South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-23
The Minister'S Chum
By Vincent C. Perry

u was just another Of Eme's dis
appointments but IL seemed harder
than the rest. She had built 50
much on the s-ocess or her first at
ten-t az directing an amateur the
atricaI production and now she was
faced with failure. II was the night
OF the second rehearsal-so wretch
60 an affair that she was sure she
would have 70 give I'd TO begin
with, one OF the girls had lost the
copy OF her part--a part that Ef1e
had spent more than two hours typ
ing for her: only two arrived on time
the rest struggled IN at intervals
making 81 nine o'clock before all
were present. 70 add 20 her troubles
the young man who was 20 play
the leading part had announced Lis
5ntensions Of leaving town for q
position in the city the next week.
Ellie had kept up spirit until the
others left tho hall she lived so
near she had refused their efforts 10
see her hOme-but when the door
closed after them she burst into
tears
She would have % give 10 all up.
che could see tibet. The Red Cross
needed the money the play would
raise for II and the town needed
something 20 keep u alive. but some
one else would have 10 start some
thing ~ she was through II was
hard 20 give up. though The lead
ing part in the play just suited her
and IL would give her a chance 20
show the townfolll that her aspir-
ations 10 90 on the stage we're 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 1.-THE world
and give her just the little encour-
agemcnt she needed. She had writ
ten every play producer she had ever
heard OF and asked them all for JUS,
the smallest chance 70 show she
could make good. but her letters had
been unansw cred. Their hearts must
have been made OF stone not 20 have
listened 10 her appeal for she had
opened her whole heart 70 them
theatrical men were hard and cruel
she had become convinced: they had
forgotten completely the time when
they were inexperienced and WAITING
for a helping hand TO put them on
the road that eventually led 70 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 10 make 1t what she had
dreamed Of.
She was reused from her thought,
by the sound Of the outer door
opening man stood in the door.
way The sight OF him startled he,
hut his voice reassuredl her.
Am I late for the rehearsal. Miss
Mcintosh %" he asked as he stepped
inside. It was Nr. Sterling, the
spending a few weeks at the rectory
Il am sorry, il Is all over. You
promised to come and see that things
got along all right, Mr.. sterling"
Did they2'
Il hoped IL would be better" Sh'
tried 20 smile cheerfully but fel
that he would guess at the real stat,
of affairs. so confessed her troubles
That Is TOO bad he consOled
How would it be if I helped YOU il
earnest. had a little experience
in amateur theatricals when L wen
10 college"
WHY didn't / think Of it befoye2'
she exclaimed "Wiu YOU play the
leading part"
III have 10 hear the play befOr,
consent-suppose YOU read it u
me now"
They found a seat close 10 tine
stage and EIne commenced reading
Ills ewes never left her face for al
instant but she was so engrossed II
the lines that she cid not motto,
him The play was Just an ordinary
type Of play especially prepared fol
amateur production: II would hav,
grown wedTisOme to Sterling ia
not Enie put expression into IN,
otherwise listless lines After an
hour of steady reading Enie close
the book Sterling watched hel
neely for q moment and then eN