The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-08
EVENING STORY
Opportunity.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

that every one save himself failed to
recognize, and even, he had no idea of
its extent. The ambition to be an
| actor had grown on Harry from the
day he had seen his first play. Start
ing out with school boy recitations and
ending up with college dramatics he
had cultivated the taste for stage life.
But there he was in Bloomstead.
clerk in the drug store, his small sal
airy going every week for the neces-
stiles of life. There did not seem to
be a chance in the world for him to
get away from there, yet, somehow he
did not give way to that thought. Il
have just got to ger on the stage"
he told himself more than once day,
that's where I belong"
OF course, like every other helpless
young man with such ambitions, he
| wrote to every play producer he ever
heard of, and poured out his story.
Some of them answered him, most of
| them did not. The answers were ALI
about the same. Forget it, was the
underlying thought, tho they went at
it in a kindly fashion, charging on the
announcements the theatrical profess
sion offered to the novice. None of
them did as he hoped; that is, write
and say, Come right along. We will
give you a chance to make good and
we will pay you enough to keep you
from starving and to buy your ticket
home again if you don't suit" They
looked on him as Just a 'moon-eyed
rube." They forgot the days when
they were longing for that chance.
when helping hand would have put
them on their feet. That's what
Harry thought, anyway.
However, Harry was not going to be
denied all the pleasure of footlights and
applause. Amateur dramatics offered
a little soothing ointment to his long
ings. AS leading man and director of
the Bloomstead Dramatic society he
was filling in all his spare time. The
second rehearsal for The Romance
of Lillian" was scheduled for that
night at the town hall and Harry was
losing no time in getting there. He
had big hopes for this play. 1t gave
him an opportunity for some real act
ing in the last act, and there was a
vague hope that some one of influence
in the dramatic world might hear of
his success in it.
But at the town hall disappointment
was lurking. Clorene Colbert. the
chosen leading lady, baked at the
kissing scene. Papa says if I am to
be kissed in this play 1 can't be in it,"
/ Clorene told Harry with rural tartness.
MY mother thinks it would be aw-
full to have kissing in it, one of the
other girls in the case agreed. Right
there an argument started that ended
in Clorene's leaving in tears The re
7 hearsal was upset for the evening, and
further rehearsals were postponed I'M
til a new heroine could be secured.
Poor Harry! He had never been so
Disguised as he was that night. What
| did these rubeS know about art, any,
way. he asked himself. The idea of
Clorene baking at the kissing scenel
As IL stage kiss meant anythingi
Where could he get another heroine
All the girls with any ability at all
were in the cast already. But, mol
There was that new arrival, the young
1 lady from the city who was visiting
the minister's wife. Would she take
| the part? There was only one way
/ - HI =
put that one way in operation.
Ruth Hedley listened to Harry's
plea and smiled kindly. The ambition
of the young man before her could not
help making its impression.
Let me read your play" she said
when Harry had finished The young
leader of the dramatic society handed
over the manuscript willingly. AS
Ruth sat and read Harry watched her
face. He had not noticed before how
very beautiful she was. When she
smiled she was simply glorious. Why,
: Clorene was not in it with her!
Ruth finished the manuscript.
, Read that last act to me-" She
handed the play over to Harry for
Harry started to read. his voice and
l expression gathering strength as the
act proceeded. 1t was not a strong
play, but Harry certainly made the
best of it.
"splendidr Ruth applauded when
he had finished Mr.. Thomas YOU
! are a born actor"
At last some one had recognized his
! ability. Harry blushed radiantly and
! blurted out his thanks. Somehow
this charming young lady left him be-
, reft of words
: why not get a stronger play-one
( with more life in it and that Will give
t you chance to act?" Miss Hedley
suggested. II have the manuscript of
one in my trunk that will be the very
thing. I would be pleased to play the
leading part in it,
But it takes so long to write out
the parts for the Others" Harry de-
INJURED.
Il can have typed manuscripts here
from the city in less than a week."
Ruth told him. Are you on?"
make these people sit up"
The people of Bloomstead certainly
/, did sit up. Never had there been
such ruffle in their midst as the
( dramatic society made that fall The
$ rehearsals for the new play went off
Y with record success and the night for
the performance arrived
: Behind the footlights in the town
hall Harry was excited and his nerves
: were strung to the highest pitch. 1t
- was the first time he had been at
v fected that way.
The many wonderful surprises were
responsible for it. he thought
To begin with. Ruth's presence, and
assistance with the directing had made
the dramatic society's talent" come
out to an amazing degree. Why, the
coaching she had given Harry made
him feel almost like a professional
There was one thing that puzzled him
She was n remarkable coach. but her
own actinS could be improved upon in
many places, he thought. Sometime s
she had showed some CT the fire she
instilied in the others. but On the
whole she kept her talent, If she did
possess any in restraint. Then there
{ had been the scenerv--eaI city
scenery that arrived in time for the
y last rehearsal, a surprise arranged by
v Ruth. Was there ever such a girl as