The daily Alaskan., 1915-04-01
She Found Her
 Vocation
By EuNIcE BLAKE


 and few months later her mother found herself responsible for the sup port of herself and several brothers and sisters very much younger than herself. What should she do to feed and clothe her little ones2 She had shown some talent in private theatri- cals for histrionics and had been told that she would achieve success on the stage. An old friend of her mother offered to advance a certain sum by which she might receive some educa' ton as an actress, and Helen avsiled herself of il, taking lessons of an elo- cutioniSt.
 Her instructor did not encourage her. Be told her that her enUnciation was peculiar to herself and that it was un- attractive. As for her action, especial lv her facial expression, 1t was all that could be desired. But she could not hope to please with that alone, and her cnunciatioa would so repel an audi ence that her valuable qualities would not be appreciated.
 Helen's friends told her that this was rubbish. She had pleased private au- 1 diencas and she would with the same ] gifts please the public. Helen believed them because she preferred to believe them. She did not know that intimate friends, even if competent critics, will seldom give an unbiased criticism. As for professional critics, while they may judge as to what is artistic, when 1t comes to judging what the public will fancy they are as much at sea as any one else. s..--
 Helen, encouraged by her friends, persevercd After a nasty preparation she attempted. with the assistance Of friends. to get an engagement. She was offered parts In which she would have but a few words to say, but she felt that they would give her no oppor- tunitv to show what she could do, and she pushed on for something better. Finally, at the earnest solicitation of q friend, she was given trial. It was arranged that she should Gnderstudy for 2 part that would test her powers, and the person whom she was under studying agreed to give way to her as soon as she was ready to make the trial.
 In due time she appeared in the role she had been preparing for She made A dismal failure. She felt her part, acted her part. but she could not speak her part. As her pr raceptor had warned | her, her enunciatiOu spoiled the whole.
 What shall I do?" she moaned "l have spent the money furnished me to study and have failed"
 "I have heard" said her instructor that these men who show moving photographs are beginning to give little plays. If you are ia need of money vou might make something In that way"
 HCIen's heart sank within her. What-give up her dreams of having her name posted in enormous letters as famous actress, to be photo crsuhed for ten cent showl Horriblel Nevertheless. going home to lot Of hungry children. with nothing to buy food for them, sent her the next day to q studio where a picture play was just beginning to be made ready for pres entation to the public. Although the manager had no experience at that early date in producing such plays, 1t occurred to him that the chief feature in them was the acting, especially the facial expression. Beauty was also an advantage, and Helen was comedy.
 Let me see you look like a thief caught red handed" he said.
 Helen obeyed.
 Good! Now laugh. Good againI Look at me with naughty contempt. Excellent! You are condemned to death. You are an innocent girl listen ing to the first words of love. That will do. You have the power of ex- pressing by your face what you feel Tn your case words are not needed. What salary do you expectT'
 "Whatever you choose to pay"
 q will start you ct S25 a week, but i I am sure you will soon be worth more than that"
 Helen was surprised. How easy was the getting of this situation compared with her efforts to secure 6 trial at which she had failed! The manager advanced a weeks salary, anxious to bind the bargain and fearing some oth' CT manager would get her away from him.
 He gave her q part In the play that he was about making photographs for, and 1t was at once evident that she ] would make great success. And she did
 Helen Wardeld within few months was receiving S1OO 6 week and Is now ! a prime movie favorlte. She has seen ! the day when famous actors and actresses are proud to perform by pho tograDh She has a genius for tn- terpreting humanity by expression, though she has no gift whatever for rendering it in speech. The plays Sc lected for her are such as may be rem dered in this way. She has acted the title role in some of the famous plays ' but they are those In which the strength lies In the acting rather than i the speech.
 | If is needless rd add that Helen War