The guardian., 1940-12-07
Four Star
Sensation
g
By THAYER WALDO
Mcclure syndieate-wNU Service.l

1AliS 10 promise, Fred
he stated; there won't be anv csr
italizing on what you've gopo
through for publicity purposes lt Il
may get mention from the colpra
nlsts, but only in a favorable wav
Remember, everyone's pulling for
you hundred per cent"
The other man smiled with Il,
mouth. The pale blue eyes remained
brooding. That's certainly splen.
did, Louis" he replied; 1T isn't
that I'm squeamish, you know. a
man IN my position could hardly a.
ford that. But I thought things might
be better all around if nv paT
wasn't used for ballyhoo."
Garrison nodded He was silently
marveling at Fred Leonard's an.
pearance. Save for that smile that
was but the shadow of a smile. moth.
ing seemed changed. The four wears
OF prison life hadn't even put lines
IN his lean, strong face.
Some angles of this comeback
business. Leonard went on, "aren't
exactly a Cinch Perhaps it would
be simpler if I were going into
new game in a new place. But
coming right back here to Holly.
wood and trying to pick up where /
left off-well, it offers problems
especially among the people who
used to be my sort. They can't seem
to understand that I'm through with
the fast life" A touch of grimness
came to his face.
The publicity man didn't respond
at once. He understood the import
of that last remark perfectly Leon
ard was thinking Of Ruby Brand
wife of the man whose death had
sent him to San Quentin on a man.
slaughter sentence.
Vividly Garrison recalled the de-
tails; A wild New Years eve party;
a fist fight between Leonard and this
man Brand over the latter's blonde
tllrt of wife. Two days later,
Brands death from a skull frac-
ture. Then, the swift trial and SEN
fencing of Leonard. And now, here
he was out on parole and return
ing gamely to seek once more a
place in pictures
Garrison came out of his haIf-rev-
erie as the other man rose to 60,
saying: 'WelI, thanks lot for your
cooperation, Louis. Knowing I've
got it is going to help"
They shook hands and Leonard
left. For short while the publicity
man stood without motion, gazing
speculatively into space. He hadn't
told Fred that Ruby Brand was still
in town, dancing now in cheap
burlesque show; at the moment, it
didn't seem necessary. Yet sooner
or later she must learn that he was
free, back in Hollywood. Just what,
if anything, might happen then?
Garrison would have given more
than little for the answer.
Leonard was soon given a contract
at Zenith. The success cheered him,
and by the time his first picture was
ready for production, he seemed to
have regained real zest of living.
On a day midway in the second
week of shooting, however, some
thing happened. AS luncheon re-
cess was called and players COM
menced to file off the set, a call
boy appeared with a note for Fred
Leonard. He was seen to read it
and leave the stage abruptly, going
in the direction of Ms dressing room.
In hallway, Garrison met him
and spoke cordial greeting There
was no response. Startled by the
hunted look in Leonard's face, he
stood watching as the actor STROBE
rapidly away down the corridor
Then, obeying a sudden impulse, he
turned and followed.
The door of Leonard's dressing
room was just closing as Garrison
came in sight of it. Slowing his
pace, he sauntered past, listening
intently. The actors voice came to
him from behind the thin wall.
"All right, Ruby" it said; there
| am. What do you want?"
A woman's husky voice answered:
"Well, Freddie, I've got little
proposition to make you"
"Afraid there's not much chance
I'll be interested, but go ahead"
Ruby Brand laughed. 1t was a
harsh, mocking sound. Don't be
too sure; this is a pretty nice prop
Osition, for both of us. Listen: You
killed my husband-never mind
what about or anything else. You
went to the pen, but Pm the one it
was toughest on.
You're back in pictures now and
pretty sure to go over big. Well,
there's some people think my story
of what happened four years ago
would make good reading. They'll
pay fifteen hundred for it; it'll cost
you the same"
There was a brief silence. Then
Garrison heard Leonard say even
ly: "You must take me for a fool
What proof have l that your state
ments true?"
"Oh-so you think I'm bluffing,
she scoffed; "all right-the maya
zines the 'Four-Star Sensation 10
ask 'em-I don't care. A lawyer
this morning told me they can't 60