Evening star., 1936-03-22
Me BOYS and
GIRLS PAGE
mo Better Hero + By w. Bcyoe Morgan
INSTALLMENT 7.


w WIEN Walt EnderS came out
NA| of his last class on Wednes-
wv day afternoon he turned
Immediately toward the
bulletin board in the front corridor of
Jackson High School. And then
little shiver ran up and down his
spine, for he could tell by the group
crowding around the bulletin board
that the cast of the Masquers' play was
posted there.
Yet he did not hurry along the
corridor. Instead, he walked slowly,
trying to calm himself. preparing in
stinctively to hide his feelings in case
the news on the bulletin board was
bad.
But it mustn't be bad!" he told
himself fercely. I've just got to
play that lead!"
The Jackson Masquers,- the high
school dramatic club. were about to
start rehearsals for their Spring play,
under the capable direction of Miss
Spotsfield. Tryouts had been held on
the preceding afternoon, and when
they were over Walt had gone home
with mixed feelings, hopeful yet ap-
prehensive. His mother had met him
at the door.
How did you do, Waltz" she de-
manded eagerly.
WALT hung his coat on the hall
w tree. "All right, I guess" he an
swered. He ran a hand through his
thick brown hair, and tried to grin
confidently at his mother.
do you think you'll be chosen to
play the male lead?" she demanded.
We'll. don't know" Walt tossed
his books on the table in the living
room and sank into the sofa. Dave
Hogarth is plenty good. And he's
taller than I am, and better looking.
He'd probably make better hero"
But can he act?" Mrs. Enders
spoke intensely, and every word
showed how she was counting on her
sons winning this coveted part.
That's the important thing. I don't
care how big or how handsome he
is if he hasn't any ability. And you
do have"
Walt grinned again. Maybe" he
replied. But you know. mother, the
mere fact that you and dad were both
swell amateur actors doesn't prove
that I'm any good"
1T does. tool" his mother cried.
I'm sure it does. You certainly have
inherited some of our ability"
well" said Walt, well wait and
see The results of the tryouts will
be posted tomorrow"
A ND now they were posted, and he
was going to know the best-or
reached the group in front Of the
bulletin board and elbowed his way
forward until he could read the list
posted there.
Two parallel columns of names met
hij eyes. On the left were typed the
characters in the old melodrama, "The
Trial of Trevor Grant" and opposite
each was the name Of the boy or girl
who was to take that part. Waits
eyes leaped at once to the top of the
bulletin. The male lead was listed
first, Trevor Grant. and the name
opposite was-David Hogarth!
Waits heart did a tailspin down
into his shoes. For a moment he was
unable to read anything else on the
list. Then he took a deep breath and
forced his eyes to follow the columns
downward.
On the second line was the name
of Annabelle Carstairs. the female
lead Walt saw that Audrey Bayliss
was to play that important part, and
he felt a little thrill of pleasure, in
spite of the sick DISAPPOINTMENT that
already filled him.
THEN he saw his own name. 1t
was not on the third line, where
the part of Benedict Grimm, the
heavy" or villain was listed, but on
the fourth. Walt was to play Jerry
Carstairs, weakling brother of the
heroine. The fact sank into his brain.
leaving him feeling a little numb.
Weakling brother, when he had hoped
to play the hero!
Congratulations, Walt" A CHEEKY
voice broke into his dark thoughts,
and hand gripped his shoulder. He
looked into the face of Bill Mason
just as Bill said: IT see you got one
of the fat parts. Good stuff"
Thanks, Bill" Walt glanced hastily
back at the cast of characters. and
saw that Bill was slated to play the