Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-01-06
THE SUBSTITUTE
81 AGNES BRoeAN
scerceeSeeeSeSercsee1SeeSceee.
%, 1923. Western Newspaper Uniou.J

ri0us passengers dispose themselves.
She had been sent now after an al.
most impossible interview.
Miss Martha Dun was known to
round up notables and wiring from
them their secret thoughts, where 9th.
er reporters failed in approach.
So, now, the lovely lady entering
took a chair directly opposite. The
face was truly lovely, from thoughtful
blue eyes to tender curving lips.
The porter paid her the homage due
a parsonage, and she cast a little hale
smile in the direction of Martha Dun
before she turned to the WINDOW.
1t was at a country station that the
EVAN little girl'-again Martha's nam
ing-came hesitant up the car steps.
The porter led her to a seat before
that of the lovely lady and across
from Martha Dun-A search of a
story.
The story promised to be enacted be-
fore her eyes, for the girl. swaying sud
denly. turned a frightened glance on
her neighhor Il am ill.," she said
Tremblingly weak, the girl toppled,
a crumpling bundle of navy-blue on the
car floor.
The lovely lady, ra~ing the brown
head, murmured words Of encourage
ment. you will be all right, my dear,
ia few moments"
II will be unable to continue the
journey" the wan little girl said rue
fully. And it would mean SO much to
Granny and me. You see, / was to
sing tonight at a small town entertain
ment. They were to pay me" she add
ed impressively-tw dollars. Now,
l shall have to get off at the next stop
and go back home"
you love to sing?" the lovely lady
asked.
"All my life, 1 have longed to be
singer. My name is Alice Sanders"
the girl offered. Granny has sacri-
feed great deal to give me the small
benefit of local teaching"
The girls eyes twinkled. Friends
would tell you that l have a remark
able voice-the rest Of the world has
not awakened to that fact. You are
kind to listen. Good-by."
From her purse she drew a note
book and pencil write for me" she
requested, "a line Of introduction. Just
say, "A friend, substituting for Miss
! Sanders"
The line was written before Alice
! In her establishment was fully aware,
stop at Waycross," she directed
breethlessly; they will have some one
to meet you there"
May L." inquired Martha Dun Of
the lovely lady take this seat for a
moment? 1 would like to talk with
| you" But the lady, turning from
1 farewell wave to Alice, smiled pla-
catingly please, no" she said.
A solitary old man was waiting at
Waycross station. His disappointment
in not finding Alice Sanders was evil
dent. Allce's friend approached him
with her explanation and he offered,
not very graciously, to take her over
to the hail, TO tsee the committee
''They are waiting there" he said
Martha Dun, coming out of Way
cross station, followed resolutply on
up the hill. The Hill was filled that
evening and disappointment in their
favorite's absence was apparent on all
sides. opposite the numbers on the
program that Alice was to have sung,
was written simply-"S Substituting
for Miss Sanders"
The lovely lady looked down on her
unsmiling audience and sang the songs
| that Alice had chosen. The house was
very still-then they applauded. The
singers face flushed happily.
Martha Dun sat on the fl, mt seat.
When the applause had died away the
lovely lady took place at her side.
Miss Dun,n she said, q ask that
you viii not mar my happy hour by
publicity. Let me tell you. That girl
who entered the train today might
have been myself years ago-With my
difficulties and yearning ambition.
When | stood on that crude stage to-
night, / was carried back to my first
public singing in our town hail. the
very country town from which Alice
came today. And in all my professional
triumphs have never since known the
thrill of that first appearance-the
friendly faces everywhere. You viii
not use this little story
A man with hair grazing at the tenn
pies came hurrying toward the two.
Before the noted singer of two con-
tlnents he paused. Dora {" he ex-
claimed. Toni" cried the lovely lady
Il came here" he went on. filled
/ with hope because little patient or
mine told Of a generous sweet lady
/ who volunteered to take her place at
this entertainment. Her description
the news Of your return to this coun-
I try-and I do find you, after a'L
/ Dora y
Martha Dun slipped away. At -h6
door she stopped 70 replace the re-
porter's tablet I'm her bag Then a
voice called 70 her-the lovely lad :
j face was radiant.