The Coolidge examiner., 1931-04-17
.NR.N..NN.N.N%N,NN.N
Gloria Proved Loyal
to Hal
BY JOHN FRANCIS

4 series or Dack1lDS ana SOmer-
saults that wound up in split so
that she faced the audience as the
curtain fell. 1t rose once more and
Gloria, jumping to her feet, ran out
to the footlights where she bowed
and blew kisses in response to the
yociferOus applause.
Alta girl, Gloria" called Tommy,
the younger of the tap-dancing Far
cars. you've got 'em in Il panic"
Gloria turned toward the wings
and blew Tommy kiss. Then she
had to take three more bows be-
fore the audience would let the next
number go on. 'Sky High was the
first musical comedy in which Gloria
had played. but she had stopped
the show three times since the Opep-
ing in Atlantic City that week.
The newspaper critics had been
more than kind to her. the audi
ences had raved about her. and
four New York producers, who pre-
viously had refused to give her
parts. INDUCED in a contest in bid
ding for her services. Gloria re-
fused all of the offers with thanks.
Hal Trumbull, the young comedian
who was producing and starring in
"Sky High" had given Gloria her
first opportunity to do what she
could do in a big part. and she
meant to stick by him even though
other producers might promise her
more money than Hal paid her.
Gloria would have been loyal to
any producer under similar circum-
stances. but in the case Of Hal
Trumbull she was held by some
thing more than loyalty. Secretly
she adored this young man who
could make thousands laugh at
Jokes and gags that wouldn't have
been the least bit funny if some one
else had said them She never he
lieved, however, that she would one
day get the chance to tell Hal OF
her alteration. for he seemed to be
in love with Patricia Marsden. to
whom he had selected the principal
feminine part.
AS Gloria was putting on the final
touches of her street makeup after
the performance that night she
beard a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" she called.
ats Hal" Trumbull's voice re-
sponded. May I come in?"
"Please do" Gloria said, trying
to keep the thrill out of her voice.
"You did great work again to-
night, Gloria" Hal said as he
walked into the dressing room. "and
I've come in to talk to you about
1t. Did Morrie Ernest offer you
part in his new show while he was
talking to you this afternOon?'
"Yes." said Gloria, "but didn't
accept"
swell. you'd better" Trumbull
went on. Get hold of him tomor-
row morning and tell him you'll
take the part"
"Why?" asked Gloria, astounded.
Don't you want me in your show
any lOnger|
"You bet | do. and THAT'S just why
I'm not going to have any show for
a while at least" responded Hal
with a grin.
"What do you mean. Hal?" asked
Gloria.
"Marsden is sore because you got
good notices from the critics. and
she says I've got to fire you or
she'll close the show. So the show
is closing"
'But how can she close the show.
Hal?" asked Gloria, puzzled.
"Just by putting thumbs down
on it. When she does that her boy
friend will withdraw his support.
and we1l all be out in the cold"
"Her boy friend?" asked Gloria.
"Why-I thought you"
Hal interrupted her with
laugh. Elmer Mitchell. the million
aire. is gaga about her, and he's
putting up the mOney-or most Of
it-fOr the show. sunk all my
money into it long ago, and if he
backs out now we can't take it into
New York.
Gloria thought fast. She had been
in the show business six years, and
although she had never been star
she had made good money. And she
had saved a lot of it.
How much do you need. Hal. ii
he backs out?"
Twelve thousand to open in New
York next week"
Gloria'S heart sank. She had only
four thousand.
rryhn
get any money at all?" she asked.
Some" said Hal. but not
enough. I'm sure can borrow
eighty-fve hundred from Eddie
Lorenzo. but I've got to have twelve
thousand. and there isn't another
place in the world where I could
get the other thirty-five hundred
without giving half interest in the
show in return"
"Oh. yes. there is" said Gloria.
smiling.
"Where?" asked Hal
"Pll let you take it."
"You? Where would you get it?'
"Pve got four thousand dollars in
the bank" Gloria answered, land
you can have any part or all
of it to put this show over"
Grasping Gloria by the shoulders
Hal planted a kiss firmly on her
lips. Then, as he started for the
door. he called over his shoulder:
"You wait right here. I'm going
out and fire Marsden and tell her
boy friend he can keep his money.
Then I'm coming back here and give