The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-27


 rious about the Kitty Dalton affnir. The girls paid no attention to the gossips. Gloria wns soon busy in her part. Virginia WAS glad to find Jack Thompson, the young chap who had been in n scene with her. He ex- pressed the hope that they both could sec the first showing of the scenes.
 THE NEW ACTRESS
 What does she mean?" 1 asked as Jack Thompson pulled me away from the crowd.
 Laura only means that you only have the whole jealous pack on your trail Virgie."
 "Oh. how terrible Do they talk about themselves as well as about the actors who arc above them?"
 Do they? You should just hear them once. No girl gets started on the upward way that she doesn't get pulled to pieces and put together again in a way that makes her ap- pear everything that she is not"
 Gloria came running up to us Isn't it wonderful, Virgie? Tommy Warner has got me off l don't have to finish this picture"
 But, Gloria
 "Oh. I know, I know. But only had one scene taken yesterday and Warner told the director that ramily matters made it necessary that 1 go He put 1t up to the director that had played fair. that almost any other girl would have gone to her mother without word to the direc- tor. The director was in a good hu- nor, for he said: All right, Tom. Pick someone out for Miss Summers place. How is that girl they call Laura?
 l looked at Jack in consternation. Was 1t possible that they were going. 10 give Gloria's place to the glrl who was saying the worst things about 1 her?
 Ria went on in all innocence: q don't know Laura, but honestly, Vir- gie, 1 felt sorry for her. 1 don't know what she has done to Tommy Warner, but if ever girl was laid cut splendidly, and poison ivy pinned upon her breast she is 1t. Tommy said she couldn't act; that she had no brains, that when she tried to look sr-rowful she was only petulant and when she smiled 1t was a grin; that she didn't know how to make up, anu he raved on until the director him self said with smile: What mas she done to you, Tom?'
 Not a thing, not a thing Tommy answerd, but 1 don't want to spoil | the picture
 Well. it's up to you to get some l one to fill Miss Summers place. said | the director. How would her friend ao? That entrance of hers yesterday i vas worry good
 i " I don't think she would do for the part either. said Tommy. A lit- | tie later she will be able to do big | things, but she needs more experl- ence. l am afraid it would spoil her to jump her right into the part now ] 1 am inclined to think that her en- trance yesterday was an accident 7"
 l felt the tears come. It seemed cruel that Tommy Warner had made me miss this chance.
 He was right, Virgie," said Ria, as she put her arm around me. There is too much at stake. Many | a girl has been thrown bodily into a | part out here, and made such a fai.- | ure of it that no director would look at her after, when, if she had taken little more time to get over being camera shy she probably would have made good. Were I going to be here with you I might have persuaded Tommy to let you have 1t, for 1 might be able to coach you, but he played the part of your best friend when he passed you by at this time."
 Aren't you afraid, Ria, that the director will find out really why you are leaving the company"
 q am not only afraid, but I know that he will.'
 Wouldn't 1t have been better i, you had told him the truth?"
 T think it would. but l had to let Tommy engineer it for me, and be- side" She hesitated and looked at Jack Thompson. who was standing by.
 Jack showed his good breeding by walking away. Ria smiled approv- ingly and said: 'He is nice boy and can help you a lot when I am gone" Are you really going, Ria?" I asked,
 T hope so. After you went down stairs Herb told me that the doctor said that the only thing that would save Kitty's sight was perfect care and attention. She must have some one who will keep her happy and not let her think of herself. Herb | can provide the nurses, but no one could make Kitty Dalton happy un- less it was someone who knew her as I do."
 I Tt is a pretty hard row you have cut out for yourself, Ria"
 T would travel a much harder one if 1t would help Herb any. I am | going back to the apartment now. Don't let the crew stamp on me any harder than is necessary. Do you think you will know how to get home | a.one?"
 My dear Ria, have got to learn | how to get to the different studios and get back home alone, and l might as well begin now.'
 While we had been talking the two 1 directors had been in earnest conyer- sation. Then I heard Tommy War 1 ner say. There she is now" and he l darted around behind some of the l girls who were standing on one side | of the set with an expectant air, for everyone knew that someone was t1 I be chosen for Gieria's little part. { He returned shortly. and to my i astonishment, was leading the little l bride who had been in the seat in front of me all the way from Chi- 1 cago to Los Angeles.