Scituate High School - Chimes Yearbook (Scituate, MA)

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THE CHIMES 7 opened the door. That tall, striking-looking man must be Mr. Brown. ''Come in, sir, she said shyly. And then — right behind him was the prettiest girl Paula had ever seen. And it was — it must be Roberta LaSalle, the leading lady. John Brown introduced himself and the three other people with him to Paula and her grandmother. ''The rest of the bunch are up on the hill camping,'' he ex- plained briefly. They preferred the open to staying at a hotel, however charming it might be. I'm sure we're going to be fast friends before I leave, said Roberta LaSalle. Now if you will show me where my room is, — because I'm very tired, and she slipped her hand into Paula's. Paula found that the movie star joined in all kinds of sports but swimming. It may seem funny to you, she said, but I never have been to the seashore but once before in my life. Paula's eyes were very big. Why, she had been able to swim ever since she was six years old. If she couldn't swim, she would think she was losing half the joy of life. When she left the room, she was calling Miss LaSalle Bobby, and to the famous girl star of movie-land she was already PauHe. The next morning Paula got up about six o'clock for her morning dip. In her red bathing suit she was a sight for weary eyes. She ran happily down to the beach. I want to get back before Bobby gets up, she thought. Poor child, she can't swim ! Why I must teach her ; she's losing half the fun of life. She stopped short by the dock and drew on her red cap. Her eyes swept the water and then she paled. There was the girl star of the movies way out beyond the float. Yes ! It must be she. But what in the world is she doing without a cap? thought Paula. Then she heard a shout for help. Paula thought only of her new friend. She dived into the water and with a few strong, swift strokes reached the girl and began swimming toward the float. She sat on the float breathing quickly. Suddenly she felt Bobby's eyes on her with amazement in their clear depths. She glanced up and for the first time noticed the whole group of movie people on the rock opposite her. Suddenly the realization came to her that she must have broken into the screening of a picture. Her face grew rosy with pain and surprise. Then she slipped from the float into the water and swam toward the shore. Not heeding the cries of Wait, Paula, she ran into the house and up into her tiny room. What would they think of her ! Brainless idiot ; she thought. She threw herself onto the bed and began to cry. Presently

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6 THE CHIMES LITERARY THE RISING STAR ''Oh, if something would only happen, sighed Paula Grey. She was sitting on the front porch of her grandmother's hotel, the Sea-Side Inn. '1 never saw such a crazy place. Not a thing happening all day long. If it hadn't been for Grand- mother's fussiness, I might have been in the mountains with Millie having a wonderful time. Paula's lip quivered in self- pity. ''Mail for you, called a cheery voice from the step. Paula jumped up, dashing tears from her eyes. This is the first mail that has come this week, she cried, and today is Wednesday. Oh, Uncle Ted, she asked, did you ever see such a dull time? The old man's face grew thoughtful. Well, he said, you see I've lived here all my life, so I don't mind it much. But I suppose it's different for you, coming here to live away from the city. I suppose you miss the bustle and the excitement, he said. Miss it! exclaimed Paula, as she took the mail and en- tered the house. Only one letter for me, she thought, won- der who the other is from. That's for Grandma; looks kind of important and interesting. She tossed the letters into her grandmother's lap and stroll- ed into the garden to read the letter from her chum. Paula, deeply interested in Millie's account of the mountain camp, was startled to hear her grandmother's petty voice calling her. Impatiently she jammed the letter into her pocket and ran into the house. Paula, began her grandmother, you must prepare the four east bedrooms right away. The four — , began Paula. Yes, interrupted her grandmother. Mr. John Brown — whoever that may be, he says he's a movie director — is com- ing here sometime today with his leading lady and the rest of the paraphernalia. He says something about taking the his- torical points of interest around here. But come, you must get the rooms fixed. I'll ring for Marie and Hannah to help you. Paula's eyes were shining. A real movie director coming here to screen the town. A real movie director — John Brown, of all people! She knew all about him. Hadn't she seen his latest picture, Bubbling Oyer, starring Roberta LaSalle. And to think she was coming here to stay ! Paula ran from the room and upstairs. At two that afternoon the door-bell rang. Paula ran and

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8 THE CHIMES she felt an arm go around her neck and turning, she looked into the smiling eyes of Bobby. Don't cry, silly,'' she said. 'That was done really to catch you. Mr. Brown wanted to get you into the picture but didn't dare ask you for fear your grandmother might object. You fell into the trap easily, my dear, she laughed. Mr. Brown wanted me in the picture? repeated Paula con- fusedly. Yes, goosie, and we want you to be in the rest of the pic- ture to take the part of my sister. Do you think your grand- mother would object? I believe she could be coaxed, replied Paula. But I don't see why you should want me. Well, began Bobby, to make a long story short, Mr. Brown saw you down on the beach in your bathing suit, and thinking you resembled me, he decided to come down here and screen part of the picture. He w anted some one to take the part of my sister but couldn't find any one he liked until he saw you. Do you suppose you can come back to New York with me and stay until the picture is over? Why, I'm sure Grandmother wouldn't object after she knew the whole of it. If you add your persuasion to my plea, I know she will consent and I — why I don't know what to say. Don't say anything, advised Bobby, but get dressed and come down to breakfast. To Paula's surprise her grandmother consented right away to the plan. Why, she wrote to Millie two weeks later, why I could call this place dull! I've been on the jump w ith Bobby ever since she came. When I haven't been w orking, I've been show- ing the town off . Working! Doesn't that sound grand? But to think — I'm in the movies ! Put that in capital letters if you wish ; I'd like to ! Wait until you see the picture. It's going to be released soon. I'm going to New York with Bobby in three days. She's a year older than I, but she missed a class so she's a senior, too. We're going to have private tutoring and everything. But the best part of it is I'm earning money and don't have to be dependent upon Grandmother. I'm so glad I didn't go to the mountains with you becouse if I had, I wouldn't have had this chance. I'll write you when I reach New York. Thus Paula finished her summer career. Bobby fell in love with the little, old-fashioned town cuddled up near the ocean. Without letting Paula know, she wrote her mother, and between 'her and Paula's grandmother, she bought the plot of ground next to the hotel and began preparations for a summer home. Paula wondered who was beginning the magnificent house, and was completely surprised when Bobby broke the news. Oh, that will be wonderful ! she said. We can come down