Boy's Cinema (1933)

retained the supremacy for the United States. A genial, likeable man in liis early fifties—a man of indomitable enthusiasm, a hard fighter, a good loser and a fine sportsman. Standing by hia desk was Clarence Burton, a cold, shrewd and wealthy banker of perhaps thirty-four years of age. Clean-shaven, handsome, and practically engaged to Jameson's daughter, Shirley, "Think your bank can keep me out of receivership?" Jameson asked in his frank manner. ' We'll do our best," Burton assured him. "But there is one thing the bank insists upon—you must stop spending thousands of dollars every year on a lacing boat." Jameson bristled and glared at the \oimger man. "What's that? Give up the Inter- national Cup? Why, Clarence, you can't expect me to do that. Where's your "porting blood, man?" "It's not a matter of patriotism, but business." Burton spoke decidedly. Mr. Jameson, I'm going to be frank. You tried out last year about four hoats, you spent thousands, and if the British entry had not been unlucky in fouling that buoy, you would have been second instead of first. Why not give up as champion than go on to be bpaten? Don't think I'm talking like a quitter, but there are some, wonderful craft and engines for this year's race, and I doubt whether last year's boat can retain the title. You intend to spend money having all sorts of improvements done, but I say. and the bank sSy, Keep clear.' " "I'd rather be beaten than slide out :i- if I wore seared." cried the old ship- builder. "Why, Clarence——" The door was suddenly flung open and'Shirley rushed in. She ran to her father, too breathless and excited for the moment to notice Burton. "'Oh, skipper," she gasped out, kissing him impetuously, "I—I had an accident —ran dov\n a rowboat and—and nearly drowned two sailors. It was such fun, "Kun! Fun!" stormed her father. Did they think it was fun?" " Please let me finish," reproved the girl. " I rescued them—one chap couldn't swim a stroke—I had to go overboard and get him. He put up an awful struggle—got scared—and I had to hit him—awfully hard " She demon- strated how hard by swinging a small fist very close to her father's chin. "I was so sorry for the poor fellow. And, skipper, is he handsome?" Jameson grinned across at Burton, « ho was not smiling. "You'll have to look into this, Clarence. You seem to have compe- tition." Shirley realised that Burton was there. "Hallo, Clarence, didn't see you," she admitted. "Awfully sorry. Suppose \ou two have beeji talking figures and facts. Oh. that reminds me." She turned to her father. "Skipper, I've brought them over to the island. They're looking for work, and they know all about boats. You'll fix 'em with a job?"_ A job!" Jameson frowned. "I'll be looking for a job myself if business doesn't get a bit brighter." "But the accident was my fault." Shirley gazed at her father pleadingly. " We've got to do something. They might sue us." " All right, honey, I'll s P0 what I can do," smiled the indulgent father. "Thank heaven you didn't run down a battleship." May 6th, 1933. BOY'S CINEMA "You're a darling!" Shirley kissed her father and ruffled his hair. "Well, I must bo off. Thanks, skipper. 'Bye, Clarence! Seo you later." A Swanker Gets His Deserts. SANDY' NORTON and Bumpy lolled in armchairs under an awning on the Jameson yacht, waiting for Shirley to come out of her father's office. "Sandy "—Bumpy was a little anxious — "we got fired out of the Navy; we didn't quit. Why? Because of that gas turbine we fixed to the admiral's cutter. We put all our savings into that experi- ment, and " "The admiral went out to his ship faster than flying." Sandy chuckled at the memory. " And just after he stepped aboard it blew up," growled Bumpy. " Then it ail came out how we had tinkered with the cutter, and we nearly walked the plank. Don't go messing about with Jameson's boats until we've found out the defect." "All, it was nothing—faulty piping!" growled Sandy. " The pipe must have cracked, petrol spurted out, and up she went." He smiled. "Gee, I can see it now! The fire section running about, the cutter in flames, and everyone curs- ing, and all one side of the battleship was blistered." "Yeah, and so were we." Bumpy pointed to a yacht moored about forty yards away. "Fine looking girls on that craft." A number of girls in gay bathing dresses had appeared, and with much giggling proceeded to dive over the side into the blue waters of the miniature harbour. " Sounded like the launching of a dreadnought." Sandy never bothered to lower his voice, and one of the girls swimming near the Jameson craft overheard. "I'd like to see you do better," she called out. "I don't suppose you can even swim." "I can't swim, can't I?" Sandy cried in his truculent way. "Well, watch this, girts." Swiftly he stripped off his jersey and trousers. Underneath he wore a bath- ing costume. It was so hot at Catalina that after coming out of the water a costume wotdd dry in a few minutes. A fine figure of strapping manhood was Sandy Norton, as he balanced on the rail of the yacht. A girlish voice made Bumpy look round, and his mouth opened wide as he saw Shirley Jameson and several other girls coming towards the yacht. " Sandy," he hissed, but his warning was just too late. The youngster dived into the sea. The girls, talking excitedly, came on board, and Bumpy's heart sank when he heard the -> topic of conversation. Shirley was telling them all about the sinking of the rowing-boat, her dramatic rescue, and they were askihg many questions. He leaned over the side and made futile efforts to attract his buddy, who had .climbed on to the other yacht. Sandy squared his shoulders as the girls clustered round him. Could he show them some more dives. "Sure!" cried Sandy, and did a double somersault. He came up near the girl, who had hinted that he could not swim. "Aren't you the guy that Shirley Jameson saved from drowning?" Sandy trod water, and his truculent voice carried clearly. ". Lady, I'm a fish in the water. I was champion of the Navy last year. I've just landed here. I came over with a goofy old millionaire's daughter. She ran down my boat, and I pretended I Every Tuesday couldn't swim. I kidded her into jump- ing overboard to save me. She still thinks I can't swim—can you beat that for a big laugh?" He laughed hilariously. "She's out getting her rich poppa to give me a swell job." Shirley Jameson was leaning over the rail and staring down at the speaker. Her pretty lips were set in a tight line, and her blue eyes were blazing with anger. Poor Bumpy clasped his hands together in an attitude of despair. A dig in the ribs from a small hand should have warned Sandy. "Hey, want me to duck you?" he shouted at the girl swimming beside him. "What you making all those faces for? You feeling sick?" "You'll feel sick very soon," said a cold, hard voice above him. Sandy Norton looked up and the smiles vanished from his face. One glance was sufficient to tell him that she had heard everything. He attempted to grin, but it was a poor effort. " Thought I'd have a swim—I mean, a bathe. It's hot," he mumbled. "I have no words fit to describe what I think of you!'.'' snapped Shirley. "You'ro the most despicable cur I've ever met. I got you a job, but now that's through. You're fired!" " Yeah, and we're sunk," muttered Bumpy.. Without a w,c.rd Sandy climbed on board, picked up ,his clothes, hesitated as if he would speak to the girl, then, with a surly frown,,stamped moodily up the gangway to the. wharf. Sandy's Great Idea. SOME hours later the boys stood on a long pier at which were docked a number of speed-boats. They were marked with the name of Jameson as owner. Both lads were feeling de- pressed because not many minutes before they had had a few words with the local police. The vagabond, hobo type were not wanted on Catalina Island, and Messrs Sandy and Bumpy would oblige the authorities by being ort' the island within twelve hours, unless they could find themselves a job by that time. If they did not find a job and were still on the island they would sleep in gaol. "I've got a kinda liking for this dump," opined Sandy. "Wish I could figure out how to get a job or some money." Two women came on to the pier. One of them approached Sandy, and in her hand was a dollar note. " We want to go for a trip round the harbour, please." "I'm sorry, lady, but " But a vicious kick from Sandy finished Bumpy's remarks. " You want to go for a trip round the harbour?" Sandy spoke slowly. "Lady, if I can get a full boat the boss will let me make a special trip. Bumpy, show' 'em to a seat. The Firefly." "But, Sandy," moaned the small lad, "if the " "Shurrup, you sap!" Sandy pushed his unwilling confederate. "Get to it and leave this to me. Get those boats started, the Firefly and the Golden Arrow. If we work fast maybe we can grab off enough coin to get off this island in comfort." " We'll go to gaol if they catch us with these boats." "We're going to gaol, anyway," sneered Sandy. " What's the difference ?" Sandy pushed his buddy down the stairs, hitched up his trousers, anil launched his scheme with great bold- ness. "Step right up, folks! Ride in a real racing boat in a real race. If you're