Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-19


the great screen star, becomes interested
in her, and she piques him by her in
difference. He offers her the lead in his
picture, stranger Souls Now go
OH with the story.
CHAPTER IN
An Astounding Proposal
~ LORIA rose from her chair as Temple
I ton advanced into the room. He wore
a raincoat buttoned up to the chin and
hair, usually sleek, was rumpled 1t gave
him a boyish look that made him even
somehow different, and yet there was moth
ing boyish about his manner He was over
bearing, lordly, and he glanced about the
place with smile that was infuriating
to Gloria.
THE hidden bower of the enchanted
princess" he said mockngly. MAY 1 sit
down, or am I intruding?"
Without waiting for her to speak, he I'M
buttoned his ulster, threw it with his cap on
the couch, and sitting down, drew out
heavy, ornate cigarette case and selected
cigarette.
will you have one?"
Gloria shook her head. Her face was
grave, her lips curled back little from her
small white teeth. She hated his manner
his attitude of entire confidence in himself
He felt of course, that she ought to be
grateful for a visit from him; he was so IA
tuously conceited that he imagined no wom-
could resist him.
: Manning is finishing up Stranger Souls
this week" he remarked succinctly, and
Gloria found her thoughts jerked away from
her personal dislike of this man to the words
he was saying. A cold little feeling of dread
settled down upon her, and she began to
wonder what he would say next. She could
not understand why he had come here at all
Eyes, she returned simply.
What are your p1ans?" he asked sud-
denly.
The red famed in Glorias cheeks.
p1o ~
gan defensively, "but doubt something
will turn up.
"You mean you think it is in the general
order of things here in Hollywood for extras
with no particular talent to play leading
parts?"
He drawled out the words, and his tone
was insufferable. Gloria stifened in her
chair.
II gave you chance" Templeton went
on, against Manning's judgment. He didn't
believe you could handle the part"
"But 1 did handle it," Gloria returned
quickly.
ooh, yes, you did very well, but not any
better than great many other women could
have done it,
"Thats not true" Gloria famed, "and you
know it."
Templeton shrugged his shoulders. "You
might try landing another job on the
strength of your work in Stranger Souls"
he said lightly. However, I didn't come
here to quarrel with you, I came here for
quite another reason"
Gloria laughed, a hooking little fame in
her greenish eyes. ut would be interesting
to know why you did come" she said scorn-
fully.
For moment they sat there measuring
each other, then he spoke. II came to ask
you to marry me-
Marry you" Gloria echoed the words
blankly Marry you!" And then as his
meaning made iDrOaH on barO ncnio
she threw back her haed and laughed. He
waited for her to finish, his face darkening.
But even as she stood there ridculing him. he
was duly conscious of the fact that he wanted
her. She was mysterious, that was it. She
was interesting. He wanted to pull away the
petals OF the rose in order to glimpse it's
hidden heart And once she was his wife he
would make her pay for everything. He want
ed to marry her because he was bored If he
tired of her he would have no scruLles about
casting her aside. But first he must have
her because he always had what he wanted
and the fact that any woman could laugh at
the idea Of becoming his wife was something
new to Rolf Templeton.
CHAPTER X
Straight From the Shoulder
(T[ EVIDENTLY seems funny to you"
Templeton said, after Gloria's laugh
had finally died away into silence
Iragically funny" the girl returned quick
~. THAT you, of all people, should ask me
to be your wife Why, l wouldn't marry
man Of your type if l never acquire a hus-
band. When l marry it will be some one who
has purpose in life other than to have
good time and gather about him a lot of dis
sipated friends. l despise you, and perhaps
1t will surprise you to know that I don't
think you even have talent. OF course you're
popular, because you have the good looks that
women admire, aside from that" and she
shrugged her shoulders in a little gesture of
disdain that was more eloquent than words
1t was with an effort that Templeton con-
Tolled the sudden hot rage that rose up in
him. No one had spoken to him this
way, no had ever directly stabbed at his
vanity before; and that this girl should do
it. this poor little extra he had befriended, in
furiated him. Rolls sense of humOr was not
his best Loint. He could not see the ridiculous
side of the situation at all, and so for a mo-
ment he stood there glazing at her, a bright
flame coming and going in his eyes
You despise me- he said finally, land yet
you grabbed at the chance to work with me-"
"Of course" Gloria returned quickly, "of
course; why not? Don't you suppose that
realize the situation here in Hollywood? Don't
you suppose I realize how girls get to the top?
Not through any real talent. not at ALL it
doesn't make any difference how stupid a girl
may be if she has regular features and pull.
A director can be a wizard. he can be worth
his weight in gold, to the hackers of a beauti-
full woman. He make the public believe
girl ran really act. provided he's given
enough feet of film and plenty Of money. so
he can take his time. Of course. I grabbed at
the chance to work with you. You've arrived,
thousands OF people believe you can act
N,l ,iryl,+ no