The Tupelo journal., 1912-01-19
Helen Tracy's
Love Affair
By MOLLY McMASTER


was playing because she was. like
many other women, in love with the
actor.
1t was scarcely probable that the
noted actor had even noticed her on
the few occasions when she a en-
tered his dressing room with a note
or message from the fair sex.
Nevertheless, Helen continued to
gaze with adoring eyes at the natl
nee idol during the long run OF a
successful play. From the lines OF
her hero to the half-line of the under
servant Helen knew the play. So
many times had she witnessed the
performance that she could have
gomez straight through the play with
out a break in the lines.
Only occasionally did she grieve
'over the loss of money which had
been the cause of Ter having 10 leave
THE dramatic schoc. at which she had
studied; only occasionally she longed
for the wild applause of the audience.
For the most part she was content to
e the play from the less nerve
racking side of the footlights.
Upon the last night of the run.
Helen went down to the theater in
a very detected state of mind. The
play was being taken out on the road
and there was no capacity in which
Helen felt that she could follow. She
had thought of asking for a small
part when at the last minute a va
conor rod hut hnr hotfpp fudQ-
ment told her that she would soon
grow tired of the %one-night stands.
She entered the theater with a
'heartIbreaking picture of tew York
minus Wallace Drew. minus his pic
-ture on all bi1lboards and minus his
very name. ssss
Helen found the company In a wild
estate OF excitement. The leading
lady could not appear and her under
study had eloped that very day. There
were few women in the cast and
none Of them In any way equal to
stepping into the Part.
Il will play Lady Everly. tonight"
Helen Tracy said: Il am word-per-
feet in the part, at least" she added
Eby way of encouragement.
The magnetisW which had long
Been hiden beneath a demure re-
serve in the little usher suddenly
made itself felt. Something in the
calm of her eyes sent its message to
the manager. He breathed a sigh OF
relief; it was the last night, anyway,
and the girl at least had beauty and
grace in her favor.
All of the company save Wallace
drew felt that rescue had come In
the form Of Helen Tracy. He alone
was morbidly sensitive. He was a
great actor and therefore fearsome
of his own work when playing oppo-
site an amateur.
*Have you played at all?" he asked
II have studied-a little" Helen
>answered, meeting his yes calmly.
She was a trihe angered that the man
she loved should be the one to damp
en- her courage.
His gloom ~deerened when he dis
covered that there vas nj time to
~relrearse one scene The theater was
seven then being opened.
Helen Tracy flew to the stars
dressing room and put herself into
the hands of the stars maid and into
the stars gown for the first act.
Luckily, the gowns fitted.
Flushed with excitement and with
eyes grown wide and brilliant Helen
.gazed at her reflection in the stars
uniTror.
She realized that she was beautiful
j a way far more compelling than
the woman whose clothes she wore.
She smiled at the maid who had
dressed her and found encouragement
in the admiration in the woman's
eyes.
81 admire your pluck" said the
woman, land even If you can't act
you're a Joy to look at" She turned
b. aside to pick up Helen's plain gray
suit. II don't know where you've
? been keeping your good looks all this
time" she remarked frankly.
Helen laughed and pointed to the
. suit. I'm those" she said.
Helen~stood in the wings awaiting
! 5h0rNCuo. Her u6TN6S WcIc strangely
steady. The thing had come upon
her so suddenly that the tremor Of
anticipation had fortunately not been
hers.
Her heart thumped for a moment
when she first spoke in the words of
Lady Everly. and met Wallace Drew's
eyes on the artificial side of the foot
lights, but she soon found her
strength.
AS the play proceeded Helen Tracy
watched the light, grow in the actors
eyes. She was compelling admira-
ton in the eyes she loved just as
she was drawing, her audience with
her.
Unconsciously, a shade more of fer
yor ,crept into Wallace Drew's acting;
Helen Tracy responded and the long
pept-up love which she had held in
her heart so long burst forth and made
of Lady Everly q part which stood out
wildly.
Helen Tracy was not a great actress