Pictures and the Picturegoer (April - September 1915)

1 NOINC .It l.\ 17. 1915 291 PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOF.R (SDBIL ®P THB (SOIL® Jesse L. Lasky production featuring Miss Van Buren. Controlld by J. D. Walkers World's Films, Limited. Adapted from the Film by PATRICK GLYNN. THE ; ear '49 was the era of the (fold rash, the period when men fonght, drank, starred, grew rich in n uight, tnd became beggars again after a risil to the gambling saloon, [twasa period when men I'm I and women became heroines. It was a strange crew that travelled along the dusty bridle paths between the canons of California. Jt comprised hundreds of men and some women. and children. Ox-w tggons, resembling those used by trekking Boers, with an awning on canes to protect the travellers from the son during the day and to act as a screen al night, were most in eviden A few were mounted On wirj ponies, but all, whether Americans, Mexicans, or English, had the hnugry look typical of the gold-hunters. One little group circled round the Girl whose saloon-bar attracted the luckiest df the gold-diggers. The Girl suited her environment. She was slightly under the medium height even for a girl, but she was strongly built, with a full, pleasant face that could harden menacingly when liberties were attempted, and in a tight corner could, with true feminine diplomacy, pla] off cue rough customer by appealing to another. To interfere with the Girl meant a general "mix up" and a few quick funerals. "Which particular spot would you like it. paid:-'" was the laconic invitation when the Girl was insulted. The gentleman in\ ited then found the muzzle of a revolver pointing straight at his heart, and if he was quick he got clear. Al! loved the Girl in their own peculiar way, l>nt several were more favoured than the rest. Ranee, the shaggylooking but lion-hearted sheriff, who represented the law among the miners, fancied he was the Don Juan of the party: hut the girl merely laughed at him; her heart was still untouched. The saloon served the purpose o! .1 dancing-hall also. When tired of play, ing cards the miners formed into pairs and danced round to the strains of a mouth-organ, until this thirsty occupation drove them tothe counter to gargle their throats. Often the Girl left her hired man to serve the thirsty ones whilst she danced round in company with her customers. There was no standing on ceremony at the Polka Saloon, over which the Girl played the part of landlady. But the life galled on her sometimes. It was all very well being the pet of the miners, who trusted her so much that every time they male a haul of gold dust they placed it in her charge until the stage-coach called to take it tothe bank at the nearest town. She 1 raged for something more refined. She was making money herself, and some time or other she would leave this wild life altogether, and go back to the cities of the East. But she did not kn.vv that the glamour of the golden West was in her own lilo.d as well as in the miners', and thai it only required the call of love to make her own life complete. Only one face stood out in her memory. Jt was that of a cleanshaven, strong-featured look ing stranger she had encountered by the stream a mile away from the camp). He had halted for a rest. He looked tired, and was suffering from a wound in the arm which the girl helped to bathe. He had smiled and thanked the Girl for her kindness, and then ridden away hurriedly after telling her that his name was Dick Johnson and that he came from Sacramento. That was a week ago, and she wished he had said something more about himself. Mabel Buren was the most surprised girl in California when she saw the stranger stroll into her saloon and call for a drink. The recognition was mutual, and without any preliminary manoeuvring the pair drifted into an animated conversation. There was one listener near the bar who regarded the new visitor with lively suspicion. H« was not in a particularly good humour His face had just been slapped by the Girl for attempting to steal a kiss. This man was Ranee, the sheriff, and as the visitor was a stranger it was the sheriffs function to find out who he was befortt accepting his company. To his inquiry the stranger retnrned a mrcastic rejoinder. "" This man declines to say who he is! " said the sheriff, calling to others, who rushed in. That was enough. A dozen men circled threateningly round the unknown man. Mining rules forbade intercourse with strangers until they had given their bund fiileS. This district was infested by highwaymen, and only the previous week a stage coach had been held up, and the miners" hoard robbed by the notorious Kamerrez. whom the sheriff was specially selected to run to earth. Things looked ugly for the newcomer, until the Girl pushed herself to tho front. " 1 vouch for Mr. Johnson,"' she said, angrily'. " He is a friend of mine." Then the miners changed their tune, and invited Johnson to their dance in the next room. Johnson looked at the Girl, who nodded, and. coming from behind the bar. "partnered " him in tho rough-and-tumble miners' dance. Ranee was left alone, smoking moodily; but a few minutes later ho shook himself into action. He had business on hand, and calling to >,,me of the dancers, they went out. mounted their horses, and trotted off. The sheriff had received a not' from one of Ramerrez's party, who had turned traitor