The daily Alaskan., 1913-12-03
THE UNDERSTUDY
By LOUISE E. CUMMINGS

A young man came aboard anu loOASu about for an empty seat. There was but one vacant, and he sat down in 1t beside a handsomely dressed, middle aged lady, who moved aside to make room for him, changing at the same time the position of certain articles or hand baggage.
 "You are very kind," said the young man.
 Not atall," replied the lady. "l am simply not especially selfsh.'
 Tt is a case of selfshness that causes me to make this journey" re- marked the young man.
 'Indeedw said the lady in a tone that seemed to invite further con- | fdence
 "Ycs. My sister is an actress. She has been an uuderstudy for the lead l ing lady at the theater with which she is connected. My sister has natural talent for the kind of acting required in the part and became un- derstudy for it, hoping that she might get an opportunity to play it.and make ! a hit in it. She has already done so ln private theatricals. But the leading lady has not been obliged to give over the part to her understudy once dur ing the whole time she has been the understudy. l didn't wish BesS to go on the stage, and now that she has be- come discouraged by her long walt have persuaded her to give up trying to be an actress and come home. If the leading lady would but give her one opportunity to show what she can do it is quite possible that BcsS might get an arrangement at a fine salary"
 The lady listened to this with con siderable interest and at the end said:
 You didn't say with what theater your sister is connected.'
 No l have no wish to openly ac- cuse her principal of Selfshness."
 "It doesn't matter. am acquainted with a numbcr of theatrical persons and know that Elizabeth Twiuing is uudcrstudy for the leading lady at the National. who plays under the stage name Helen Wadsworth, but who is really Miss Stanforth I'm glad you have told me of this case of your sis ter. It puts the matter of an under study in a different light from the way theatrical persons see if. They con slider an uudersudy some one who is prepared to take a part in case the actor or actress must be temporarily laid off. They are a selfish lot and don't suppose it has occurred to this Helen Wadsworth that by giving up one nights profit she might enable your sister to make her fortune"
 If you know her l trust you will not mention what l have said"
 "I do know her and, thought, very well, but from what you say l have not known her as well as l supposed. I shall suggest to her to give your sis ter one night in which to play the lead ing part. She doubtless receives some thing like SjOO for each performance, and. though the amount is considera- bIc, it would be only about a sixth of her weekly income. The only excuse for her not having given way in favor of your sister is that the purchasers Of tickets pay to see Helen Wadsworth and not Elizabeth Twining.'
 "I never thought of that" said the young man.
 If it is an excuse it Is a poor one"
 Young Twining was very much pleased with his rencOunter and what it promised. The lady did not say that she would secure his sister the OppOr- tuujry she desired, but she intended to try. Twining begged her to ap- proach the subject glngerIy, to which she readily agreed, assuring him that on no account would she make any trouble. However, she cautioned him against raising any hopes in his sister that might not be realized.
 Twiulng arrived in the city in the morning, and the same evening word was sent to the manager that Helen WadSwOrth had taken a cold and her voice had become so husky that she would not be able to play her part that night. Miss Twining, who ex- pectcd at the end of the week to go home with her brother, was hopeful that her going might not now be nee essary.
 She hardly did herself justice, being agitated at assuming so important role. But Helen Wadsworth sent word that she would doubtless be confined to her room for several days and per haDs longer, so the uuderstudy had more opportunity. On the second night sue did her best. making a pro nounced hit which was maintained in the other performances. Then Helen WadswOrth returned to her work.
 On the last night that Elizabeth Twtning played the principal part, aft ar being called before the curtain again and again, she found an invita- ton in her dressing room to sup with Helen WadswOrth and bring her broth. CT. who, the hostess had heard, was with her. The two were driven to the hotel where the actress was stopping,
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