Janet Hardy in Hollywood Part 18

"That's what we're going to do right now. We'll clean the fish while the girls get some dry sticks and build a fire."

Thus they had their noon meal, bullheads off the spit, crisp and hot, with just a sprinkle of salt on them, sandwiches and fruit from the basket, and cool, sweet water from a nearby spring.

Henry Thorne, his appet.i.te appeased, his mind and body relaxed, stretched out on the gra.s.s and looked meditatively into the creek.

"What a life this would be--no strain, no thoughts of tomorrow, no temperamental stars to worry about, no stories to doctor, no budget to watch."

"But after what you've had this would tire in a few weeks. Why, you're thinking about getting back into the harness right now," said Janet's father.

Henry Thorne flushed guiltily.

"Caught that time," he admitted. "Sure I was thinking about getting back on the job. I'm too much of a work horse, I guess."

"But you'll stay until after graduation, won't you?" asked Helen anxiously.

"That's one thing you needn't worry about," promised her father. "I'm thinking now of what's going to be best for you after high school days are over; whether you and mother will prefer to stay here in Clarion or would like to come west with me. You're pretty much of a young woman now, Helen, and from the play last night, quite a capable little actress."

"Not much of an actress, I'm afraid, Dad, but I did want to be in the cla.s.s play because you were coming home and I wanted you to be proud of me."

"I was very proud of you, dear. Just how proud you'll never know, and I've been trying to think of something I could do that would show you just how pleased I was over the work you and Janet did in the cla.s.s play."

They were silent for a time, all of them enjoying the quiet charm of the afternoon. Henry Thorne puffed slowly on a venerable pipe while Janet's father dozed, his hat pulled down to shield his eyes from the sun. The embers of their fire turned black and then grey as they cooled.

Janet thoroughly enjoyed relaxing on the creek bank. School days were almost over and she couldn't help wondering what the summer and the coming year would hold in store for her. Of course there would be college in the fall, but just where had not been determined. It was generally understood at home, though, that she would be allowed to make her own choice providing it was anywhere near within reason.

Janet knew that Helen's plans were very uncertain. Her friend wasn't even sure that they would continue to make their home in Clarion.

Just then Henry Thorne knocked the ashes out of his pipe and squinted at the sun.

"Better be starting home," he said. He picked up a small stick and tossed it at Janet's father, who awoke with a start.

"Come on sleepy-head. Time to go."

Janet finished packing the few utensils that went back into the lunch basket while the men wound up the lines on their fishpoles.

They started home, walking leisurely in the warm afternoon, the men leading the way.

Half a mile down the creek they came upon a farm boy, riding bareback.

The horse was a beautiful, spirited animal, and the lad rode with amazing grace. They paused for several minutes to watch the horse and rider until they finally disappeared over a nearby hill.

"Can either of you girls ride?" Henry Thorne asked the question almost sharply.

"A little, but not much nor very well," confessed Janet.

"I belong in the same cla.s.s," added Helen.

"Is there any place in town where we can find good horses and a good instructor?" Helen's father shot the question at John Hardy.

"Hill and Dale farm keeps a fine string of horses. I'm sure I could arrange for instruction there."

"I'll go with you this evening and we'll see what can be done. I want the girls to become proficient at riding as soon as possible."

"But what's the idea?" asked Helen.

"Just another quirk of mine," smiled her father.

As soon as they reached home Henry Thorne urged Janet's father to accompany him to see about riding lessons for the girls and just before dinner returned.

"Your first lesson will be at eight o'clock to-morrow morning," he announced. "Look up some old duds that won't be hurt if you fall off."

"But how about the girls?" demanded his wife.

"They'll have to take a chance on that," he smiled.

_Chapter XV_ HOLLYWOOD BOUND

Janet remained awake for some time that night, wondering what the significance of Henry Thorne's decision to have her and Helen learn to ride, and ride well, could be. Finally she gave it up as a bad job, realizing that he would tell them in his own good time.

Graduation week pa.s.sed in a mixed whirl of events, with the junior-senior banquet and actual graduation exercises interspersed between the long hours pa.s.sed at Hill and Dale farm where Janet and Helen underwent an intensive series of lessons on horsemanship. Both girls were agile and anxious to learn, and both soon came to enjoy the riding thoroughly.

Their instructor, an older man, found them eager pupils and Helen's father encouraged them at each lesson, for he went with them on every trip to the farm.

Like the senior cla.s.s play, the graduation exercises were held in the gymnasium and Helen stopped for Janet. They were going on ahead of their parents for they had to be at school half an hour before the start of the program.

"I hope I don't smell like a stable," smiled Helen, radiant in her crisp, white organdie dress. "We've been at the farm so much I almost say 'Giddap' every time I start to do anything."

"I feel almost the same way. One good thing, though, I can sit down comfortably now and I couldn't after the first two days."

When they came down from Janet's room, Helen's father and mother were there.

"We're early, but I want to talk to your folks," Henry Thorne told Janet.

"You youngsters run along and we'll be there in plenty of time."

When they were on their way to school, Helen spoke.

"Dad's been acting so mysteriously the last two days and mother seems to be unusually happy about something. This morning Dad put in a call for Hollywood, but he wouldn't talk from home; went down to a pay station. I asked mother what was up, but she said not for me to worry as long as she wasn't."

"Perhaps he isn't going back west," suggested Janet.

"You don't know Dad. I heard him mumbling just this afternoon about some kind of a story idea. You know he usually sits in on the final drafting of all of the stories he produces. I expect that as soon as graduation is over he'll start back."

"Has he said anything more about taking you with him?"

"Not a word lately and that's what I'm puzzled about. Neither Dad nor mother have talked about what I'm to do next fall. You know I'd like to go to school with you."