Picture Show (Nov 1919-Apr 1920)

The Picture Show, January lift, 1920. 17 JUST ME ffixkPfo&fe's' otto*, d/e Sfory '^y learl WKite How the Story Commenced. In the preceding chapters of her delightfully frank story, Pearl White sketched the history of her early childhood. They were not altogether happy days, for money was scarce in the household, and her ,> mother, who was * always very delis cate, died soon after her birth. Pearl was always getting into mischief. Her father married again when she was six years old. When she was twelve years ojld, her brother, who was her greatest pal, left home and joined the navy. At the age of thirteen, Pearl decided to join a circus that came to her district, and later on she joined a touring company. But her early clt'orts were not too successful. Next, Pearl was offered a job as a stewardess on a boat. Sea life did not agree with her, and she went on the stage, touring in Cuba, Buenos Aires, Kansas City, Tennessee, and Kansas. Then her voice began to go. and a woman advised her to try to get on "the pictures," and eventually she saves enough money for a trip to England. An acquaintance gives her an introduction to lus friend in London whom he called Bobby, saying "He is a silly fellow, but I'm sure he will amuse jftu." ("You eaiTnow read on.) PEARL WHITE. Pearl White in London. OF course, I was sure too ; besides, I was perfectly content to just sit there and look at him, and the more he wrote the longer I could look. Silly, isn't it ? jTe accompanied mo out to the taxi, wished mo hon voyage, and told me to be sure and write and tell him how I liked his friends. There I guess the incident ended for him, but not for me. , Those letters — I looked at them, dozens of times on the boat. They were all addressed to Baron, Duke or Count, etc. ; there wasn't a Mister En the whole bunch, and worse luck, they were all written in French, and signed merely " Rep," meaning nothing to me. Now I had read of dukes, count?, etc., but nover imagined they were so plentiful, and I couldn't quite believe that one man could know so many. I was afraid some joke was being . played upon me. Nevertheless, I was going to present at least duo of them, so that I could write to " Bop." If it were true, and I could meet so many peoplo with titles — well, that sounded very grand to me. 1 think I was trying to get a little snobbish in my thoughts of the future. Speaking of titles, there was a young fellow on board who had been very attentive to me, but for some reason or other I did not like him much. I thought his name was just " Smith," until one day he sent a book to my cabin with his card, which read " Mr. Lord Haskin-Smith." What a thrill that handed me — a " lord "— " Mr. Lord " at that. None of my treasured letters were addressed Mr. Baron, Mr. Duke, etc., so I just naturally concluded that " Mr. Lord " was somo one just, that much more important. Well, I brightened up after that, and ~whonever I met " Smith " I was ull smiles and attention. I noticed ho ivscd to look rather funny at my " How do you do, Lord Haskin-Smith ? " But I thought ho was just sort of a strange young man, and I was proud to know him. Oue other on board who plays an important part in this yarn was a colonel — a man who for years had been spoken of as the handsomest man in London. So, with this reputation to his credit, he had wan the hearts of scores of women. But the colonel was now getting old and rather bored with the fair sex. However, somehow he rather took sort of a fatherly fancy to mo, and wo bocame good puis during those seven days on the ocean. So he promised to arrange a lot of parties for me when lie got to London. I didn't know much of London, but I had been told that the Carlton was the smartest hotel thero, and as I had decided to bo " smart," to the Carlton I took myself. The London season was at its height. Of course, the hotels were crowded, and rooms had to be reserved days in advance. I didn't know this, and walked calmly in and wrote my name on the register. Then I received the sad news that there were no rooms to be had. I was in great grief, because I had told " Bep " that that was going to be my address, and I was simple enough to imagine that ho might write me a letter. I guess my face must have shown my disappointment, because an old gentleman, whom I had also mot on the boat, offered to give me "his room, saying that he could bunk with somo friends. Thus fate looked after me once again. Now somehow I always feel more courageous when I am all dressed up in new clothes, so the first move I made was to get myself a new outfit. I went to the best shop in town, where the saleslady, among other things, told me that I looked best in white or black, so I decided to take her tip, and black and white it was straight through. I had to wait several days for the first gown, so I spent these becoming a model tourist and seeing the sights. My first " scenery " was to be delivered at three that afternoon, and I decided I would just stay in bed until then ; but at ten the 'phone rang — my first call. I had sent out my letter of introduction to the Count the night before, and it was he. He asked me to tea that afternoon, saying that he would love to hear news of " Bep." Talk of " Bep " ! What could be sweeter ? Wei', my small room and bath were not big enough to hold me after that conversation, so 1 decided to get out and get some air. I donned one of my American sports suits, and set out for a " hike " to calm down my surging emotions. I was just crossing Pall Mall, bound for Hyde Park, when I was nearly knocked down by a groy racing car containing two young men. 1 dodged it by an inch, and landed in front of a 'bus. i Then I took a step backward and would have encountered another car, only I took a Hying leap and caught on to the back of the grey racer — & la serial — and landed on the tiro rack. "Oh, Miss White!" exclaimed one of the men in the racer. Then I looked down into the smiling face of Lord Haskiu-Sniith. They started to drive mo to tho Park. Howover, before we got there we all decided that we should celebrate the event by having lunch together. They were going to Sunningdalo afterward to play golf, and suggested that I join in a game of golf. I said I would love to — besides, I was all dressed for tho part. Of courso, I didn't know how to play, but I didn't tell them that. Tho chance to spend the afternoon with this man, whom I look to bo an English lord, was not to be sneezed at, so I decided that 1 wouldn't show up for my appoint mont with tho Count, but would slick with him. Golf ! 1 had never even held a club in my hand, but I knew not tho danger of my decep'I ion, Well, tho " lord " loaned me B Pel ol clubs. which I immediately said were much too long for me. I didn't know tho difference, bur, I had to start finding fault in case 1 went all wrong at tho game. " What grip do you use ! " he a^.ked as he teed up my ball. " Grip ? Grip ! Oh, yes, I have one of my own," 1 lied ; and as he stepped aside to let mo drive, 1 continued : " Oh, do shoot first, Lord Haskin-Smith. I get so nervous when anybody watches me." 1 Nervous ! I wanted to see how the trick was done. Now all of you regular golf players know the treachery of this game. So many people play better their first attempt than they do for years afterwards. Perhaps it is because they don't know the horrors of the game, get all nervous and think themselves out of a lot of shots. So, with all the confidence in tho world, I walked bravely up and gave that ball such a clean smack that it went sailing through the air, farther than I have ever driven since (and I have been playing now for nearly, three yearsstraight). " My, what a wonderful drive ' " exclaimed the " lord " . " If you continue like that, 1 can't give you a stroke a hole." I didn't know what that meant, either, but the thing that worried me was when to use the different clubs in the bag (there were eight in all). Therefore, I sneaked my caddy a couple of shillings, and told him to hand me the right club at the right time. Thus I played • on famously for six holes. On the seventh 1 drove a rotten ball. " Do you live in London, Lord HaskinSmith ? " I inquired as we walked toward the fairway. " No," he replied. " I live in Washington." "Washington! Is that a nice place?" I went on. " Well, it's nice enough to be tho capital of the United States. Aren't you kidding me 1 " he laughed. " Oh, then you are an American," I continued, taking a brassio straight into a bunker. The truth dawned upon me. '.' Mr. Lord " — " Lord " was hiJ given name, Haskin was his middle name ; "he was just " Mr. Smit'.," after all, and I had thought I was out with a nobleman. 1 could have kicked myself all over that golf course, but instead I cot all fussed up, took about ten to get out of the bunker, realised w hat a serious game golf is, and was all for getting back to London to meet the count, whom 1 hoped would turn out to be a x-eal one. So I told Smith I was getting very tired, and ho drove me back to London. I never told him of my stupidity concerning my thoughts of him. but I wish I had because he was really an awfully nice fellow with a sense of humour. I hustled into my new gown, which was waiting for me at the hotel. It was a white chiffon affair, with a large fluffy hat to match j and the crowning glory of the outfit was a fa white fox fur. That summer was about the first ono that women began to wear furs in the hot weather'. My fur was expensive and hot. but 1 had to bo in style, so I suffered along with the others, draped it around my neck, and much pleased with my whole appearance dashed down to meet tho count, who was wailing for me in the lobby. The count ! He was a real one, too ; all done up in a high hat, cutaway coat, white spats, and sported a monocle. He was " silly " both iti looks and actions. He kissed my hand with all the ecstasy of his Latin nature, and made mo feel from the first moment that I had made an awful hit with him. And when we walked into the tea-room and tho headwaiter rushed up all smiles, and inquired just which table Monsieur le Count preferred, 1 felt pretty stuck up and aristocratic. Well, I couldn't pronounce the count's name, wo decided that I would call him "Bobby" (his Christian name was Roberta', so " Bobby " it was from then on. We rambled on that afternoon talking of "Bep" as though ho was my bosom friend, and I was ashamed to admit that I didn't even know "Bop's" io.I name. Besides, T was getting a little mo s snobbish, and decided it must be nothing !. than a count, from then on. and I wns sure tl Bep didn't have a titlo or he would have gjgi ed himself as such. iNext itttek Pearl White tells of the tragedy of her tint real luncheon parti/./