Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

16 tltc piiiitiiig department to be included iti tlie next issue of '"The World." The Way of a Boy. NEEDLESS to feu.v, Bob Marshall was kistoiindcd wlien, on coming down to breakfast next niorninj;, he picked up the cojiy of "The World " which had just been delivered to his home, 4ind saw, staring at liini in cold print from the centre column of the tront page that which he had written about Myra Deanc at tlie ofTicc the previous night. His mother, who had seen the paper first, looked at him rather curiously as he read it, but rnade no comment. But she was nevertheless more than a little perturbed that her boy should have been so carried away by a girl to write in tliat way about her. And her per- turbation was added to by the know- ledge, gleaned in a talk with a neigh- bour whose husband worked on "The World." that this girl, M^ ra Deane, was practically engaged to Mr. Winter, the proprietor of the paper. \\'lKit would WnUer say if he know that Bob had lost his heart to the girl as apparently seemed to bo the case? I'robably would dismiss him from his work in a fit of jealousy. And having no husband, only Bob to support her, Mrs. Marshall felt sad at such a dis- tressing thouglit. But the good lady would have felt more ill at ease if she had known that that morning lier son sent Myra some Howers, saw her later in the day in her oHice, and received her ccngratidations on his write-up of her. "It was good, but very flattering," the girl told him somewhat shyly. Bob smiled and felt encouraged. "I didn't expect it would get in the paper. I left it lying about, and I suppose someone spotted it." He gazed at her with longing eyes las .she sat at her typewriter, looking round at him. " I suppose it w as ratheP ibsurd of. me writing all that. l)ut so much happened to me last night. I just couldn't let it fade away, so I just wrote it." '■ Um-um, but it was nice what you wrote about me." In that moment Myra had forgotten William Winter, his love for her^ rtud how much she owed him for her present substantial position. This boy had come into her life, and she felt that there was no harm in cul- tivating his acquaintance. Bob came closer to her, and greatly <laring, took hold of her hand. "Miss Deane—Myra, 1 meant all I said in that—er—story," he said earnestly. Again Myra blushed. Flattery slic was used to. but there was something in this simple and earnest praise of her that went straight to her heart—made her forget Winter more and more. ■'You did?" Her eyes twinkled mis- chievously. "Well, let me tell you sniiiething. I wasn't the most beautiful ?,Mrl at the ball." Bob was about to assure her fuil)hatically that she was.when a knock at the door interrupted him. But it was only a man from the chief editorial ofTices, and when he had dumped some papers on Myra's desk he took his departure, though as he went from the room ho shot Bob a curious glance. "Look here." said Bob, as the door closed behind the fellow. "I was won- dering * _ - _ Another interruption. This limp in the shape of the telephone-bell, which tinkled noisily. "You wondered—what?" prompted Myra as her hand went out to the receiver of the 'phone. OclobiT lOth, 1931. HOY'S CINEMA "Well, how about Sunday?" "Well, how about it?" she said ar.hly. "Well, I didn't have anything planned.'' Again Bob felt somewhat nervOLis, and he fidgeted with the lapel of his jacket. Then as he .saw she was smiling amusedly at him, he squared his shoulders and forced a laugh. "I tiiought wo could walk through the park and " "Oh. you're inviting me to step out, eh?" She feigned surprise, though his iiivifation thrilled her inwardly. But when he nodded she affected not to see the motion of his head. Her attention went to the. telephone whose bell was still ringing with marked persistence, and, lifting the receiver from its hooks, she clapped it to her ear. "Hallo? Are you there?" she said into the mouthpiece. A voice, easily recognisable, came over the wire, and what the caller had to say caused the girl to smile faintly. "You'll be out of town for the week- end?" Cleverly she forced into her voice a tone of disappointment. "Well, what am I supposed to do? Sit at home and twiddle my thumbs? Oh, all right—I'll manage somehow." Disillu-sioned, Bob was half-way to the door when Myra hung up the receiver and turned round. So she had a boy friend already? Well, it was no use, then, his trying to foster an ac- quaintance with her. It was not likely she would turn aside this other fellow for a new and struggling reporter. "Oh, wait a minute!" Myra smiled bewitchingly as Bob stopped and glanced back at her dubiously. "When was it vou wanted me to—er—step out?" "Simday," he told her, with sudden renewed eagerness. "Very well, it's a date. Bob," slie cried. "I'll meet you at three at the corner of Twenty-third." Bob nodded and went away highly elated. How he got through his work between then and the Saturday he hardly knew, for he found himself think- ing of the jiretty girl every moment of the time. But Sunday came at last, and he met her, looking radiantly beau- tiful in a pale pink frock and big picture hat. They went into the park, listened to the band, then roamed around the large zoo adjoining, laughing heartily at the queer antics of some of the animals, thoroughly enjoying every moment of the time. Myra found her- self really beginning to take an interest in her companion. She discovered that Bob was so different to all the other men she knew, and especially did this a))ply to William Winter, who always affected a patronising air whenever he took her out anywhere. Clear that she was falling for this l)0y. and she was forced to admit it to herself when he whirled her away to a delightfid spot beneath a cluster of trees, and there, on the fresh green grass, laid out the contents of the picnic- basket heliad brought with him. A delightful titne, during whi<h (hey chatted lightheartedly. and only marred when rain came down and sent them scuttling for home. She took Bob to lier apartments to dry his clothes, and he was amazed at tlie luxinious furnishing of the place. He was in the drawing-room, she in the kitchenette drying his hat and coat over the gas-stove, when, wandering around the room. Bob saw several packages with labels attached to them. "Happy Birthday, Myra—From Dodo," and v:irious other names. Every Tuesday Boylikc, he felt that ho must give her a present, too, and directly he got Uopn* he went to a jar that stood on the dresser in the kitchen and took from it a wad of dollar bills. His and h(:i mother's savings I Not a qualm did he have that he wa.* taking money that rightly belonged to Mrs. Marshall—all that obsessed him was the thought that he must give the girl, wlio had completely captured his heart, a present that would bo worthy of her. Bob Hit3 Out. GEE, it's the nicest present I've ever had !" Myra's eyes shone with real pleasure as she gazed at the magnificent gold bracelet, studded with diamonds that scintillated in the light streaming through the oflico window. "I'm glad you like it." Bob felt delighted tliat she should be so pleased with his birthdaj- gift. "Here, let me put it on for you." He took the bracelet from her, en- circled it rotmd her right wrist, and fas- tened it there. At that moment, and unbeknown to them, the office door opened and a face peered in. Charlie Collins, in a maudlin state as usual, and looking for someone from whom to borrow a few dollar bills. Perlxaps M> ra would oblige him, but at sight of the girl with Bob fastening that bracelet around her wrist, he caught iu liis breath in amazement, and retreated, dra-^ving the door quietly to behind him. 'Oh, Bob, it realh' is a beauty!" Myra stcjiped back and admired the bracelet again. "Oh, you are a dear boy ! I hardly know how to thank you enough !" "Don't try." Bob stepped up to her, took her hands in his. gazing deep into her shining eyes. "Look here, Myra. I have so much I want to say to you. Can't I see you later—after work?" Myra hesitated, for she knew how jealous William Winter would bo if he found out about their friendship. But she i)aused only a moment, then nodded her head as she realised that Winter did not return, as a rule, from a week- end till the Tuesday morning. Safe enough to take a chance. "Yes, Bob," she said. "Call for mc to-night." He went away in the seventh heaven of delight, but once outside the rooni someone lurched up to him and caught him by the arm. Bob started, theu seeing who it was. he smiled. "Hard up, old man!" The boy shrugged his shoulders expressively. "It's a fact. I haven't a dollar " "It's not that, kid." The reporter blinked around as if to make sure he wouldn't be overheard. "A little bit of sound advice. Go easy, or you'll got yourself in the devil of a jam. Oh, but perhaps you don't know ! Well, I'll tell you. That girl—she's Winter's, and Bob shook off Collins' grasp and seized him fiercely by the lapel of his jacket, his face crimsoning with sudden rage. He had heard tales about Winter—how the proprietor of "The World " gadded about witli numerous girls, spent his money freely on them, encouraged them to smoke and drink. But Myra—In- knew that such a sweet girl could never indulge in such vices. "You dirty hound !" Bob's voice w.n raised in the fury that possessed him. "You dare say anything " "But it's a fact, kid," the reporter gasped, alarmed at the fierceness of Bob's tone, the light blazing in liis eyes. "I know " -> I Ml M