The Picture Show Annual (1927)

100 Picture Show Annual “cvMINNIE OF MOONLIGHT ALLEY” (Continued from page 98.) As she did so the elder of the two, whom she recog- nised from a photograph in Mary’s room as Kenneth Van Munich, the famous producer, looked up. To her embarrassment, he started back as if he had seen a ghost and clutched the other man’s arm. “ Good heavens ! ” he said aloud. Pamela blushed hotly, and, dropping her eyes, attempted to pass. Another exclamation from Van Munich interrupted her. “ Gosh ! ” he said. " She’s real ! I—I thought I was going off my head. Who are you ? ” Since the last remark was obviously directed at her, Pamela looked at him. “ My name is Pamela May,” she said rather helplessly. To her further astonishment, the producer stood staring at her, eyeing her up and down—now standing back, now peering into her face. ” It’s a miracle ! ” he said at last, and with perfect solemnity. ” A real Heaven-sent miracle ! There she is—just as we want her—face, figure, expression, clothes even—even—”—he laughed a little hysterically—“ even the parcel.” The other man nodded ; he looked almost scared and his eyes had an expression of disbelief in them. It’s wonderful ! ” he said softly, as if in the presence of something strange and marvellous. “ Just wonderful! ” Pamela began to feel that she was in the presence of two lunatics, and she swallowed hard and cleared her throat. ” I—I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she said hesitantly. The producer, who had been staring at her in rapt delight, pulled himself together with a start. “ Why, ” he said, in a voice that was peculiarly kindly with its rough American accent, “ of course you don’t, Miss—Miss May. You think we’re right off our heads, I guess. But I don’t think you’ll believe me when I tell you that I’ve been looking for months for a girl we could dress up just as you’re dressed now. So that she could make an entrance down a flight of steps with just the same expression as you have now, carrying just the sort of parcel you’re carrying. “ I tell you I’ve searched Hollywood, searched America, for that girl. I thought I’d found her ; but now when we come to try her she’s no good. I was coming up here, feeling just mad, and—and then I looked up and 1 saw— her. The girl in the story—the real Minnie of Moonlight Alley. 1—I ”—he laughed—” I thought 1 was seeing things.” There was a pause for a moment, and then he added : “ You’ll come down right away, will you. Miss May ? ” Pamela stared at him, ” You mean you want me to—to act ? ” she said. “ I certainly do,” said Kenneth Van Munich. ” You’re Heaven-sent, I guess. Luck like this doesn’t happen every day, and when it does it’s flying in the face of Providence to disregard it. Whoever you are, you’ve got to accept my contract. You must ! I won’t hear of refusals ! ” Pamela gasped. “ Me to act ! ” she said. “ To play in a big new film ” Van Munich looked up. ” To play ? ” he said. “ I guess you don’t under- stand, little lady. You’re to Star ! ” The Visitor. L ate next evening Pamela crept home, a dazed feeling in her mind. The first day before the camera was over.' The success of it was so stupendous that she could hardly grasp it. Van Munich was delirious about her—his “ new discovery,” as he called her—and Pamela herself had found a new life—a life which she had only faintly dreamed of before. The life of pretence. The life of imagination ; the life of acting. She was a born actress. It seemed to come bubbling out of her, a new gift, a new marvellous accomplishment, and it was appreciated. As she sat down before the fire in the quiet little flat, she realised that it meant success assured. Fame, money, everything one could desire. It was stupefying ! Too gloriously wonderful to be believed all in one breath. But, as she sat there staring at the fire, the old ache in her heart began to make itself felt again. Bertie had gone—run away with Mary—without telling her even or sending a word, and she had loved him so. Her lips quivered in spite of herself, and the tears forced themselves between her closed eyelids. Somehow all this success seemed very little beside that. For how long she sat there in the dusk before the knock came she never knew, but as soon as it did come a thrill ran through her heart as if by magic. She opened the door timorously, hesitantly almost. It was he. Somehow, she had known that all the time. He stood staring at her for a moment, and then, some- how, they were together in the little hall. He was kneeling, with his arms about her waist and his face pressed close against her. “ Oh, my dear—my dear ! ” he said. “ Forgive me. I must have been mad. But I’d been out of a job for so long that when Jules’ offer came it seemed the only way out. But on the train Mary confessed to me that she had not given you my message, and she told me that you thought I cared for her. I couldn’t stand that, Pam, so I came right along back.” ” But Mary ? ” she said anxiously. ” What will happen to Mary ? ” The boy laughed a little harshly. “ You need not trouble about her, she is well able to take care of herself. Jules will find her another dan- cing partner, that is all,” he said grimly. " She told me that she had had to beg him to take me when I talked about coming back. She is quite sure of her own success on the Halls. ” The man drew her close to him. “ I’ll work for you, Pam, and make good,” he said tremulously. ” I don’t mind what they give me to do. I’ll make money somehow, and we will get married. Pamela wiped her eyes, and then she tried to smile. “ You do love me, Bert ? ” The boy caught her to his heart. ” You know I do, Pam,” he said. “ There was never anyone else but you. But come along and let s sit down. I’ve such a lot to tell you, sweetheart. ” Pam linked her arm through his, and a happy little laugh broke from her lips. “ So have I, Bertie,” she said. And she certainly had. THE END