner had he disappeared than the reporter who occupied the next desk to his was at the boy'.^ typewriter gazing down at the sheet of paper Bob had left there He was curious to see wliat the lioy had been writing, and as he read It through lie whistled and grinned. Next nionieiu the sheet of papci- was out of the machine and the reporter was st»;;tling across to Mr. Smithson's desk Found this on my desk, boss," he lied, placing the typewritten sheet before the editor. As the reporter went on his wav, Mr Smithson took up the sheet, read it through, and chuckled. ■'Heck, this is good," lie told himself with a trace of excitement in his face 1 II put it in the paper alongside Myra s story. It'll make darned good reading, or I'm a Dutchman." And quickly adding at the top in blue pencil, Cub Reporter Attends Inter- national Ball, by Robert Marshal! " Smithson passed Bob's "story" on to Octul)Cr Jutli, rJ31.