The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-12-04
THE
UNDERSTUDY
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

A train Of cars stopped at station.
A young man came aboard ana lookeo
about for an empty seat. There was
but one vacant, and he sat down In IL
beside handsomely dressed, middle
aged lady, who moved aside to make
room for him, changing at the same
time the position Of certain articles OF
hand baggage.
you are very kind" said the young
man.
Not at ALL" replied the lady. Il am
simply not especially selfish"
1T is case Of selhshneSS That
causes me to make this Journey" re-
marked the young man.
.Indeed!" said the lady in tone
that seemed to invite further con-
fde1ce.
Eyes. My sister is an actress. She
has been an understudy for the lead
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 I'M
derstudy for it, hoping that she might
get an opportunity to play it and make
a hit in it. She has already done so
in 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. II
the leading lady would but give her
one opportunity to show what she can
do it is quite possible that Bess might
get an engagement 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
mo l have no wish to openly ac-
cuse her principal of selfishness."
ut doesn't matter. / am acquainted
with a number of theatrical persons
and know that Elizabeth Twining is
understudy 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
ter 1t puts the matter of an under
study in Il different light from the way
theatrical persons see it. They con-
slider an understudy some one who Is
prepared to take part in case the
actor or actress must be temporarily
laid off. They are a selfish lot, and
l 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 trust you will not
mention what have said"
Il do know her and, thought, very
well, but from what you say l have
not known her as we'll as l supposed.
l 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 $500 for each performance,
and, though the amount Is considera-
BILE, it would be only about 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."
Il never thought of that" said the
young man.
IF it is an excuse it is 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-
tunity she desired, but she intended
to try. Twining begged her to APP
proach the subject gingerly. 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.
Twining 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-
pected 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 a
role. But Helen Wadsworth sent word
that she would doubtless be confined
to her room for several days and per-
haps longer, SO the understudy had
more opportunity. On the second
night she did her best, making u pro-
nounced hit. which was maintained
in the other performances. Then Helen
Wadsworth returned to her work.
On the last night that Elizabeth
Twfning played the principal part, aft
er 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
er, who, the hostess had heard. was
with her. The two were driven to the
hotel where the actress was stopping.
expecting to find her with her throat
wrapped in hannels. But she adyanc-
ed to meet them with no signs Of ILL.,
ness and with an extended hand for
Mr.. Twining.
She was the woman he had met IN
the train.
permit me to thank you," she said