Picture Show (Nov 1919-Apr 1920)

WSe Picture Skoic, March VUh, 1920. boy. You stick to Bill Graham's old shop, take my George's place, poor lad ! Want a smart chap like you abaht. It'll pay you a jolly sight better than play actin'. That's Sylvie's stunt." Bill bustled out again into the shop. Richard's face was a study. "I sayt you are good to it ic I " he said impulsively to Sylvia. "Why?" There was a mist in her eyes. So lovable did she look that Richard leaned impulsively forward and kissed her on the lips. He hardly realised what he had donp until her voice reached him in a tremulous whisper: "Oh, Dick, do you love me?" It never occurred to Sylvia that any man would kiss her unless he loved her. A kiss was either a priceless gift or an insult. And Richard He read her thoughts; his face was pale. Sylvia had nursed him, mothered him and saved him, and he had obeyed a momentary impulse — and kissed her lightly. Kissed her like a cad. The old traditions of his race came back to him, the debt of chivalry to a woman. "Will you marry me, Sylvia?" She looked at him as if she saw her king. Her hands fluttered towards him, and she nestled in his arms. In Love. SYLVIA was up early the next morning: she was too deliriously happy to lie in bed. Richard arrived down a little before old Bill. He kissed Sylvia gravely, but. fortunately for her own peace of mind, sue was far too much enchanted with her Prince Charming to be in a critical mood. " Oh, Dick, I wish I hadn't to go to the sludios to-day !" she said impulsively. " I simply hate being away from you !" "I'm afraid I'm rather a bad bargain, kiddie. Suppose if you became a great star, earning a big income, with a waster like me for a husband, only fit to do odd jobs for vour father." She closed his lips with her hand. " Nonsense, Dickie !" she said. " I shall always consider myself the very luckiest girl in the world !" She took her coat and hat from the peg behind the door. Richard followed on her heels, and he waved his hand gaily when she walked out into the busy street. In the studio, Robert Nigel was waiting for her. ' " By Jove, Miss Graham," you do look line !" he said involuntarily. " I've got something to tell you, and something to ask you. I want you to have dinner with me one evening." ' Svlvia coloured. ""Mr. Nigel, I don't " " You mustn't refuse me," he said firmly. "What night will you come?" '_' I'll let you know to-morrow." •' That's all right," said Nigel. Secretly, he was amused and yet all (he more charmed with Sylvia. He did not know of another girl who would not have jumped at his offer. "I'm casting you for a bigger part, ".he added carelessly. " I want to push you ahead." Ilis voice shook, and suddenly, in spite of Sylvia's mi worldliness, she knew the truth. Robert Nigel the great producer loved her ! "I'm going to make you famous," said Nigel earnestly. Sylvia grew pale, and Richard's words came back to her with dull Foreboding : " Suppose if you became a great star, earning a big salary, with a waster like me for a husband !" If Richard knew her chance had come, his pride would step in. He would never permit himself to ruin her career. "He must never know!" Sylvia thought desperately. " And Mr. Nigel must not know what Dick is to me !" In her agitation, she nervously clasped and unclasped her hands. Nigel was watching her expressive, telltale features. He might have read her thoughts, for he said bluntly: "Everything has ita price. Miss Sylvia You must forget thai chop Blake!" (Another thrillins instalment of this powerful Cory n ;xt w:ek ) Dainty BILLIE RHODES Queen of Comedy on the Screen. ALTHOUGH Billy Rhodes has announced her intention of leaving the screen, luckily for us she has made quite a number that are finding their way over here, so for a time, at any rate we shall still be able to see her on the pictures. Her career on the stage is a romance of the triumph of youth, she having entered upon her work before the footlights when only seventeen years of age. '" Dainty Billie," while a lover of al! outdoor sports, claims none in particular for a hobby. In fact, anything that might be classified under such a name is entirely foreign to her nature, for she declares that there are so many other things of greater interest and importance to occupy her leisure moments, that it seems little short of absurd to waste time ,on inconsequent things. All of which is decidedly unique in the annals of film players in general. But she has, however, a passionate love for animals, and i3 the proud possessor of two beautiful puppies, several kittens of the angora species, and birds galore, including mockers, canaries, and parrots. But most of all she loves her dogs, and well sho may. for they are wonderful specimens of doghood. One, a Boston bull, in the thoroughbred class, is christened Buddie, and the other is a Spitz named Mickey, both being her constant companions wherever she goes. Her rest time at home. She has learnt to 11 v.