Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1918-Jan 1919)

Q MOTION piCTURp I I MAGAZINE L (Continued from age 130) Nan had the stage set for Weil's reception. She remembered Mazie's roses, tigerskin rug and incense. She garbed herself in her most dashing gown, applied rouge with elaborate care, and then set the trap for Weil. Calling the Community House's caretaker, Manus Mulligan, to her, she told him her plans. Manus readily consented "to do anything to help Mr. Walsham." "That Weil will be a surprised gentleman when I step out, that he will," grinned Manus. Nancy placed Mulligan in a closet of her room. Then she waited. A stealthy knock sounded at the door, and Nan, radiant in decollete, smiled Weil into the room. "I was afraid you wouldn't come," she said. "I'd dare anything for you," he said, as he seated himself on the lounge. Nan thoughtfully recalled Mazie's instructions as to lolling soulfully. "I'm becoming a graduate vamp," she said to herself. Weil soon began to follow up his imaginary advantage. "We're both unhappily married," he declared. "Let's slip away from Ore Junction. Your husband will be out of a job after tonight, for the miners are going to strike and demand their rights. They're in an ugly mood and may even wreck Community House. They hate your husband because they believe he is wasting their money on an actress, even if you are his wife." "A strike?" questioned Nan. "I cant believe that the men will strike " "I know," repeated Weil, vaingloriously. "I know because / called the strike." "You have a wonderful power over the men," continued Nan, trying to draw out Weil further. She paused thoughtfully. "How do they have such faith in you?" "Money does it," sneered Weil. "Money — well placed, as I know how to do it — does anything. I have plenty of it. That's why we can go away together. My work is finished here." "Suppose I should go away with you, what assurances have I that you will be faithful? Besides, I'm an extravagant little person." "Never fear," protested Weil. ''11 tell you a secret: I'm in the employ of John Fleming. He has unlimited resources. Some day I'll tell you the source of his money. One thing I can tell you — it is without lirnit." The noise of a passing crowd of miners came from the street. A sudden idea came to Nan. Going to the window, she cautiously raised the shade without attracting Weil's attention. Then she took her place by his side. Weil put his arms about her, and she permitted herself to slip close beside him. Remembering that she must save Bob at any cost, she even permitted the labor leader to kiss her. At the same time she listened to the gathering, muttering crowd of miners outside of Community House. The brightly lighted room had caught their eye, as she guessed it would, and the miners were fast growing infuriated with the perfidy of their leader. Altho Nan did not realize it, things were fast reaching a climax in the street outside. "He's a helluva a fine leader, he is !" angrily exclaimed "Big Jaw'* Smead, a leader of the miners' labor union. "Only a day or two back he was guffing about Walsham wasting our money on that woman. Now he's doing the same thing." "Lemme tell you somethin', 'Big Jaw,' " growled another miner, "let's get Weil's woman. She'll fix him up good and proper." 132 Afi£ The miners dispatched one of their number for Mrs. Weil, who speedily arrived on the scene. A scrawny, jealous little woman, Mrs. Weil fairly sobbed with anger at the sight within Community House. She pulled herself away from the miners and dashed into the place. The miners crowded after her. The woman hurled herself into Nan's room. "What're you doing with my man, you hussy?" she demanded. Nan jumped to her feet in amazement. She had not considered Weil's wife in her plans to trap the man. "You're a fine one to be married to a settlement leader, a fine one, you " But before she finished her denunciation Bob, accompanied by his uncle, pushed his way thru the miners. "What's all this, Nan?" Bob asked. "What's this?" repeated Mrs. Weil. "I'll tell you what it is. Your wife has my man with her." Bob turned in amazement to his bride. "It was all a plan to trap Weil, Bob, dear," began Nan. "He is getting the miners to strike tonight and trying to incite them to wreck Community House. I was suspicious and wanted to find out. I invited him here and — and " "A pretty story!" sneered Mrs. Weil. "Planned to trap Phil, eh ? Any one's a fool to believe that story." Nan went to the closet door. "Come out, Manus," she said, and Mulligan stepped into the room. "Isn't what I say true, Manus?" she asked. "It is, ma'am. I've been there every minute, and I heard every word. Weil said he was calling a strike and that he was in the pay of that Mr. Fleming. Sure he wanted the missus to run away with him." Bob tried to reach Weil, but the surprised miners held him back. Just then two men — strangers — pushed their way thru the crowd into the room. "Philip Weil," said one of them, advancing to the labor agitator's side. Weil paled. The stranger took a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. "Mr. Weil, you're wanted by Uncle Sam." "We're Secret Service men," explained the stranger. "We have been watching Weil for some time. He's a paid tool of Fleming, who is a German spy. It's going to go hard with them both." The news spread thru the crowd of miners, out into the throng in the hall, and finally into the street. German spies ! They had almost been tricked by Hun agents ! "We'll lynch him, boys !" shouted one of the miners. "No, men, let the law take its course," said Bob, firmly. "You can depend upon Uncle Sam meting out justice." So the two Secret Service men pushed their way thru the throngs with the trembling Weil. "Three cheers for Mrs. Walsham !" shouted "Big Jaw" Smead, and the miners took up the cheer with a vim. Then they pushed their way from the room. Bob, Nan and their uncle finally were alone. "How did you get him to confess, Nan?" asked Uncle James. "I vamped him !" laughed the bride. "You're a brainy little siren, thank the Lord !" admitted uncle. And he turned his back as Nan threw herself into Bob's outstretched arms. But uncle winced palpably as he heard Nan's resonant and hearty kisses — far too hearty for even a siren. But Bob whispered, "You're the dearest little vamp in all the world !" The Answer Man (Continued from page 119) G. R. F. D. — To select well among old things is almost equal to inventing new ones. Private George F. Pollock, 366210, 1st Prov. Co., C. A. C, Camp Joseph, Johnston, Fla., would like to hear from some of the girls. William Courtleigh, Jr., in "Miss U. S. A." Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew in "Pay Day." Gladys Leslie in "The Soap Girl." Sweet Pickles. — Grief counts the seconds ; happiness forgets the hours. You refer to Benjamin Chapin, the Lincoln impersonator, who died recently. No, that isn't the way to look at it. You must stand on your head, because you appear to see everything upside down. The Masked Marvel. — What makes the water wet? Splash! Yes, that was Louise Glaum in "The Wolf Woman." "Up Romance Road" is William Russell's latest. It deals with love, adventure and all that sort of stuff-, so it ought to be good. Gladys L. — But isn't every form of human life romantic? Youth indulges in hope and old age in remembrance. Very little is known of the interior of the earth, except that it is supposed to be a molten mass. The aggregate thickness of the strata rock layers, as far as known, is less than thirty miles. You want a picture of William Hart's wife-to-be. Not sure that she will play. Harold Goodwin in "The Sawdust Ring." Marion Mac. — Dont be like the man who married in haste and repented in Nevada. Your letter was very interesting. We learn wisdom by the follies of others. Commander Ferdinand Foch is commander-in-chief of the Allied forces on the western front. Do Tell. — That's what I'm here for. Your letter was interesting. James Cruze with Paramount, Henry Gsell with World. I know that, too, but he who deals with a blockhead has need of much brains. Please dont think I mean you. Do Tell me some more. Yutzo. — Elliott Dexter is back with Lasky for another year. Leah Baird is being featured in a serial. Dont be so suspicious ; suspicion is always worse than fact. So you are placing your hopes in a Ouija-board. Well, there are worse follies than that. Rest is for the head — you need rest. Lord Helpus.— Why, yes, there is a John Harwood with Mutual. Alan Forrest in "A Bit of Jude." Yes, send the picture on, but I wont be able to use it. You may admire me, but dont adore. Curses ! Blanche Sweet will play in "The Hushed Hour" for Harry Garson. Milton Sills, Mary Anderson, Rosemary Theby, Harry Northrup and Wilfred Lucas make up the cast. It will be taken in the Fine Arts studio at Hollywood. There is a time when patience becomes a virtue. Take heed. Iona Ford. — Have you still got it? B. S. Moss is a Motion Picture and vaudeville manager. You say it is nonpatriotic to be fat, but it is tragic to be as thin as Norma Talmadge. Tut, tut ! Not so strong! No, indeed, I do not think it is ladylike and becoming to see a woman smoke. I am not a prude, but I cant see any grace in a woman smoking. Dr. Johnson says that the worst way of being intimate is by scribbling. Sobeit. Mischief E. — Crane Wilbur's latest is "The Finger of Justice," released thru Arrow Film Co. I had a heated argument today about the same subject, but to discuss an opinion with a fool is like carrying a lantern before a blind man. Oh, say not so !