- Gail Vernon arrives late for a rehearsal and loses her job in the cast of a big Broadway show. Craig Stafford offers to set her up with an apartment, money, and clothes but she turns him down; she is not that kind of a girl. She is on the verge of poverty when she learns that her mother must have an expensive operation, so she tells Craig she is now that kind of girl. Mom dies, but Gail keeps her set-up. She meets playwright Lloyd Mason, who falls in love with her, but though she's somewhat interested, she decides to remain true-blue to Craig, who paid for her mother's unsuccessful operation and other items. But Craig, who is married, sees that Lloyd and Gail care for each other and steps aside. Then Gail realizes that she loves Craig. Meanwhile, Craig's wife runs away with another man, then dies. Lloyd then tells Gail to go to Craig.—Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
- Gail Vernon, leading woman of the Clancy Stock Company, was late for rehearsal. The part she was studying was so difficult that she had studied until daylight. However, James Clancy, under the insistence of Nina Carrington, "second woman" and with her heart set upon the "lead", gave no consideration to Gail on that account. Of the entire company only Bunny Dean, "the somewhat plump comedian", understood and sympathized with Gail. After the rehearsal, Gail, in her dressing room, found a strange letter awaiting her. It was signed Craig Stafford, after her first reading Gail could scarcely believe her eyes. She re-read the strange missive. Slowly it dawned upon her that this was the strangest proposition which had ever been made to a woman, The words seemed to remain before her eyes: "My Dear Miss Vernon: Perhaps I should apologize for addressing you without the formality of an introduction; however, I am a business man offering you a business proposition. I will lease and furnish an apartment, provide you with the necessary servants and open accounts for you in the shops... and it is my wish that you continue in the theatrical profession and I am anxious to place you in a position, enabling you to do full justice to your great ability." After six year of dream-killing struggle, the hardship she was even now going through it seemed strange that Gail hesitated. But there was only one road for her-the narrow, torturous road to success and she must climb it alone. The ashes of the letter fluttered lifelessly to the floor. Even as she held her dismissal before her. But the hard work took it toll-nights of study, and then endless days in search for work, days of rehearsal, evenings of work-until Gail suffered a mental breakdown. Bunny Dean visited her at the hospital, bringing flowers and good cheer, but Gail worried only about her future and wondered what would happen if she could not longer provide for her mother, back home in the little town. Never a thought to turn to Craig Stafford-the memory of who's strange letter remained ever with her. The day she took her last things to sell, so that she might pay her room rent, the message came saying that her mother was seriously ill. She must go home at once. With heavy heart she learned the truth from the doctor. Only an operation will save her mother. Then Gail did for her what she would never do for herself - she telephoned Craig Stafford. She accepted his offer. The money came. The operation. But Gail's mother died. Her sacrifice had been in vain. But true to her word, she went to Craig Stafford. His kindness, after her first embarrassment, overawed her. To help her in the theatrical profession he arranged to have tea with Lloyd Mason, foremost playwright of the day. Busy days of rehearsal. Slowly Gail and Lloyd were drawn closer together. Little was seen of Craig. He gave her the opportunity and she was working for success. It came, on the opening night-glowing reports- she had reached the pinnacle. With success came also the love of Lloyd Mason, and the man's jealousy of Craig. He asked Gail what was between them-she could only tell him "something and nothing-what the something is, I can't explain." Despite this, Lloyd, so much in love, asked her to be his wife. But Gail realized that could never be-she refused him. Hurriedly she sends for Craig. It is a difficult interview. When they have come to an understanding, Gail realized why she had refused Lloyd. She loved Craig Stafford. Lloyd also visits Craig and tells him of his love for Gail. Craig, realized he can never marry Gail, because another woman bears his name, leaves, sending Gail a note and telling her to marry Lloyd and forget him. For months Lloyd searched in vain for Craig, because he realized that Gail could never love him, for her heart had been given to Stafford. During the search he learns that Mrs. Craig Stafford died in an asylum fire. Secretly Craig returns to his home. Gail learns of it through one of the servants. Lloyd is with her. He decides that the right thing for him to do is to tell Craig that he and Gail have not married, before he goes away again. Lloyd tells Craig, too, that Gail loves him alone, has always loved him. From the servant, Gail also learned the great sorrow in Craig Stafford's past-his wife had run away with his best friend and the blow almost killed him, disillusioned him of all women, until Gail had come into his life. Gail found Craig at his home. He saw the love-light in her eyes, arms stretched out to her; she went into them and buried her head tightly against his shoulder as his arms folded closer about her.
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