Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-09-23
MOVIE MAD
BY HAZEL DEYO BACHELOR
CHAPTER III
Vera's Little Game

40 SAY that Vera was angry at her OBJ
lvious dismissal is to put it rather mildly,
a for she was furious But she was also
clever and as it has been said before, POS
sessed of unlimited nerve. Her ability to
take punishment as the phrase goes, mad
landed her in the movies and kept her Cnere
in spite of the fact that she had little besides
her looks to recommend her. She was afraid
of nothing and in her early days had been
willing to double for several actresses when
dangerous stunts were required. Ihls traln-
ing~had made her very sure of herself, and-4
was with the utmost self-possesslon that sA&
walked in upon Rolf the next afternoon Inns
time she found him alone, and when at tea
time several other people arrived it was Vera
who poured the tea and played the hostess.
After this, she made a point Of dropping in
to see Rolf every day, and before the week
was out she had accomplished her purpose.
People were talking about her, coupling her
name with Rolls. 1t was the entering wedge.
Gloria was treated to an exaggerated ac-
count of the newest scandal and in her pres
ent state of mind she easily convinced.
Rolf and Vera! Well, it might as well be Vera
as any one else in the colony, and yet it
| seemed homogeneous to think of Rolf caring
for girl Of Veras type. Somehow she could
not think of him as the conce1ted, arrogant
she had once known. His illness had
changed her opinion Of him. The fight for
his life had brought them very close. And
yet, he didn't really care in spite of what he
had said. His feeling for her had been no
more than thWarted desire. He had wanted
her merely because he couldn't have her.
One morning before Gloria was dressed
| ,Vivyan burst in upon her.
Gloria I'm going to ask you a plain ques-
ton she began impetuously. Are you go
! ing to hand Rolf over to Vera Vamp? She
| seems determined to get him, and I for one
|
still about matters between you and Rolf UNI
| til l can't stand it any Logger. Is it true
| that you are going TO get dlvorce?
I'm not handing Rolf over to any one,"
! Gloria said evenly, after long moment. Hes
perfectly free to do as he likes with his life,
and If he wants Vera | suppose he'll have
her"
eff he wants Vera!" Vivyan repeated scorn-
fully. THAT isn't the point. Vera wants
him. She needs a boost with the public, and
she thinks she can get it through Rolf, that's
all"
We'll" Gloria returned impulsivsly, that's
why | married him. Poor Rolf he seems
fated to serve as a stepping stone doesn't
! he?" Her tone flippant.
But you didn't need stepping stone"
Vivyan persisted 'You would have made
good anyway; in fact, you did,
"But [ didn't know that until it was too
late" Gloria went on. Nov you know the
truth, Viyyan, and you can see what fool
l have been"
tThats all right. You may not have loved
Rolf when you married him, but you love
him now, and he loves YOU
Gloria shook her head. you're all wrong,
I Vivyan. Rolf doesn't love me-"
Then you admit that you love him."
81 didn't say that"
"But you do love him. I know you do
! Why, you were half frantic when no one
thought he was going to live, and now you
calmly propose handing him over to a girl
| like Vera Vamp I'm surprised at you,
Gloria. [ thought you had more backbone
than that If I loved him, I'd fight for him,
whether he loved me or not"
Neutrality-suspicious. Pays a Call" This
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