Everything in the busy newpaper office stopped.
The city editor turned from his desk and doffed his eyeshade.
The police reporter forgot that he was working on a murder mystery, and left his typewriter idle.
The sports editor threw a despairing look at the hands of the clock, moving relentlessly on to 10:30 and his dead line. The county editor allowed the news from Greenville and Garden Grove and Costa Mesa to go unedited. Even the society editor looked appreciatively at her telephone which chanced to be silent, and joined the group.
There was a distinguished visitor in the offices.
He was quite handsome in an animal-like way. Well set up, dignified, and with a decidedly military bearing. When he smiled - as he did at the cordial greeting offered him, a row of gold teeth gleamed. But it somehow didn't seem a mere vulgar display.
He was slightly arrogant, with the well-being induced by wealth, and stepped from a long gray and silver car, with the conscious air of being the center of interest that is so often seen in motion picture actors.
The secret is out. He was a screen favorite who deigned to brighten the dull interior of the newspaper office with his masculine good looks. He had a right to be arrogant and aloof, for in the past half dozen years, his work with the pictures has earned a sum in excess of $65.000. "Huh!" ejaculated the man on the copy desk, "I'll never see that much, as long as I live!" And he gazed with increased respect upon the distinguished guest. However, the latter was quite oblivious to his awe as he was to the hands outstretched in admiration. He stood at attention. His eyes sought those of his companion, a young man whose bearing was soldierly also, and who wore the colors of the American Legion twisted in his lapel.
"Go to them, Pal!" the latter said. And immediately, Pal the Wonder Dog forgot his aloofness, and was all friendliness and ready for a frolic. He was just starting back to the city with his master, Harry S. Lucenay, veteran of the World war, after appearing last night at the West Coast-Walker theater at the American Legion bugle and drum corps benefit.
Pal is 12 years old, and despite a little stiffness in his shoulders, is as full of life and play as a dog half a dozen years his junior. He is one of the best trained dogs in motion pictures and commands a high salary. His master started his training while Pal was a puppy, but lapsed it during two years in service. But the pedigreed pup never forgot any of his teachings, and was ready to continue training upon his master's return.
Pal is insured for $10,000, the highest sum possible to take out on a dog. His son, "Pete," is the clever dog that is noted in the movie world for the circle of black around his right eye, and who plays "Tige" in the Buster Brown pictures.