The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-04-22
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! MINISTER'S CHUM
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BY VINCENT q. PERRY.
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per Syndicate)

1t was just another of Efie's disap-
pointments, but 1t seemed harder than
the rest. She had built so much on
enc 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.
She was reused from her thoughts
by the sound of the outer door OPEN
Ing. A man stood in the doorway.
Am l late for the rehearsal, Miss
Mclntosh?' he asked as he stepped in
side. 1t was Mr.. Sterling, the minis
ter's college chum, who was spending
a few weeks at the rectory. ~ i.
u am sorry. it is sill' over. You
promised to come and see that things
got along all right, Mr.. Sterling" "A
"Did they?" VT,
II hoped it would be better" She
said.
''rhat is too bad" he consoled. GLOW
would it be if 1 helped you in earnest.
I had little experience in amateur
theatrlcals when went to college,"
"Why didn't think of it before?"
she exclaimed. "Will you play the
leading part?"
"Tll have to hear the play before
consent-suppose you read it to me
now"
They found seat close to the stage
and Fife 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. After an
hour of steady reading Fife closed
the book. Sterling watched her closely
for moment and then exclaimed ear
nestly, "Gad, young lady, you have tai
ent !"
'Thank you" Effie laughed. "Will
you play the part of Randolph
II don't like the play" he announced.
II have copy of q 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"
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.
AS the date set for the performance
drew near, Effie's confidence grew. It
was going to be 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 through his own part like a
professional. If 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..
Sterling was responsible for it all, she
knew, and FASTENED to find him, but
he seemed to be evading her and she
| hnd IN Srix To
act.
The curtain went up on full house.
Effie had time to see that before she
was lost in her part. The man who
was acting beside her was not the Mr..
Sterling with whom she had re-
hearsed; he was the character of the
play. His acting was wonderful; she
realized that and it spurred her to
greater effort. The applause that re-
| sounded through the hall at the con-
clusion of the act told her her efforts
| were appreciated and the play was q
success. Curtain call after curtain call
| Sterling and she had to respond to.
After it was all over and Fife had
partly awakened from the spell it had
cast over her, she sought out Sterling.
He did not evade her this time.
He did not give her chance to
| speak. "You did wonderfully, little
girl. That last scene was one of the
prettiest pieces of work / have ever
seen. 1t made me wish / was MAX
ing love to you in real earnest" he
said.
isn't that strange-your acting af-
fected me in the same way" she
blushed. "You were so wonderful
SO like real actor"
"Then you wouldn't mind my max
ing love to you-asking you to marry
me in real earnest?' he asked, taking
her hand.
ooh, but you wouldn't-you are not
in earnest" she stammered.
II was never more in earnest In my
life. / love you and l want you to 70
back to New York with me as my wife
and open the season with me in the
part you played tonight"
"New York-open the season? Then
you are real actor-you are Fred
erick Sterling, the famous star? Oh,