Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-01-09
N'eronica's Dreams
Come True
By JOHN FRANCIS
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NJ EhONlCA MARVIN uuu tWo
golden dreams. One was of becOm-
ing distinguished dramatic actress.
And the other, far superior even to the
first, was a dream of winning the love
of Robert Aswell. To Veronica, Rob-
ert Aswell was the handsomest man
in the world and the greatest actor In
the history of the theater.
Now they were in the same COM
pany, Aswell as the star of An Epi'
sode of the Crusaders" and Veronica
as the makeup woman. A romantic
drama of years ago, IAN Episode OF
the Crusaders" employed large cast,
of which many members were extras.
Most of these knew little or nothing
about the art of makeup, and as YER
onica was an expert in this line,
she had been engaged to do this work.
Veronica had had her chance as an
actress three seasons before, but stage
fright had made her muff her OPP
portunty. She had been unable to
secure part since. Although she
was heartbroken over her failure, she
"OulI nOI leave lHc luCulCLs WV
anything, everything, just to stay In
the world she loved, the world of
make-beieve.
At every performance Veronica
stood in the wings, watching her idol
play his part. She memorized every
line spoken by Mary Ellington, who
played the role opposite Aswell.
Veronica memorized the lines be-
cause her golden dreams included
glorious moments in which she was
playing Mary Elllngton's role, and
Aswell was holding her in his arms.
If the handsome star ever had seen
Veronica about the theater he gave
no sign of it. He had brushed her
with his sword as he passed her back
stage one night but he had not said
a word.
Mary Ellington was an excellent
actress, but she was victim OF
moods and whims. When an idea sud
denly occurred to her that she would
rather do something other than act
she would forget all about the play
In which she was appearing.
Veronica was just turning into the
alley which led to the stage door Of
the theater, when she heard a mans
voice say:
Come on, Mary. Your understudy
can play your part, and you can be
enjoying yourself on our party"
The actress hesitated only mo-
ment. Then she answered:
Lets go. don't feel like playing
tonight, anyway"
Veronica hardly could believe her
ears To think that an actress would
give up the opportunity to play op-
posite Robert Aswell, even for one
night, just TO go on party. Just
then an idea popped into Mary's head.
AS the idea took definite form,
Veronica murmured to herself: "Oh,
| couldn't" Then she said: II could.
and I'm going to.
Veronica hurried through her task
of making up the supers, and then
rushed into Miss Ellington's dressing
room locking the door behind her.
Mary Ellington was nearly half
inch taller than Veronica, but other.
wise they were built about the same.
Both Mary and Veronica had blue
eyes, dark hair and deep throaty
voices.
Veronica waited in the dressing
room until the call boy knocked at
the door, and announced that It was
time for her to go on Nervously, she
oDened the door. But her nervousness
was gone and she was determined rs
she walked to the wings, just In time
to hear her cue line.
Making her entrance, Veronica
spoke the lines she had heard Mary
Ellington speak six nights week for
six months. And nobody seemed to
realize that 1t wasn't Mary Ellington
who was speaking. That Is, nobody
realized It until the scene In which
Aswell took her into his arms and
said: 81 love you"
It wasn't stage fright that got
Veronica then, but she stammered as
she answered:
"And ! love you too"
AS she spoke the leading man drew
her closer to him. and whispered:
"Who are yOu?"
Veronica answered In whisper
during his next speech.
When Veronica spoke her next lines
Aswell whispered:
II don't know how you got out here,
but you're great"
Even the bored ushers, at the rear
Of the theater. commented on the ex.
cellent performance given by Miss
Ellington" that night. SO well had
Mary done her makeup job and so
beautifully did she play her part that
none of the other members Of the cast
suspected thai she was not Miss
Ellington until Aswell told them nj
the end Of the play.
Ver0nlca's first dream came true
when Aswcl augmented his announce.
ment ~ telling the other players:
"And I may MS well say now that
Miss Marvin Is going TO continue In
Miss l'lngtOn's role"
And act second dream came true
when he smiled down at her and said
softly:
"Im afraid you will have to take
suppci with me, Miss Marvin, so
can rehcnrsc you You mustn't STAN
mcr when you say And love you,
too"