New Britain herald., 1930-09-12

altogether approve.
 And he wondered what it might be. His first thought was. that the sound of their voices might have disturbed the man, but he remark ed then that others about them were talking and laughing-some of them rather loudly-and he con- cluded that he was quick to imagine things. Those who worked with Sloan were at high tension: it was easy for them to be ''jumpy."
 But later an unwelcome recollec- tion cams to mind-the bit of gos sip he had overheard at the tea with Maris Farrell linking Sloan's name with Anne's. And still later he re- called story Paul Collier had told him: and once recalled. it was hard to put from him.
 Collier had told him a story about Sloan and certain star whose name and his had been coupled a great Slyvia Patterson famous. And 1t concerned a young actor from New York. a handsome youth with no stage or screen experience whatever who had been discovered" by some one from Hollywood who was struck with his facial beauty.
 Tt was just one of those things Collier related. They gave him a screen test-this was before the days of sound-and then they ship ped him out to Hollywood and gave him one of those great lover parts opposite Lola, And young Roelif made a go of it too; he wasn't bad; everybody said that the kid was bound for a big success.
 And Sloan cast him in another picture with her; and then one night Garry saw him making love to Lola and everything was off right away. Roelif was making thousand dollars a week at the time, and since then I don't believe he's worked in a picture"
 No one. Collier said, seemed to know exactly what had happened "A lot of funny things happen in this village. Dan,"
 The fact remained, though, that Sloan had been offended, and Sloan had influence in Hollywood.
 One didn't take stories like this too seriously, Dan thought; never theless, there might be wisdom in being careful not to give the man cause for offense. especially during production of a picture that might mean everything to Anne Winter and a great deal to himself
 But it was not on his own ac- count that he felt any concern; he owed nothing to Sloans good will, he figured, and he felt there was little that a mans whim could do to him to cause him to lose any sleep. Anne, though, was different Anne Winter might some day be star if the fates were kind enough, and no Garry Sloan.
 He wondered then if the director really, had become interested" in Anne~Winter. as gossip had hinted. And he wondered, with touch of jealousy and resentment of Sioan's power, what Anne might think of it.
 He watched Sloan now as he hunched forward in his chair, frowningly intent on Anne and Les ter Moore in a scene. The two were sitting at restaurant table and Moore, as Michael, the dapper, handsome gangster, was braZenly holding her hand, contemptuously of the other diners about them.
 Dan smiled. Moore was good. very good. He was boastful, swag- gering and tough. Michael was back from the war, unreformed, con- scienceless and scheming as ever; and his "girl'' was a little fearful for him and afraid of him.
 The scene ended. Sloan nodded and sat back in his chair. He call ed Anne over to him and she sat beside him and listened while he talked in a low voice, and Dan got up and strolled outside. At the door he ran into Phillips, bound for one of the other stages. Phillips stopped for a moment to ask a question.
 Sloan shooting tonight?"
 Dan shook his head. Not unless he changes his mind. Anne Winter said he wanted to rehearse her little bit, though. She's got a tough scene tomorrow"
 Phillips nodded. He asked Dan what he thought of Garry Sloan by this time
 Hes great" Dan said Hes some director"
 The other chuckled and said, He'll do till the next one comes along, I guess, and he raised his hand and passed on.
 Dan wandered back to the set. The thing that Anne was to do on the morrow was something that the manuscript had not called for in it's original version. When Michael was shot, Rorimer had represented the grief of Jenny, his girl" as dry eyed and stunned and inarticulate. Sloan had changed that It was not