The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-04-15
The Understudy
BY KATE EDMUNDS
70. 1921. Western Newspaper Union. }

| oeNuy Aoh thC icduinB dCtTcsS vi the
Eastern Stock company. Her great
est ambition was to be given an op-
| portunity to show her skill and ability
as an actress. Night after night she
stood at the stage door waiting to
hear If her services were needed, and
when word was given that Miss War,
rington was in good health and able to
appear, she heaved a sigh of disap-
| pOintment.
Julian Forsythe had been her de-
voted admirer since their childhood
days, but now he craved for something
more than mere friendship. He had
little sympathy with her aspiration
to become an actress.
"Graziella, this is absolutely the
last time in any shape or manner that
l will ask you again." said the young
man with determined air. 81 have an
offer to go West to investigate some
farm lands. Shall we go together? l
hate to think of you here all alone In
this big city,"
Don't worry about me. I'm fully
capable Of taking care of myself"
"All right" responded Forsythe.
yearning to take her in his arms, VOW
ing that he would do his utmost to
prevent her from receiving fervent
stage kisses and embraces from some
stranger before an audience Of hun
dreds Of people.
The following morning Miss War
rington received a note from Julian
Forsythe, asking her to allow him to
call In regard to an urgent personal
matter. The messenger boy returned
with the answer that she would see
him at three o'clock the next day.
Promptly at three he presented his
card and was admitted into Miss War
rington's private room.
"Oh!" she calculated, "are you the
son Of Julian Forsythe?"
"Yes, but my father has been dead
for many years; did you know him"'
he inquired, wondering at how old
and haggard she looked now while In
the evening from behind the foot
lights she seemed youth personified.
"Please be seated" she said in her
most charming manner. "YOu look
just as your father did years ago. and
all the applause and glory cannot
recompense me for the honest, true
devotion that he offered me, and
which 1 scorned and cast aside, daz-
zled by the glamor of the stage"
When she had finished, Julian con-
fided to her how similar his fathers
experience was to his own. A long
silence ensued, for Miss Warrington's
heart was filed with conflicting emo
lions as she reviewed the past, and
realized that another young girl en-
deavored to do exactly as she had
done. Her thoughts were interrupted
by Julian's voice. AT first I thought |
you might think 1t presumptuous on
my part to bother a stranger with my |
affairs, but I'm glad I came now. and
hope you will let me come often"
Certainly. I will always be de-
lighted to see you. We must be |
friends, and to show that mean 1t,
for the first time I shall be too Ill to
act tomorrow night"
"Thank you for your kind inten-
lions; but what good will that dor"
"Graziella will then have her
chance. She will also show that she
isn't at all capable of taking the part.
When she realizes her failure, no
doubt If you ask her again at the
crucial moment she may give up all
hopes Of stage career"
The stage manager could hardly be-
lieve his ears when he heard that the
leading lady was too indisposed to
appear at the evening performance.
Desperate, he sent telegram to Miss
requesting her to report i'm
at the theater.
''Hurrah, hurrahl" she exclaimed.
"At last I am going to be star for
one night, and who can tell7 Maybe
Just as she was about to go to the
managers office she tripped on the
step and turned her ankle. She tried
to suppress scream, but the pain was
agonizing. Two or three persons
.ushed to her assistance and helped
her to her feet, and when the manager
heard Of the trouble a doctor was sent
FOR instantly. The doctor announced Z
that 1t was bad sprain and probably .
Miss Fernald would not be able to
walk for three weeks. The manager {
,tOrmed around and used all the choice g
paths of his vocabulary. Graziella's
was too keen to give \
vent to in words. She was the picture =
If disappointment. Once again the a
manager took up the phone and in !
ormed Miss Warrington Of his diem c
ma. After brief statement of the
accident, he received the promise that
The would appear as usual Her illness
lad miraculousN passed.
One Of the men assisted Graziella
o cab, and she burst into parox- I
'sm Of tears as soon as she was alone.
When Julian heard of the accident he
lurried up to the boarding house and
inquired for Graziela.
I'm so glad you came, Julian.
lad my chance and lost it," she said
nournfully.
"Well. suppose you give me