merton of the movies-第51章

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erfectly　well　it's　no　good　asking　you　to　stay　away。〃

He　let　this　pass。　Could　it　be　that　the　girl　was　already　babbling　in　delirium？

〃And　all　the　time；〃　she　presently　went　on；　〃I'll　simply　be　sick　a…　bed；　picking　at　the　covers；　all　blue　around　the　gills。　That'll　be　me；　while　you're　off　to　your　old　motion　picture'the　so…called　art　of　the　motion　picture；'〃　she　concluded　with　a　careful　imitation　of　her　father's　manner。

He　tried　to　determine　whether　she　were　serious　or　jesting。　You　never　could　tell　about　this　girl。　Whatever　it　was；　it　made　him　uneasy。

Outside　he　wished　to　take　her　home　in　a　taxi…cab；　but　she　would　not　hear　to　this。　〃We'll　use　the　town…car；　Gaston；〃　she　announced　with　a　flash　of　her　old　manner　as　she　waved　to　an　on…coming　street…car。　During　the　long　ride　that　followed　she　was　silent　but　restless；　tapping　her　foot；　shifting　in　her　seat；　darting　her　head　about。　The　one　thing　she　did　steadily　was　to　clutch　his　arm。

During　the　walk　from　the　car　to　the　Montague　house　she　twice　indulged　in　her　little　dance　step；　even　as　she　clung　to　the　arm；　but　each　Lime　she　seemed　to　think　little　of　it　and　resumed　a　steady　pace；　her　head　down。　The　house　was　dark。　Without　speaking　she　unlocked　the　door　and　drew　him　into　the　little　parlour。

〃Stand　right　on　that　spot；〃　she　ordered；　with　a　final　pat　of　his　shoulder；　and　made　her　way　to　the　dining　room　beyond　where　she　turned　on　a　single　light　that　faintly　illumined　the　room　in　which　he　waited。　She　came　back　to　him；　removed　the　small　cloth　hat；　tossed　it　to　a　chair；　and　faced　him　silently。

The　light　from　the　other　room　shone　across　her　eyes　and　revealed　them　to　him　shadowy　and　mysterious。　Her　face　was　set　in　some　ominous　control。　At　last　she　looked　away　from　him　and　began　in　a　strained　voice；　〃If　anything　happens　to　me〃

He　thought　it　time　to　end　this　nonsense。　She　might　be　feverish；　but　it　could　be　nothing　so　serious　as　she　was　intimating。　He　clutched　the　gift。　〃Sarah；〃　he　said　lightly；　〃I　got　a　little　something　for　yousee　what　I　mean？〃　He　thrust　the　package　into　her　weakly　yielding　hands。

She　studied　it　in　the　dusk；　turning　it　over　and　over。　Then　with　no　word　to　him　she　took　it　to　the　dining　room　where　under　the　light　she　opened　it。　He　heard　a　smothered　exclamation　that　seemed　more　of　dismay　than　the　delight　he　expected；　though　he　saw　that　she　was　holding　the　watch　against　her　wrist。　She　came　back　to　the　dusk　of　the　parlour；　beginning　on　the　way　one　of　her　little　skipping　dance　steps；　which　she　quickly　suppressed。　She　was　replacing　the　watch　on　its　splendid　couch　of　satin　and　closing　the　box。

〃I　never　saw　such　a　man！〃　she　exclaimed　with　an　irritation　that　he　felt　to　be　artificial。　〃After　all　you've　been　through；　I　should　think　you'd　have　learned　the　value　of　money。　Anyway；　it's　too　beautiful　for　me。　And　anyway；　I　couldn't　take　itnot　to…night；　anyway。　And　anyway〃　Her　voice　had　acquired　a　huskiness　in　this　speech　that　now　left　her　incoherent；　and　the　light　revealed　a　wetness　in　her　eyes。　She　dabbed　at　them　with　a　handkerchief。　〃Of　course　you　can　take　it　to…night；〃　he　said　in　masterful　tones；　〃after　all　you've　done　for　me。〃

〃Now　you　listen；〃　she　began。　〃You　don't　know　all　I've　done　for　you。　You　don't　know　me　at　all。　Suppose　something　came　out　about　me　that　you　didn't　think　I'd　'a'　been　guilty　of。　You　can't　ever　tell　about　people　in　this　business。　You　don't　know　me　at　all…not　one　little　bit。　I　might　'a'　done　lots　of　things　that　would　turn　you　against　me。　I　tell　you　you　got　to　wait　and　find　out　about　things。　I　haven't　the　nerve　to　tell　you；　but　you'll　find　out　soon　enough〃

The　expert　in　photoplays　suffered　a　sudden　illumination。　This　was　a　scene　he　could　identifya　scene　in　which　the　woman　trembled　upon　the　verge　of　revealing　to　the　man　certain　sinister　details　of　her　past；　spurred　thereto　by　a　scoundrel　who　blackmailed　her。　He　studied　the　girl　in　a　new　light。　Undoubtedly；　from　her　words；　he　saw　one　panic…stricken　by　the　threatened　exposure　of　some　dreadful　complication　in　her　own　past。　Certainly　she　was　suffering。

〃I　don't　care　if　this　fever　does　carry　me　off；〃　she　went　on。　〃I　know　you　could　never　feel　the　same　toward　me　after　you　found　out〃

Again　she　was　dabbing　at　her　eyes；　this　time　with　the　sleeve　of　her　jacket。　A　suffering　woman　stood　before　him。　She　who　had　always　shown　herself　so　competent　to　meet　trouble　with　laughing　looks　was　being　overthrown　by　this　nameless　horror。　Suddenly　he　knew　that　to　him　it　didn't　matter　so　very　much　what　crime　she　had　been　guilty　of。

〃I　don't　care　what　you've　done；〃　he　said；　his　own　voice　husky。　She　continued　to　weep。

He　felt　himself　grow　hot。　〃Listen　here；　Kid〃He　now　spoke　with　more　than　a　touch　of　the　bully　in　his　tone〃stop　this　nonsense。　Youyou　come　here　and　give　me　a　good　big　kisssee　what　I　mean？〃

She　looked　up　at　him　from　wet　eyes；　and　amazingly　through　her　anguish　she　grinned。　〃You　win！〃　she　said；　and　came　to　him。

He　was　now　the　masterful　one。　He　took　her　protectingly　in　his　arms。　He　kissed　her　though　with　no　trace　of　the　Parmalee　technique。　His　screen　experience　might　never　have　been。　It　was　more　like　the　dead　days　of　Edwina　May　Pulver。

〃Now　you　stop　it；〃　he　soothed〃all　this　nonsense！〃　His　cheek　was　against　hers　and　his　arms　held　her。　〃What　do　I　care　what　you've　done　in　your　pastwhat　do　I　care？　And　listen　here；　Kid〃There　was　again　the　brutal　note　of　the　bully　in　his　voice〃don't　ever　do　any　more　of　those　stuntssee　what　I　mean？　None　of　that　falling　off　streetcars　or　houses　or　anything。　Do　you　hear？〃

He　felt　that　he　was　being　masterful　indeed。　He　had　swept　her　off　her　feet。　Probably　now　she　would　weep　violently　and　sob　out　her　confession。　But　a　moment　later　he　was　reflecting；　as　he　had　so　many　times　before　reflected；　that　you　never　could　tell　about　the　girl。　In　his　embrace　she　had　become　astoundingly　calm。　That　emotional　crisis　threatening　to　beat　down　all　her　reserves　had　passed。　She　reached　up　and　almost　meditatively　pushed　back　the　hair　from　his　forehead；　regarding　him　with　eyes　that　were　still　shadowed　but　dry。　Then　she　gave　him　a　quick　little　hug　and　danced　away。　It　was　no　time　for　dancing；　he　thought。

〃Now　you　sit　down；〃　she　ordered。　She　was　almost　gay　again；　yet　with　a　nervous；　desperate　gaiety　that　would　at　moments　die　to　a　brooding　solemnity。　〃And　listen；〃　she　began；　when　he　had　seated　himself　in　bewilderment　at　her　sudden　change　of　mood；　〃you'll　be　off　to　your　old　motion　picture　to…morrow　night；　and　I'll　be　here　sick　in　bed〃

〃I　won't　go　if　you　don't　want　me　to；〃　he　put　in　quickly。

〃That's　no　good；　you'd　have　to　go　sometime。　The　quicker　the　better；　I　guess。　I'll　go　myself　sometime；　if　I　ever　get　over　this　disease　that's　coming　on　me。　Anyway；　you　go；　and　then　if　you　ever　see　me　again　you　can　give　me　this〃　She　quickly　came　to　put　the　watch　back　in　his　hands。　〃Yes；　yes；　take　it。　I　won't　have　it　till　you　give　it　to　me　again；　if　I'm　still　alive。〃　She　held　up　repulsing　hands。　〃Now　we've　had　one　grand　little　evening；　and　I'll　let　you　go。〃　She　went　to　stand　by　the　door。

He　arose　and　stood　by　her。　〃All　this　nonsense！〃　he　grumbled。　〃II　won't　stand　for　itsee　what　I　mean？〃　Very　masterfully　again　he　put　his　arms　about　her。　〃Say；〃　he　demanded；　〃are　you　afraid　of　me　like　you　said　you'd　always　been　afraid　of　men？〃

〃Yes；　I　am。　I'm　afraid　of　you　a　whole　lot。　I　don't　know　how　you'll　take　it。〃　〃Take　what？〃

〃Oh；　anythinganything　you're　going　to　get。〃

〃Well；　you　don't　seem　to　be　afraid　of　me。〃

〃I　am；　more　than　any　one。〃

〃Well；　Sarah；　you　needn't　beno　matter　what　you've　done。　You　just　forget　it　and　give　me　a　good　big〃

〃I'm　glad　I'm　using　my　own　face　in　this　scene；〃　murmured　Sarah。

Down　at　the　corner；　waiting　for　his　car；　he　paced　back　and　forth　in　front　of　the　bench　with　its　terse　message〃You　furnish　the　girl；　we　furnish　the　house〃Sarah　was　a　funny　little　thing　with　all　that　nonsense　about　what　he　would　find　out。　Little　he　cared　if　she'd　done　somethingforgery；　murder；　anything。

He　paused　in　his　stride　and　addressed　the　vacant　bench：　〃Well；　I've　done　my　part。〃




CHAPTER　XVIII

〃FIVE　REELS…500　LAUGHS〃


It　occurred　to　him　the　next　morning　that　he　might　have　taken　too　lightly　Sarah's　foreboding　of　illness。　Reviewing　her　curious　behaviour　he　thought　it　possible　she　might　be　in　for　something　serious。

But　a　midday　telephone　call　at　the　Montague　home　brought　assurances　from　the　mother　that　quieted　this　fear。　Sarah　complained　of　not　feeling　well；　and　was　going　to　spend　a　quiet　day　at　home。　But　Mrs。　Montague　was　certain　it　was　nothing　serious。　No；　she　had　no　temperature。　No　fever　at　all。　She　was　just　having　a　spell　of　thinking　about　things；　sort　of　grouchy　like。　She　had　been　grouchy　to　both　her　parents。　Probably　because　she　wasn't　working。　No；　she　said　she　wouldn't　come　to　the　telephone。　She　also　said　she　was　in　a　bad　way　and　might　pass　out　any　minute。　But　that　was　just　her　kidding。　It　was　kind　of　Mr。　Gill　to　call　up。　He　wasn't　to　worry。

He　continued　to　worry；　however；　until　the　nearness　of　his　screen　debut　drove　Sarah　to　the　back　of　his　mind。　Undoubtedly　it　was　just　her　nonsense。　And　in　the　meantime；　that　longbaffled　wish　to　see　himself　in　a　serious　drama　was　about　to　be　gratified　in　fullest　measure。　He　was　glad　the　girl　had　not　suggested　that　she　be　with　him　on　this　tremendous　occasion。　He　wanted　to　be　quite　alone；　solitary　in　the　crowd；　free　to　enjoy　his　own　acting　without　pretense　of　indifference。

The　Pattersons；　of　course；　were　another　matter。　He　had　told　them　of　his　approaching　debut　and　they　were　making　an　event　of　it。　They　would　attend；　though　he　would　not　sit　with　them。　Mr。　Patterson　in　his　black　suit；　his　wife　in　society　raiment；　would　sit　downstairs　and　would　doubtless　applaud　their　lodger；　but　he　would　be　remote　from　them；　in　a　far　corner　of　the　topmost　gallery；　he　first　thought；　for　Hearts　on　Fire　was　to　be　shown　in　one　of　the　big　down…town　theatres　where　a　prominent　member　of　its　cast　could　lose　himself。

He　had　told　the　Pattersons　a　little　about　the　story。　It　was　pretty　pathetic　in　spots；　he　said；　but　it　all　came　right　in　the　end；　and　there　were　some　good　Western　scenes。　When　the　Pattersons　said　he　must　be　very　good　in　it；　he　found　himself　unable　to　achieve　the　light　fashion　of　denial　and　protestation　that　would　have　become　him。　He　said　he　had　struggled　to　give　the　world　something　better　and　finer。　For　a　moment　he　was　moved　to　confess　that　Mrs。　Patterson；　in　the　course　of　his　struggles；　had　come　close　to　losing　ten　dollars；　but　he　mastered　the　wild　impulse。　Some　day；　after　a　few　more　triumphs；　he　might　laughingly　confide　this　to　her。

The　day　was　long。　Slothfully　it　dragged　hours　that　seemed　endless　across　the　company　of　shining　dreams　that　he　captained。　He　was　early　at　the　theatre；　first　of　early　comers；　and　entered　quickly；　foregoing　even　a　look　at　the　huge　lithographs　in　front　that　would　perhaps　show　his　very　self　in　some　gripping　scene。

With　an　empty　auditorium　to　choose　from；　he　compromised　on　a　balcony　seat。　Down　below　would　doubtless　be　other　members　of　the　company；　probably　Baird　himself；　and　he　did　not　wish　to　be　recognized。　He　must　be　alone　with　his　triumph。　And　the　loftier　gallery　would　be　too　far　away。

The　house　filled　slowly。　People　sauntered　to　their　seats　as　if　the　occasion　were　ordinary；　even　when　the　seats　were　occupied　and　the　orchestra　had　p