The Moving Picture Girls | Page 6

was an unusual type. She knew nearly every one in the big apartment--which was almost more than the janitor and his wife could boast.
A widow with two sons, Mrs. Dalwood was in fairly good circumstances--compared with her neighbors. Her husband had left her a little sum in life insurance that was well invested, and Russ held a place as moving picture machine operator in one of the largest of those theaters. He earned a good salary which made it unnecessary for his mother to go out to work, or to take any in, and his brother Billy was kept at school. Billy was twelve, a rather nervous, delicate lad, liked by everyone.
There was a rattle as the chain fell from the slotted slide on the door, and Alice opened the portal, to disclose the smiling and yet rather worried face of Russ. The girls had come to know him well enough to call him by his first name, and he did the same to them. It might not be out of place to say that Russ admired Ruth very much.
"I'm awfully sorry about what happened," began Russ. "You see I didn't mean to shove that fellow so hard. But he was awfully persistent, and I just lost my temper. I was afraid I'd shoved him downstairs."
"So were we," admitted Ruth, with a smile.
"Did he try to come in here, to escape from you?" asked Alice, with a frank laugh.
"Indeed he did not," replied Russ. "He caught at your door to save himself from falling. I guess he thought I was going to hit him; but I wasn't. I just shoved him away to keep him from coming back into our rooms again. Mother was a little afraid of him."
"Was he--was he a----" Alice balked at the word "collector."
"He was a fellow who's trying to steal a patent I'm working on!" exclaimed Russ, rather fiercely. "He's as unscrupulous as they come, and I didn't want him to get a foothold. So I just sent him about his business in a way I think he won't forget."
"Oh, are you working on a patent?" cried Ruth. "How nice! What's it about? Oh, I forgot! Perhaps you can't tell. It's a secret, I suppose. All patents are."
"Well, it isn't a secret from you folks," returned Russ. "I don't mind telling you, even though I haven't perfected it yet."
"Especially as you can be sure we girls wouldn't understand the least thing about it--if it has anything to do with machinery," put in Alice, laughing.
"Well, it is something about machinery," admitted Russ. "It is something new to go on moving picture machines, to steady the film as it moves behind the lens. You've often noticed how jerky the pictures are at times?" he asked.
"Yes; though we don't go very often," responded Ruth.
"Well, I've made a simple little device that fits on the machine. I needn't go into all details--to tell you the truth I haven't got 'em all worked out yet; but I think it will be a good thing, and bring me in some money.
"I've spoken to Mr. Frank Pertell, manager of the Comet Film Company, about it. I have done some work for him, you know. He says it will be a good thing, and, while it may not make me a millionaire, it will help a lot. So I'm working hard on it."
"But who was this man--what did he have to do with it?" asked Alice.
"He didn't have anything to do with it--but he wanted to. His name is Simpson Wolley--Simp, he's called for short, though he is not as simple as his name sounds. He heard about my invention--how, I don't know--and he's trying to get it away from me."
"Get it away from you?" echoed Alice.
"Yes. He came to me and wanted me to sell him the rights, just as it was, for a certain sum. I refused. Then to-day I came home unexpectedly. I found him in the room where I work, looking over my drawings and models. Mother had let him in to wait for me. She put him in the parlor, but he sneaked into my room. That's why I sent him flying."
"I don't blame you!" exclaimed Alice, with flashing eyes.
"Only I'm sorry he disturbed you," went on Russ. "I didn't mean to be quite so hasty; but he got on my nerves, I expect."
"Oh, that's all right," said Ruth, graciously.
"Mother said you might be frightened," went on the young man, "so she sent me here to tell you what it was."
"Don't mention it," laughed Alice. "We were a bit frightened at first, and we put the chain on the door. But are you sure you're all right--that he won't come back again?"
"Oh, you need not worry," Russ assured her. "He won't come here again; though I don't fancy