The Picture Show Annual (1928)

80 Picture Show Annual " WITH HIS OWN EYES " (ContinurJ from page 78.) see on the screen are real, do you ? That scene you saw was acted before about forty people, to say nothing of camera-men and the producer. Do be sensible." I saw you," repeated George, whose obtuseness seemed to grow thicker every second. " But you've seen about eighty other girls being made love to as well as me," expostulated Lucille. " George, you don't really believe all you see on the films ? " " No," said George, " of course not. But," he added sententiously, " ' He who touches pitch must be defiled,' you know. I don't say that actual scene was true, but you don't kid me there wasn't something be- hind it. If you'd kiss a man like that before forty people, you'd kiss him when there wasn t anyone around, I know." His utter unreasonableness was too much for Lucille, and the last shreds of her patience vanished. " George," she said, " you're ridiculous ! " " You can't fool me," said George. " But, dear, I swear to you on my honour I never had any flirtation with that ' Mexican ' at all ; it was all acting, the whole of it, honestly it was. " Prove it ! " said George, and added, as she remained silent : " You can't. I thought so. I see what sort of a girl you are now. I've been deceived long enough." Lucille stopped dead on the pavement. She was shaking with anger, and her beautiful face was pale with suppressed fury and indignation. " Look here, George," she said, " I won't have you talking to me like this. If you must have proof against your perfectly outrageous accusations you shall. We H go and call on Mr. Lorraine to-morrow. I can find his address in the telephone-book. He was the man who played the Mexican, and he'll tell you exactly what I am. The whole suggestion is absurd ! " George looked at her doubtfully. " You wouldn t dare to go, he said. " I'm a good mind to make you." Dare to go ! said Lucille, with rising scorn. " My dear George, I insist upon going, and you re coming, too ! " George said nothing, but there was surprise in his eyes. He had never seen Lucille roused before. The Ascending Star. LARRY LORRAINE sat by his writing desk in the long, low, beautiful room that was his study, and surveyed the girl who sat before him. He was one of those dark-haired, blue-eyed Irishmen who are handsome in a way entirely different from any other nation in the world. Tall and slight, there was a certain ease about him that was marvellously attractive, and there was a quiet kindliness in his face that Lucille found very soothing. Somewhere downstairs a door banged violently. Larry chuckled. " That s George," he said, and added hastily, as he saw her altered expression. " I say, I'm sorry, I hope I haven t made him really angry. I didn t dream he d go bolting off like that." Lucille shook her head. " It doesn't matter," she said faintly. " I — I hop* you—you didn't mind us coming here like this, did you ? Only—well, it seemed the only way to convince him." " Not at all—rather not "—there wis no mistaking the genuineness in his voice. " I—er—have convinced him now, I think," he added, and his white teeth flashed at her in a smile. Lucille nodded. Yes, she said. " I think so. Your amazement was so genuine you seemed so—so shocked—thank you very much." She rose to go on the last words and her shoulders drooped a little. Larry sprang to his feet and took her hand in his. I—I say, ' he said awkwardly, " I haven t overdone things, have I—I mean I haven t spoilt things for you ? I—I haven't sent him packing for good and all ? I'm sorry, only the chap's assumptions riled me like fun. I had to let out at him." Lucille thought of George—saw him once again stalk- ing out of the room in a misguided attempt to look dignified. She smiled. If he has it doesn't matter,'' she said. Larry sat down again, and sighed with relief. 1 m glad of that, he said. " Do you know, when I first saw you come in with that chap I felt things were all wrong somehow—then when you stated your quarrel. I thought you were joking. Then when he started talking I thought I was mad—there s not time for a chump like that. Miss Chalmers." Lucille smiled at him shyly. That was just what she was thinking. " Tell me," he said suddenly, " what are you doing now? I haven't seen you at the studios. No ' —she shook her head. " No ; I'm working in an office. Work was too scarce for me at the studio. I had to give it up or starve." He nodded sympathetically. I know. I felt that. Only I've had a run of luck lately. I ve starred in a film or so. The folk seem to like me, and things are looking up. D you know. I am glad you came to see me. I've often wondered what had become of you. Now we have met again we 11 keep up the acquaintance, won't we? " Lucille smiled at him once more, and again held out her hand to say good-bye. He took it and then paused as an idea occurred to him. I say, where are you going now ? " Home, said Lucille, a little dully, as a vision of her cold lodgings with possibly a visitation from an irate George in the evening rose up in her mind. The young film star hesitated no longer. " You re fed up," he said, " I can see it. I don t blame you. That chap was potty. Let's go out and eat and dance somewhere just to cheer ourselves up. shall we ? Lucille hesitated. Larry stood before her. boyish, kindly, and eager. If she went it meant the end of her engagement to George, she knew, but somehow that did not worry her much. Suddenly she smiled up at the young film star. I'd just love it," she said. And they went. (Continued on page 96.)