Ruthe S. Wheeler

“ The ridge from which Janet and Helen had discovered the fire was outlined against a sky shot with crimson for it was quite dark now. Small animals, scurrying before the red menace, were racing past almost constantly.
The fires which had been started around the bus were spreading out in a great circle, eating their way hungrily along the parched ground. In the light from them Janet could see Curt stalking here and there, directing one group and then another, and pausing now to beat down some flame with his blanket. ”

“ The fire was a living, advancing thing that might surround and swallow them in its flaming greed. The thought sent a deadening chill through Janet and for a moment she closed her eyes to the red spectacle.
The motor of the bus roared again as Curt trod heavily on the starter. The big vehicle pulsated with power and there was the crash of gears as they lurched ahead and the left rear wheel dropped off the jack.
72Like a frightened elephant the bus leaped forward, its headlights once more boring through the smoke-laden night air. ”

“ There was little that Janet and Helen could do, but they insisted on seizing old coats, wetting them in the stream, and using them to beat out the flames of the backfires when they had spread far enough.
The burned area widened rapidly, but Curt spurred his workers on with renewed pleas and cajoling. One of the cameramen, slipping away to the bus for a minute, trained his camera on the scene and started grinding away. The crest of the hill above them was now outlined in a strong, crimson and the shadowy forms of the workers were visible as they hastened from one backfire to another. ”

“ They retired to their drawing-room, finished in restful tones of rose and gray, and slipped into pajamas. Both being tired, they went to bed at once, Janet in the upper berth and Helen in the lower.
The car was air conditioned and they slept restfully, neither one of them awakening until they were in the outskirts of Chicago.
“What are you going to wear today?” asked Helen, stretching luxuriously between the crisp, cool sheets.
“My corduroy dress,” said Janet. “It’s excellent for travel; comfortable and it won’t muss easily.” ”

“ When Janet and Helen returned to the spacious ranch yard, they found the men in the company gathered in a council of war near the bus. They were debating whether to risk remaining at the ranch or attempt to push on into the hills and onto higher ground.
Billy Fenstow felt the ranch would be safe and was loath to attempt to go any further, but Curt Newsom, who had been watching the shifting clouds of crimson, was wary.
“A little more and the wind will shift enough to bring the fire down into this valley. Once it’s here it will travel like a race horse and we’ll never reach safety,” he warned. ”

“ Curt Newsom, who had finished superintending the loading of his own horses into his private truck, walked over to join the girls, his spurs jingling as he walked.
“Glad it’s all over?” he asked.
Janet shook her head.
“Hardly. I’ve enjoyed it so much I really didn’t want it to end, but I guess that all good things come to an end.”
“You did a splendid job as leading woman,” smiled Curt. “I wish all of them were like you. Every once in a while the girls they assign to this unit get it into their heads that they are real actresses and they go temperamental on us. ”

“ Ahead of them opened the doors of the world’s largest theater and with their hearts beating faster than usual they purchased their tickets and walked into the grand foyer, the most majestic, breath-taking enclosure either of them had ever been in. Their feet sank into the heavy pile of the great carpet and their eyes feasted on the beauty of the towering bronze doors which led into the theater itself. ”

“ There was a sharp report under the bus, like a gunshot or the backfire of the exhaust. But it was neither and the girls were thrown heavily against the side of the bus as the left rear tire let go.
The heavy machine swayed dangerously with Curt fighting for control. The brakes screamed as they ground to a stop and Curt leaped out to survey the damage. The driver followed him and then Billy Fenstow followed.
The driver turned on his flashlight and Janet could hear Curt’s muttered exclamation of disgust.
“We can change; we’ve got a spare,” the driver said. ”

“ Janet’s sharp cry halted Curt Newsom and Helen. They turned startled faces toward her.
“What’s the matter? Someone try to run you down?” asked Helen.
“It’s Jim,” replied Janet. “A car’s following his taxi. It started up from the curb and swung right behind his cab. Someone is after that manuscript. We’ve got to follow them.”
Curt hailed a cruising taxi and they piled in, the cowboy giving the driver sharp directions. ”

“ A train roared out of the darkness of the tube and Janet saw a sign, “South Ferry,” on the windows.
“This is our train,” cried Helen, shoving her companion ahead of her and into one of the seats. Other passengers piled in, the doors clanged and they were roaring through the tunnel far under the street level. Their train was an express and occasionally they shot past a slower local. The air was close with an odor that is peculiar to a subway, but Janet enjoyed 173the ride, watching the crowd in the car. ”

“ Gosh, but I’d like to know how he got in there after all my precautions.”
“I can tell you,” said Curt. “He simply walked down the hall, told the boy to go on an errand, and then used a skeleton key on your door.”
“It couldn’t have been as easy as that,” protested Helen.
“Things like that are done easily,” smiled Curt. “Mark my words, you watch our director closely. He isn’t putting his best foot forward in getting us in shape. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has sold out to some other company.”
“That’s a terrible thing to say about anyone,” said Janet.
“It’s worse to do it,” Curt insisted. ”

“ Someone leaped into the seat, there was the whir of the starter and the heavy vehicle shook as its powerful motor thundered into motion.
The driver slid out from under the hood. His face was a smear of grease and his shirt was badly torn, for he had been working in close quarters. He stumbled, reeling from fatigue, but someone caught him and lifted him into the bus. Another man sounded the horn and the fire-builders, led by Curt and Billy Fenstow, returned to the bus.
“Think the motor will hold up?” Curt snapped at the driver. ”

“ At the back was a large orchestra, while up to the front of the stage the famous crooner was singing into a “mike.”
“Why, he doesn’t look at all like I thought he would,” exclaimed Helen as they peered through the plate glass windows which flanked one wall of the studio. “He’s much older.”
“Many of us are disillusioned about our heroes and heroines,” said Curt quietly. “Let’s eat. I’d like a steak.”
192“Sounds good to me,” agreed Janet, and even Helen was willing to leave the studio after another minute or two of gazing at the crooner. ”

“ Janet sighed heartily. She was elated at Helen’s words for it meant that the pleasant companionship they had enjoyed through high school days could continue through college.
121“We’ll have lots of fun,” said Helen, “but if we go on to Radio City for the promotion work we’ll have to register late. Perhaps we can arrange for that while we’re home. It isn’t more than half a day’s drive from home to school.”
“I’m sure we can, especially if we explain that the trip to New York will enable us to earn more money for our college educations.” ”

“ When the director finally released them, most of the company was dizzy with fatigue,
“He’s trying to wear us out so we won’t be able to put on a good show tomorrow night,” muttered Curt. “I’ve a good notion to drop him down an elevator shaft and see if he’ll bounce.”
Jim Hill was waiting for them.
“I thought you’d never come,” he said. “Adolphi been pretty tough?”
Janet nodded. “He couldn’t have been much worse.”
“He’s got a reputation for driving his casts just before the final show. Sometimes he gets marvelous results; then, again, the thing will fall flat with everyone all worn out.” ”

“ At the airport the big twin-motored transport was on the ramp, its motors idling and flickers of blue flame coming out of the exhaust under the wing.
137An attendant at the gate checked the tickets Henry Thorne held in his hand and they were escorted to the plane where their stewardess assigned their seats. The cabin of this ship was even more luxuriously furnished than the one in which they had flown west and Janet settled herself comfortably into the thickly upholstered chair. Their baggage was stowed in the tail of the plane and then she saw the pilots come out of the office. ”

“ Why?”
“We’re not certain what we want to do,” explained Helen. “You see, college starts next month.”
“My heavens,” exclaimed the director. “What under the sun do you want to go to college for? You’re smart enough right now.”
“That’s just it; we aren’t,” replied Janet. “And we’re terribly young, if the truth were known.”
45Billy Fenstow looked at them critically.
“Yep, you’re young enough,” he conceded, “but what’s that got to do with it?”
“Well, we’re nothing sensational as actresses,” replied Janet, “and neither one of us would want to go along playing minor rôles for years. ”

“ Rachel and the director disappeared into the apartment building and Janet, without a word to Helen, ran toward the nearest shop, a little fruit store in a half basement.
“Where can I find a policeman?” she demanded.
The shop keeper helped her phone in an alarm and in less than five minutes a radio car pulled up in front of the store.
Janet told her story quickly and when the officers looked doubtful, she pleaded with them.
249“You’ve got to believe me. Every minute counts. If that script is destroyed the company may lose thousands of dollars worth of business.” ”

“ I’ve known girls younger than either one of you to make a success.”
“But they didn’t last long,” countered Janet.
“Perhaps you’re right on that,” agreed Curt. “Are you going to school?”
“I expect we’ll decide that when we get back to Hollywood and have a long talk with mother and dad,” replied Helen.
Just then Billy Fenstow hurried up, puffing and exceedingly warm.
“Everybody accounted for?” he asked his harried assistant.
43“All here,” replied the red-faced “Skeets.”
“Sit down in the back seat with me,” the director told the girls. “I want to talk with you on the way back to the city.” ”

“ Someone had used the dipper before we got here, so that means Curt is up ahead of us and he’s traveling much faster than we could. We’ll do better to wait right here where they’ll find us. Try and make yourselves comfortable.”
But the director’s last words were of little help. The air was still dry and searing and there was no shelter anywhere. Fires still glowed all over the valley and little clouds of smoke swept around them.
Janet and Helen walked over to the ranchhouse, but the embers were glowing so brightly that it was impossible to get very close. ”

“ There was a flicker of her right eyelid, barely visible to Helen and Curt, and they caught its meaning and played the parts Janet wanted.
“Then that means they won’t be able to bolster up the program for Ace Pictures,” wailed Helen. “The World Broadcasting Company will probably lose its contract.”
“Yep, and we’ll all lose our jobs,” groaned Curt. “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now. We might as well go back to the hotel. We’ll report to Director Adolphi in the morning. Think you can walk if I steady you?” The question was aimed at Janet. ”

“ The cowboy star cast an anxious eye over the rolling hills, but there was no sign of smoke, 51no spear of flame to flash a warning of impending trouble.
“Keep your nose busy and your eyes and ears on the job. You might even stir around in the hills a bit. If you see anything that looks like it might spell trouble, let me know. I’m going back to try and help the driver. We’ll give you plenty of time to get back before we start on if we just happen to find the trouble.”
Curt, his spurs jingling musically, strode away, and Janet and Helen watched him go with mingled feelings. ”

“ Janet didn’t answer at once, but as they reached the bus, she said, “I think I’ve had about all of the insinuations I can stand from either one of them.”
Helen smiled. “That’s a help, for I feel the same way.” She turned toward the other girls, who were putting their baggage in their car.
“We may see you in Clarion before college starts this fall,” she said.
40“Thanks for all your help,” flipped Cora, seating herself behind the wheel. “I’m sure we’ll enjoy ourselves in Hollywood. We may run into you someplace.” ”

“ She changed shoes and hose and stood 149up again, whirling in front of the mirror. The costume now was perfection itself. She ran a comb through her golden hair and knew the thrill that comes from knowing a costume is perfect.
“Do you suppose we’ll be asked to join a sorority at school?” asked Helen.
“If they see you in these dresses I imagine you can join any or all of them,” smiled Mrs. Hardy. “Come now, we must be ready when the men want to start.”
On the echo of her words a horn sounded below. Janet dabbed a little powder on her face and joined Helen as they hurried down stairs. ”

“ Curt’s features were plainly visible in the half light of the early evening and Janet could see the lines of worry on his face.
“It’s worse than I thought from what Helen 60told us,” he said, shielding his eyes and looking across the intervening valleys to the ridge down which the fire was now racing.
“Is it serious?” asked Janet. “Are we in danger?”
Curt stared at her hard, wondering just how much he dared to tell her. Then he decided she might as well know the truth and he spoke frankly.
“The wind’s rising all the time and this fire’s spreading rapidly. ”

“ We’ll have it whipped into shape by the studio continuity writers, for this program goes on the air day after tomorrow.”
“I’ll do my best, Mr. Adolphi,” promised Janet, and the director hurried away to give further instructions to others in the company.
Helen looked at Janet admiringly.
“Well, you certainly get yourself into all kinds of work,” she smiled. “Now you’ll have to go back to the hotel room and pound away on a rented typewriter while I go down and see a show in the Music Hall.”
“Oh, don’t do that,” begged Janet, who was anxious to see the interior of the world’s largest theater. ”

“ Janet pondered the question before answering, for she, too, had been wondering that very thing.
“If you want to know the truth, I think we’re just about where we belong. I know I’m not a real actress. I can get by in a picture like this or in some minor rôle, but I’d never make a really top-notch actress and it would be rather heart-breaking to stay here and do this year in and year out.”
“Then that means you’ll go back to Clarion when summer’s over?” Helen asked the question with a touch of desperate anxiety in her voice. ”

“ Raucous squawks of horns greeted the approaching truck.
It was still raining hard, but a trim figure, clad in a raincoat, detached itself from a group in front of one of the cars and hurried toward the truck.
104“Hello mother. Here I am,” called Helen. “Both of us are all right.”
She jumped from the truck and into her mother’s arms. After a brief embrace, her mother spoke quickly.
“We mustn’t stand here. You’ll catch cold. Here, get under my coat and we’ll hurry to the car. Janet, you stay in the truck until we can pull along here.”
Henry Thorne looked down at Janet. ”