The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-02
EVENING STORY
The Minister'S Chum.
BY VINCENT @. PERRY.

BY VINCENT G. PERRY.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.D
1t was just another of Effie's disap-
pointments but it seemed harder than
the rest. She had built so much on
the success of her first attempt at
directing an amateur theatrical pro-
duction and now she was faced with
failure. 1t was the night of the sec
ond rehearsal-so wretched an affair
that she was sure she would have to
give up. To begin with, one of the
girls had lost the copy of her part-a
part that Effie had spent more than
two hours tipping for her; only two
arrived on time-the rest struggled in
at intervals making it nine o'clock be-
fore all were present; to add to her
troubles the young man who was TO
play the leading part had announced
his intentions of leaving the town for
a position in the city the next week.
Effie had kept up spirit until the
others left the hall-she lived so near
she had refused their offers to see her
home-but when the door closed after
them she burst into tears.
She would have to give it all up, she
could see that. The Red Cross need
ed the money the play would raise for
it and the town needed something to
keep it alive, but someone else would
have to start somethinS-she was
thru. 1t was hard to give up,
though. The leading part in the play
just suited her and it would give her
a chance to show the townfolk that
her aspirations to go on the stage
were not aroused solely by idle vanity.
Oh, why couldn't people see she was
just burning up with the desire to
do something worth while in the world
and give her just the little encourage
ment she needed. She had written
every play producer she had ever
heard of and asked them all for Just
the smallest chance to show she could
make good, but her letters had been
been made of stone not to have lis
tened to her appeal for she had
opened her whole heart to them
theatrical men were hard and cruel
forgotten completely the time when
they were inexperienced and waiting
for a helping hand to put them on the
road that eventually led to fame.
There was nothing to do but wait
and trust that chance some day would
give her her opportunity and, when it
did come, grasp it and work hard to
make it what she had dreamed Of
She was reused from her thoughts
by the sound of the outer door OPEN
ing A man stood in the doorway.
The sight of him startled her but his
voice treasured her.
Am 1 late for the rehearsal, Miss
McIntosh?" he asked as he stepped
inside. 1t was Mr.. Sterling, the min
listers college chum, who was spend
ing few weeks at the rectory.
Il am sorry, it is all over. You
promised to come and see that things
got along all right, Mr.. Sterling"
Did they?"
81 hoped it would be better" She
tried to smile cheerfully but felt that
he would guess at the real state of
affairs, SO confessed her troubles.
That is too bad" he consoled. How
would it be if 1 helped you in earnest.
had little experience in amateur
theatricals when 1 went to college"
why didn't 1 think of it before ?"
she exclaimed. will you play the
leading part?"
consent-suppose YOU read it to me
now" a.s-
They found a seat close to the stage
and Effie commenced reading. His
eyes never left her face for an instant,
but she was so engrossed in the lines
that she did not notice him. The play
was just an ordinary type of play,
specially prepared for amateur pro-
duction; it would have grown weari-
some to Sterling had not Effie put ex-
preston into the otherwise listless
lines. After an hour of steady reading
Effie closed the book. Sterling
watched her closely for a moment and
then exclaimed earnestly, Cad. young
lady, you have talent"
Thank YOU" Effie laughed, her
cheeks burning. 1t was an unexpected
pleasure to be praised by a stranger
such a handsome one. too. She
fastened to change the Subject Will
you play the part of Randolph? ?" she
asked.
II don't like the play" he an
nounced. Il have a copy of a much
finer one in my trunk. If you will
change to it I will be glad to take the
leading role and there is a splendid
part in 1T for you-a part to fit your
talent more than the one in this play"
But 1 couldn't write the parts for
the others in time" she gasped
81 can have books here for the whole
cast by this time tomorrow. Come
over to the rectory now and read the
play to see if you like it" His ear
nestness was apparent. After a mo-
ment's thought she consented.
The play was better than Effie had
imagined a. play could be. The part
just suited her but she feared she
could not do it justice. Sterling
brushed the fears aside and a week
later rehearsals were well on the way
for the new play. The presence of
they started to work with a vim.
AS the date set for the performance
drew near, Effie's confidence grew. 1t
was going to be a big success there
was little doubt of that. Mr.. Sterling
had worked untiringly with her and
the others to make life and energy
appear in the lines. She knew his
criticisms were given just where they
were needed and it helped her to make
her part what she knew it should be.
He went thru his own part like a
professional. If a man with talent like
he had couldn't find a place on the
stage what hope was there for her,
Effie often wondered.
The all important night arrived.
Effie's preparations made her. arrival
late. When she entered at the rear
door and emerged on the stage she was
greeted with a big surprise. The
stage was set with bright. new scenery
and two stage carpenters were put
ting on the finishing touches. Mr..
Startling WAS resnnnsihle for ii all she