Janet Hardy in Hollywood Part 28

_Chapter XXIII_ ON THE SCREEN

Curt Newsom was the first to reach the unconscious Janet. He picked her up, almost without effort, and ran to the car in which Billy Fenstow had been following the action.

"Step on it, Billy. This girl's had a bad fall," he said, and the director swung the car quickly and sped back toward the ranchhouse.

Helen, mounted, galloped after them and the rest of the company, including the camera crew, trailed along.

When Janet regained her senses she was lying on a bed in the ranchhouse with Helen, her face expressing her anxiety, bending over her.

"What happened?" asked Janet faintly.

"Your saddle came loose and you took a header," explained Curt. "How do you feel?"

"Let me get up and take a few steps and then I'll tell you," replied Janet.

"Better stay quiet for a few more minutes. We've got a doctor coming out to look you over," advised Billy Fenstow.

"But I'm sure there's nothing really wrong with me, except perhaps I'm clumsy," replied Janet.

Just then one of the cowboys tiptoed in and whispered something to Curt Newsom. Janet caught a flash of anger in his face as he turned and followed the cowboy outside.

The doctor arrived within a few minutes and made a thorough examination for possible injuries.

"Just a liberal supply of b.u.mps and bruises," he decided. "Better take it easy for a day or two."

"Well, that's that," Janet managed to smile when the doctor had departed.

"I'm afraid I spoiled another sequence and you'll have to shoot it over."

"I should say not," replied Billy Fenstow. "The camera got every bit of action and I'll work it in somehow. Any time I let a swell shot like that go unused you can write 'finished' after my name. Stay in bed the rest of the day. The schedule of scenes you were in is practically completed anyway."

Helen was in and out the rest of the day for there were several shots in which she appeared and it was late afternoon when she came in to stay.

"Curt Newsom is on the warpath," she said slowly as she sat down beside Janet.

"Sore about my mussing up that scene?" asked Janet.

"No. He's been looking at the saddle and says someone tried to kill you."

Helen's voice was flat.

Janet sat up in bed.

"Someone tried to kill me?" she demanded.

Tears welled into Helen's tired eyes.

"Oh, this is all a mess," she cried. "We never should have come out here.

There are too many intrigues and jealousies among those established."

"Tell me just what you mean?" insisted Janet.

Helen waved her hands helplessly. "Curt's found out that the saddle girth was almost cut through. That's the reason your saddle came loose and you were pitched out."

"Does he have any idea who did it?"

"If he does, he isn't saying anything, but I heard him tell Billy Fenstow that this is the last picture he'll work in with Bertie Jackson."

"I wonder if that means he suspects Bertie?" Janet pondered.

"You could take it that way if you wanted to, and personally I think Bertie is fully capable of some despicable stunt like that. I'm glad shooting on this picture is practically over. I've seen all of Bertie I ever want to."

"It doesn't seem as though she would do anything like that, though," said Janet. "But, after all, Bertie's determined to get ahead and I expect she's wholly unscrupulous when she thinks anything or anyone may be blocking her way. But why should she pick on us?"

"Because we came in as absolute greenhorns and got fairly good bits.

She's afraid we may be pushed ahead too fast because of Dad's position with the company. I think it's all plain enough."

"Perhaps you're right," conceded Janet. "I'll certainly watch myself when I'm around Bertie from now on."

Janet felt much better the next morning. She was still stiff and sore, but was able to walk with only a moderate amount of discomfort.

It was the final day of shooting for "Broad Valley" and a certain tenseness gripped the whole company. Billy Fenstow was determined to finish on time and they worked like mad through the long, hot hours.

Janet had to do another riding sequence, and she went about it gamely, although every bone in her body ached as her horse galloped at a mad pace across the broad valley and into the rolling hills behind it. Then it was done. The picture was "in the can."

Supper was served at the ranchhouse and after the meal, in the soft twilight of the summer evening, they piled into the bus that was to take them back to Hollywood.

There was little conversation on the way back to the city. Some of them were completely worn out by the strain of working against time for the last few days and a number dozed as the bus, striking a concrete road, rolled smoothly and swiftly toward Hollywood.

The days had been exciting and even thrilling for Janet and Helen--an experience they might never know again and both girls knew they would come to treasure the recent days highly.

Janet wondered what would be in store for them in Hollywood. Would they win other roles or were they through? It would depend on the verdict after "Broad Valley" had its screening before the studio executives.

The lights of Hollywood glowed and they pulled up in front of the studio.

Some of the actors and actresses had their own cars; others took busses and only a few signalled for waiting taxis. Janet and Helen were among these.

Henry Thorne was waiting for them when they reached home.

"All done?" he asked.

Helen nodded wearily. "The picture is and we may be too."

"Why?"

"Won't it depend on how our work shows up whether we get any more roles?"

"Yes, I suppose so," said her father, "but I could push you into some minor parts in other films."