Gloria Goes Thirsty

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 786, 5 October 1929, Page 22

Gloria Goes Thirsty

Hoax That Wasn’t Appreciated

LORIA SWANSON, internationally famous as a I 'sA film star anti in private HfcvtiPni life the Marquise de la Falaise de la Coudraye, received a surprise package on board the White Star liner Olympic before sailing for London the other day. The movie star did not board the ship until after midnight, and. as usual, there ■were many gifts of flowers, candies and fruit in her suite when she arrived tvith several friends. There was one costly looking package about 30 inches long and 20 "inches wide that stood out from all the others because of the gilt tasselled blue ribbons and gold cords with

■ which it was bound, and the giltedged card attached bearing a large seal. It attracted the attention of the movie star, who asked the steward to open It. After the silken tissue paper had been taken off and the gilt-edged cardboard box was opened it was found to contain an artistically designed laurel wreath. Partly concealed by the green leaves in the centre of the box was a large, musty bottle elaborately sealed, which bore a label, inscribed “Bethlehem Rye, Guaranteed Twenty Years Old.” The actress was pleased and said: “There is time to open the bottle (Continued in next column.)

and have a drink before we sail. Steward, please fetch me some mineral water, ice and glasses quickly.” The attendant sped swiftly, while the others in the suite looked eager. After a struggle the actress separated the bottle from the wreath and held it up to the light. But the light

did not shine through the ambercoloured liquid, because no liquid was there. There was a brief silence and then a hollow laugh went round the thirsty circle of friends. The actress did not even look at the card .to see the name of the joker. But she clasped the bottle firmly in her right hand and glared.