Evening star., 1936-03-29

to it, Walt"
Walt was grateful for those words,
and he saw that his mother had re-
covered her composure and was trying
hard to hide her disappointment. So
when the evening meal was finished
he retired to his room, hurriedly did
his necessary homework, and then
began at once to study his part in the
play.
But the more he studied it, the less
he liked it. Jerry Carstairs was a
thoroughly weak character, and Walt
found it hard to get into sympathy
with the role.
But when Miss SpotSfield held the
first rehearsal after classes on the
following afternoon, his evening S
study was rewarded. The members
of the cast merely read their lines from
the script, but it was apparent that
Walt had made more progress toward
mastering his part than any of the
others, and the coach complimented
him on his industry.
However, that was practically the
only satisfaction he got out of the
role. AS rehearsals continued over
the next few weeks, he threw himself
so thoroughly into the role of Jerry
Carstairs that he almost lived the
part, unpleasant as it was.
ONE day, just after he and Audrey
BaylisS had completed a scene in
which his lack Of character was pain
fully portrayed Audrey looked at him
tntently, and made wry face.
Il don't know what ever possessed
me to have such brother" she said.
She was half laughing, but Walt
thought that he detected a serious
note underneath.
Il don't like him any better than
you do" he retorted. But I have to
play him that way"
Dave Hogarth, who was standing
nearby, grinned provokingly. And
you're doing a swell job, Walt" he
commented. so good that sometimes
think you're just acting natural"
Walt flushed. And I suppose you
think you're merely being yourself,
playing Trevor Grant, the brave and
noble hero" he snapped
Dave raised his eyebrows in mock
amazement. did any one ever doubt
it?" he inquired, while Audrey laughed
in delight.
Walt turned away furious. Then
he began to do some thinking. He
knew how audiences often judged stage
and screen players by the parts they
took. 1t was natural to believe that
some one resembled, in real life, the
roles that he played before the camera
or behind the footlights.
Il suppose from now on III be tick
eted as Jerry Carstairs," he told him
self. That's my reward for trying to
bring the part to life and make it
real"
And the fact that Audrey would get
that impression of him more strongly
than any one else was the worst of it.
WHEN Walt reached home after
w rehearsal that afternoon, he
found his mother in a state of high
excitement.
"Walt!" she exclaimed Guess
who's coming home with Dad for din
ner tonight. John Packard Stone!"
Waits eyebrows jumped. Honest
ly?" he demanded. The name of John
Packard Stone was familiar to every
one who knew anything about the
stage. A fine character actor. he had
recently gone to Hollywood and ap-
peared in several motion pictures.
Playing small roles, he had almost
stolen the show" in every one of his
fine performances.
"Yes!" Mrs. Enders replied You
know, he was member of our little
dramatic group years ago-the one
member who went on and became a
professional success. He's on his way
to New York to start personal ap-
pearance tour, and he stopped in Dads
Office this afternoon to see him. And
Dad is bringing him out to dinner!"
Great" cried Walt.
Walt was at the door an hour later
when Mr. Enders arrived, with John
Packard Stone at his side, and he felt
a thrill of pleasure as the actor shook
hands with him. Mr.. Stone looked
much as he did on the screen-the
same scanned, homely face with a
strong jaw and intelligent eyes, and
the same crisp, compelling voice.
MALT sat entranced during dinner,
t'' while his mother and father
talked with the actor of their old days.
Then Mr.. Stone began to tell them of
life in the studios. and the hours few
by. But finally Mrs. EnderS took ad-
vantage of a lull in the conversation
to say, walt is an actor, too. John.
He has part in his high school play"
Walt tried frantically to stop her,
but in moment his mother was pour
ing out the whole story of his tryout
for the leading part in the play, and
his failure to get it. Walt was en-
barrassed, but Mr.. Stone listened at
tentively and finally looked thought
fully at Walt
"See here, Walt he said after a
moment, Il plan to be in town all day
tomorrow. Why don't you take me to
your rehearsal? might be able to
give you some pointers that would be
helpful"
Would you?" cried Walt. Say,
that would be great"
And so. on the following afternoon,
Walt met John Packard Stone at the
entrance to the high school and took
him to the auditorium stage, where he
introduced him to Miss Spots1eld and
the awed members of the cast. But
Mr.. Stone refused to be lionized. He
retired Immediately to a rear seat
and watched them run through the
full rehearsal. Before long the play
ers forgot his presence, and ceased to
be self-conscious.
Two hours later Walt, weary from
the long session, met the actor at
the door and walked out of the high