Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1923-Jan 1924)

(U "MOTION PICTURF I I MAGAZINE L "I'd like to help." Armistead began gently. Susie shook her head. How could she tell him that she was crying because she couldn't tell Phil Garner in so many words that she wasn't married to Val Collins, that she wasn't responsible for Mrs. Beck's jealousy of her husband, that she wasn't Magda Basarov but Susie Treadwell, with whom he had fallen in love — at least a little in love? Armistead waved the paper. And now Susie saw that he was pale and upset. "Magda isn't coming back," he said. "She's never coming back." "What?" Susie cried. "I've just had this cable — she says : Shall not return to America. This is final. Letter follows." Susie burst into tears. Susie sobbed as if her heart were broken. "Look here," Armistead was saying, "there's no reason why you should cry. What on earth's the matter with you, anyway?" Susie shook her head, her face buried in her handkerchief. "Come," Armistead said, "snap out of it. My heart's busted but yours isn't. You're all right. You can keep on being Magda till the two months are up. just the same." "I dont want to be Magda," Susie cried. "I hate being Magda." "You hate being Magda?" "Yes," Susie said. "I cant bear it. I cant stand it another week. I want to be S-s-susie T-treadwell again." "But you're getting paid a hundred a week," Armistead protested, "and " "I wouldn't do it again for a thousand a week," Susie retorted. "Not for two thousand. Not for any amount." 'Good Lord," said Armistead, "it isn't as bad as all that." It's killing me." "It is," Susie said. "It's horrible. t 32 oe. Armistead walked back and forth across the room in the way he had when he was thinking. "You've had a bad twenty-four hours. You're tired. It's been a strain. But you'll feel differently tomorrow. You're upset now." Susie said nothing. She wouldn't explain. "Look here," he continued. "I've got to run into town as fast as I can and tell Riegelman the whole story." "Who's Riegelman?" Susie asked. "He's the president of Quadrangle Film. He's got to know all about it right away. After all — he's got a big investment in Magda Basarov. And it looks to me as if he stands to lose every nickel of it." "But why," Susie cried. "Why does she act this way? What does it mean ?" Armistead walked back and forth, his mouth set in a grim line. "It means," he said finally, "that she's in love with Val Collins — she's thrown everything overboard— her career as an actress, her income, her reputation — everything she has— for that damned burglar." Susie looked at Armistead. He seemed cut to the heart. But why? After all there was something handsome in such a gesture as Magda Basarov's, something generous and human. You might question her wisdom. But you could hardly question the warmth of her heart. Whatever the consequences to herself, Susie admired Magda Basarov. Was Armistead so lost to humanity that he could see only the money loss? Was Armistead sold to success at all costs ? "I rather envy her the courage," Susie said. "But think of the life he'll lead her !" Armistead cried. "She wont mind so much — if she loves him," Susie said. "After all money isn't everything." "It is when you haven't got it," said Armistead bitterly. "Just remember how you felt that evening I found you in Bryant Park" "I know," Susie admitted. "It was sort of awful. But I dont know any reason why Magda should ever be as broke as that. And besides, she has the man she loves." "Yes." Armistead said, and for the first time Susie saw the pain in his face. "So — that's it. You're in love with her yourself." Armistead shot a glance at her. "Yes." he said. Susie jumped up, laid her hand on his arm. "I'm sorry." she said softly. "Awfully, awfully sorry." Armistead smiled, a slow, half -bitter, half -comic smile. Then he shook his shoulders, as if to shake off the memory of Magda Basarov. "It's time I forgot her. There never was any chance — really. Now I know there isn't." He pr.used, frowning. Armistead waved the paper. And now Susie saw he was pale and upset. "Magda isn't coming back," he said. "She's never coming back"