merton of the movies-第3章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


ete　walk　to　the　Gashwiler　front　gate。

Here　he　turned　to　regard　the　two…story　brick　house　and　the　square　of　lawn　with　a　concrete　deer　on　one　side　of　the　walk；　balanced　by　a　concrete　deer　on　the　other。　Before　the　gate　was　the　cast…iron　effigy　of　a　small　Negro　in　fantastic　uniform；　holding　an　iron　ring　aloft。　The　Gashwiler　carriage　horse　had　been　tethered　to　this　in　the　days　before　the　Gashwiler　touring　car　had　been　acquired。

〃Dwelling　of　a　country　storekeeper！〃　muttered　Merton。　〃That's　all　you　are！〃

This　was　intended　to　be　scornful。　Merton　meant　that　on　the　screen　it　would　be　recognized　as　this　and　nothing　more。　It　could　not　be　taken　for　the　mansion　of　a　rich　banker；　or　the　country　home　of　a　Wall　Street　magnate。　He　felt　that　he　had　been　keen　in　his　dispraise；　especially　as　old　Gashwiler　would　never　get　the　sting　of　it。　Clod！

Three　blocks　brought　him　to　the　heart　of　the　town；　still　throbbing　faintly。　He　stood；　irresolute；　before　the　Giddings　House。　Chairs　in　front　of　this　hostelry　were　now　vacant　of　loafers；　and　a　clatter　of　dishes　came　through　the　open　windows　of　the　dining　room；　where　supper　was　on。　Farther　down　the　street　Selby　Brothers；　Cigars　and　Confectionery；　would　be　open；　lights　shone　from　the　windows　of　the　Fashion　Pool　Parlour　across　the　way；　the　City　Drug　Store　could　still　be　entered；　and　the　post　office　would　stay　open　until　after　the　mail　from　No。　4　was　distributed。　With　these　exceptions　the　shops　along　this　mart　of　trade　were　tightly　closed；　including　the　Gashwiler　Emporium；　at　the　blind　front　of　which　Merton　now　glanced　with　the　utmost　distaste。

Such　citizens　as　were　yet　abroad　would　be　over　at　the　depot　to　watch　No。　4　go　through。　Merton　debated　joining　these　sight…seers。　Simsbury　was　too　small　to　be　noticed　by　many　trains。　It　sprawled　along　the　track　as　if　it　had　been　an　afterthought　of　the　railroad。　Trains　like　No。　4　were　apt　to　dash　relentlessly　by　it　without　slackening　speed；　the　mail　bag　being　flung　to　the　depot　platform。　But　sometimes　there　would　be　a　passenger　for　Simsbury；　and　the　proud　train　would　slow　down　and　halt　reluctantly；　with　a　grinding　of　brakes；　while　the　passenger　alighted。　Then　a　good　view　of　the　train　could　be　had；　a　line　of　beautiful　sleepers　terminating　in　an　observation　car；　its　rear　platform　guarded　by　a　brass…topped　railing　behind　which　the　privileged　lolled　at　ease；　and　up　ahead　a　wonderful　dining　car；　where　dinner　was　being　served；　flitting　white…clad　waiters；　the　glitter　of　silver　and　crystal　and　damask；　and　favoured　beings　feasting　at　their　lordly　ease；　perhaps　denying　even　a　careless　glance　at　the　pitiful　hamlet　outside；　or　at　most　looking　out　impatient　at　the　halt；　or　merely　staring　with　incurious　eyes　while　awaiting　their　choice　foods。

Not　one　of　these　enviable　persons　ever　betrayed　any　interest　in　Simsbury　or　its　little　group　of　citizens　who　daily　gathered　on　the　platform　to　do　them　honour。　Merton　Gill　used　to　fancy　that　these　people　might　shrewdly　detect　him　to　be　out　of　place　theremight　perhaps　take　him　to　be　an　alien　city　man　awaiting　a　similar　proud　train　going　the　other　way；　standing；　as　he　would；　aloof　from　the　obvious　villagers；　and　having　a　manner；　a　carriage；　an　attire；　such　as　further　set　him　apart。　Still；　he　could　never　be　sure　about　this。　Perhaps　no　one　ever　did　single　him　out　as　a　being　patently　of　the　greater　world。　Perhaps　they　considered　that　he　was　rightly　of　Simsbury　and　would　continue　to　be　a　part　of　it　all　the　days　of　his　life；　or　perhaps　they　wouldn't　notice　him　at　all。　They　had　been　passing　Simsburys　all　day；　and　all　Simsburys　and　all　their　peoples　must　look　very　much　alike　to　them。　Very　wella　day　would　come。　There　would　be　at　Simsbury　a　momentous　stop　of　No。　4　and　another　passenger　would　be　in　that　dining　car；　disjoined　forever　from　Simsbury；　and　he　with　them　would　stare　out　the　polished　windows　at　the　gaping　throng；　and　he　would　continue　to　stare　with　incurious　eyes　at　still　other　Simsburys　along　the　right　of　way；　while　the　proud　train　bore　him　off　to　triumphs　never　dreamed　of　by　natural…　born　villagers。

He　decided　now　not　to　tantalize　himself　with　a　glance　at　this　splendid　means　of　escape　from　all　that　was　sordid。　He　was　still　not　a　little　depressed　by　the　late　unpleasantness　with　Gashwiler；　who　had　thought　him　a　crazy　fool；　with　his　revolver；　his　fiercely　muttered　words；　and　his　holding　aloft　of　a　valuable　dummy　as　if　to　threaten　it　with　destruction。　Well；　some　day　the　old　grouch　would　eat　his　words；　some　day　he　would　be　relating　to　amazed　listeners　that　he　had　known　Merton　Gill　intimately　at　the　very　beginning　of　his　astounding　career。　That　was　bound　to　come。　But　to…night　Merton　had　no　heart　for　the　swift　spectacle　of　No。　4。　Nor　even；　should　it　halt；　did　he　feel　up　to　watching　those　indifferent；　incurious　passengers　who　little　recked　that　a　future　screen　idol　in　natty　plush　hat　and　belted　coat　amusedly　surveyed　them。　To…night　he　must　be　alonebut　a　day　would　come。　Resistless　Time　would　strike　his　hour！

Still　he　must　wait　for　the　mail　before　beginning　his　nightly　study。　Certain　of　his　magazines　would　come　to…night。　He　sauntered　down　the　deserted　street；　pausing　before　the　establishment　of　Selby　Brothers。　From　the　door　of　this　emerged　one　Elmer　Huff；　clerk　at　the　City　Drug　Store。　Elmer　had　purchased　a　package　of　cigarettes　and　now　offered　one　to　Merton。

〃'Lo；　Mert！　Have　a　little　pill？〃

〃No；　thanks；〃　replied　Merton　firmly。

He　had　lately　given　up　smokingsave　those　clandestine　indulgences　at　the　expense　of　Gashwilerbecause　he　was　saving　money　against　his　great　day。

Elmer　lighted　one　of　his　own　little　pills　and　made　a　further　suggestion。

〃Say；　how　about　settin'　in　a　little　game　with　the　gang　to…night　after　the　store　closesten…cent　limit？〃

〃No；　thanks；〃　replied　Merton；　again　firmly。

He　had　no　great　liking　for　poker　at　any　limit；　and　he　would　not　subject　his　savings　to　a　senseless　hazard。　Of　course　he　might　win；　but　you　never　could　tell。

〃Do　you　good；〃　urged　Elmer。　〃Quit　at　twelve　sharp；　with　one　round　of　roodles。〃

〃No；　I　guess　not；〃　said　Merton。

〃We　had　some　game　last　night；　I'll　tell　the　world！　One　hand　we　had　four　jacks　out　against　four　aces；　and　right　after　that　I　held　four　kings　against　an　ace　full。　Say；　one　time　there　I　was　about　two…　eighty　to　the　good；　but　I　didn't　have　enough　sense　to　quit。　Hear　about　Gus　Giddings？　They　got　him　over　in　the　coop　for　breaking　in　on　a　social　out　at　the　Oak　Grove　schoolhouse　last　night。　Say；　he　had　a　peach　on　when　he　left　here；　I'll　tell　the　world！　But　he　didn't　get　far。　Them　Grove　lads　certainly　made　a　believer　out　of　him。　You　ought　to　see　that　left　eye　of　his！〃

Merton　listened　loftily　to　this　village　talk；　gossip　of　a　rural　sport　who　got　a　peach　on　and　started　somethingAnd　the　poker　game　in　the　back　room　of　the　City　Drug　Store！　What　diversions　were　these　for　one　who　had　a　future？　Let　these　clods　live　out　their　dull　lives　in　their　own　way。　But　not　Merton　Gill；　who　held　aloof　from　their　low　sports；　studied　faithfully　the　lessons　in　his　film…acting　course；　and　patiently　bided　his　time。

He　presently　sauntered　to　the　post　office；　where　the　mail　was　being　distributed。　Here　he　found　the　sight…seers　who　had　returned　from　the　treat　of　No。　4's　flight；　and　many　of　the　less　enterprising　citizens　who　had　merely　come　down　for　their　mail。　Gashwiler　was　among　these；　smoking　one　of　his　choice　cigars。　He　was　not　allowed　to　smoke　in　the　house。　Merton；　knowing　this　prohibition；　strictly　enforced　by　Mrs。　Gashwiler；　threw　his　employer　a　glance　of　honest　pity。　Briefly　he　permitted　himself　a　vision　of　his　own　future　homea　palatial　bungalow　in　distant　Hollywood；　with　expensive　cigars　in　elaborate　humidors　and　costly　gold…tipped　cigarettes　in　silver　things　on　low　tables。　One　might　smoke　freely　there　in　every　room。

Under　more　of　the　Elmer　Huff　sort　of　gossip；　and　the　rhythmic　clump　of　the　cancelling　stamp　back　of　the　drawers　and　boxes；　he　allowed　himself　a　further　glimpse　of　this　luxurious　interior。　He　sat　on　a　low　couch；　among　soft　cushions；　a　magnificent　bearskin　rug　beneath　his　feet。　He　smoked　one　of　the　costly　cigarettes　and　chatted　with　a　young　lady　interviewer　from　Photo　Land。

〃You　ask　of　my　wife；〃　he　was　saying。　〃But　she　is　more　than　a　wife　she　is　my　best　pal；　and；　I　may　add；　she　is　also　my　severest　critic。〃

He　broke　off　here；　for　an　obsequious　Japanese　butler　entered　with　a　tray　of　cooling　drinks。　The　tray　would　be　gleaming　silver；　but　he　was　uncertain　about　the　drinks；　something　with　long　straws　in　them；　probably。　But　as　to　anything　alcoholic；　nowWhile　he　was　trying　to　determine　this　the　general…delivery　window　was　opened　and　the　interview　had　to　wail。　But；　anyway；　you　could　smoke　where　you　wished　in　that　house；　and　Gashwiler　couldn't　smoke　any　closer　to　his　house　than　the　front　porch。　Even　trying　it　there　he　would　be　nagged；　and　fussily　asked　why　he　didn't　go　out　to　the　barn。　He　was　a　poor　fish；　Gashwiler；　a　country　storekeeper　without　a　future。　A　clod！

Merton；　after　waiting　in　line；　obtained　his　mail；　consisting　of　three　magazinesPhoto　Land；　Silver　Screenings；　and　Camera。　As　he　stepped　away　he　saw　that　Miss　Tessie　Kearns　stood　three　places　back　in　the　line。　He　waited　at　the　door　for　her。　Miss　Kearns　was　the　one　soul　in　Simsbury　who　understood　him。　He　had　confided　to　her　all　his　vast　ambitions；　she　had　sympathized　with　them；　and　her　never…failing　encouragement　had　done　not　a　little　to　stiffen　his　resolution　at　odd　times　when　the　haven　of　Hollywood　seemed　all　too　distant。　A　certain　community　of　ambitions　had　been　the　foundation　of　this　sympathy　between　the　two；　for　Tessie　Kearns　meant　to　become　a　scenario　writer　of　eminence；　and；　like　Merton；　she　was　now　both　studying　and　practising　a　difficult　art。　She　conducted　the　millinery　and　dressmaking　establishment　next　to　the　Gashwiler　Emporium；　but　found　time；　as　did　Merton；　for　the　worthwhile　things　outside　her　narrow　life。

She　was　a　slight；　spare　little　figure；　sedate　and　mouselike；　of　middle　age　and；　to　the　village；　of　a　quiet；　sober　way　of　thought。　But；　known　only　to　Merton；　her　real　life　was　one　of　terrific　adventure；　involving　crime　of　the　most　atrocious　sort；　and　contact　not　only　with　the　great　and　good；　but　with　loathsome　denizens　of　the　underworld　who　would　commit　any　deed　for　hire。　Some　of　her　scenarios　would　have　profoundly　shocked　the　good　people　of　Simsbury；　and　she　often　suffered　tremors　of　apprehension　at　the　thought　that　one　of　them　might　be　enacted　at　the　Bijou　Palace　right　there　on　Fourth　Street；　with　her　name　brazenly　announced　as　author。　Suppose　it　were　Passion's　Perils！　She　would　surely　have　to　leave　town　after　that！　She　would　be　too　ashamed　to　stay。　Still　she　would　be　proud；　also；　for　by　that　time　they　would　be　calling　her　to　Hollywood　itself。　Of　course　nothing　so　distressingor　so　grandhad　happened　yet；　for　none　of　her　dramas　had　been　accepted；　but　she　was　coming　on。　It　might　happen　any　time。

She　joined　Merton；　a　long　envelope　in　her　hand　and　a　brave　little　smile　on　her　pinched　face。

〃Which　one　is　it？〃　he　asked；　referring　to　the　envelope。

〃It's　Passion's　Perils。〃　she　answered　with　a　jaunty　affectation　of　amusement。　〃The　Touchstone…Blatz　people　sent　it　back。　The　slip　says　its　being　returned　does　not　imply　any　lack　of　merit。〃

〃I　should　think　it　wouldn't！〃　said　Merton　warmly。

He　knew　Passion's　Perils。　A　compa