New Britain herald., 1930-09-15
CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIII n It found its mark on Garry Sloan's nose. and the big director staggered. And then he came or like a giant fury, snarling, and ir moment Rorimer went to the pavement beneath a smashing blow with an agonized cry from Anne Winter ringing in his ears as It fell.
 q He scrambled up again. brushing Anne aside as she sought to irter' fere, but Sloan was too big fol him. The director was on him al once, eyes blazing, swinging mighty fists, and one of them connected solidly with Dams chin and ths lights went out.
 When he opened his eyes agair Sloan was bending over him with z worried look on his face. Blooc was flowing from his nose. It rar down in a dark riyulet over hi: mouth and chin. He said anxiously Are you all right, Rorimer
 Dan nodded and managed ~ fec, ble smile. An anvil changed in his head and Sloan was hay vislor to him, kueeling there with one arm around a girl who slumped be, side him and shook with violent scbs. He could feel the mans other hand beneath his neck, propping him up.
 Sloan's strained features relaxed at the others smile. Sure you're all right?" he repeated, and Dan as- sured him he was. To prove 1t he got up unaided and stood on his feet.
 I'm sorry, Rorimer," the director said; sorry as hell I went off my nut He turned his attention to Anne then and pressed his mouth to her ear and told her not to worry. Its all right, Anne: every r things all right again. Buck up now"
 Things slowly became clear to Rorimer again, as though he were emerging from a fog. He put his fingers against his jaw and they touched a tender spot where Sloan had hit him and knocked him un- conscious, and he suddenly felt that never before in his life had he been as ridiculous as this; for there was Sloan with his arms around the trembling Anne Winter-the Lord only knew what had happened to Anne-and here he was rubbing sore chin after bad licking. All because he had stuck his nose into somebody else's affairs.
 He felt the spot gingerly again. Lucky that his jaw hadn't beer. broken for his pains. Just a big fool
 Sloan had been decent, too-very decent - more so than he had a right to expect He ought to be sore. Dan went over to him and he said, I'm sorry-terribly sorry. It was my fault. the whole thing. made an awful sap of myself
 Its all right" the other assured him with a bloody grin, and he held out his hand for Rorimer to shake It was his left hand; the other arm was around Anne Winter. We all fly off the handle once in a while l guess" Sloan smiled. Forget it. Forget it and say something to her. will you? I can't get a rise out of her. She's scared out of Ter head.
 Sloan himself spoke soothingly to Anne again, but his words had no effect So Dan held her and mur- mured into her ear while the di- rector wiped his face with his hand kerchief; he rubbed her wrist and patted her shoulder, and talked jc her, and Anne's convulsive weeping continued.
 He looked up at Slcan and shook his head. Having removed most o1 the blood from his face, Sloan now plucked at his chm and gazet thoughtfully at tho distracted girl There's nothing to worry about I believe" he assured Rorimer She's just a bit hysterical, that: all"
 Its all my fault, too," Dan mur. mured in self-reproach, but Carr! Sloan smiled and said he was not SC sure of that.
 T contributed my bit" he re marked, and he looked thoughtfu again. And then he took hold 0 Anne and pulled her gently to he. feet and held her there. He spoke sharply to her
 Were going back, Anne. Conn along. We're going back on tha set and you're going through tha : scene. Understand ?'
 Rorimer heard voices not yer. far off, coming nearer to them the crew, most likely, coming bacl for the shooting"
 Sloan heard them too He raised ,Anne's chin. compelled her to lool at him and listen to what he said Come on, Anne, we're going back. ..5 And he nodded to Dan Rorime to come along. You and I have ; little cleaning up to do," he smiled What the others don't know won hurt them. . Feeling better Anne?"
 Anne nodded With Sloan on on side of her and Dan on the other she walked back to the studio.