The Evening critic., 1882-05-05
AMuSEM ENTS.
National Theatre.

There will bo n change of bill at tho National
Theatre this evening. Mr.: Hooy's last pro.
Of "a Child of the state." The plot OF the play
hinges on the arrest and conviction OF q
brother OF the priest for murder committed
by one known 10 the priest through the con-
fcssiona. The brother is condemned to death
and can be saved by the priest, who Is pledged
to silence by his vow to the church. 1t Is said
to be OF intense interest; repeated at the mat
inee and evening performance tomorrow.
The Story of g Her AtOnement.''
The following is the story of "Her Atone
ment," the new play which Will be brought out
at the National Theatre next Monday
Charles lie Ron a dashing Young fellow, has
Tilted the girl he was about TO marry, and her
brother, James Morton, calls on lie Roy to de-
mand satisfaction. His mother, Mrs. Morton,
also goes to sec the rouo, and she knowing her
sons hot temper, and fearing that he VIII
quarrel with Le Roy, begs him TO Join hor out
side, which he promises to do after an inter
view with lie Roy. In the course OF the con-
vcrsntion between the mon Morton threatens
TO kill the other man, and then goes OFF. In
his absence, Martha West, who has been be-
trayed by IL Roy two years previous, comes
10 beg OF him sustenance for their child, and Is
taunted and finally thrust from the house.
Later, Te Roy hcralng some commotion out
side, steps to the door, and is shot dead by some
unknown hand. Thus closes the first act with
a striking tableau.
prison, and an interview between her and Mrs.
Morton. Martha is released for lack Of evil
dencc to hold her. and young Morton, finding
that his mother suspects him of the murder,
enlists in the regiment which is about TO march
Immediately.
attempts suicide but Is prevented by u police
man, and Jcnes Norton leaves with the sol
diers, the act closing with an AFFECTING Inter
view between Mrs. Morton, her son and his
sweetheart.
Act third develops the fact that Martha West
went with the regiment as nurse, and had
cared for and watched over young Morton and
hundreds of other soldiers, becoming min
tstering angel TO many OF them. The French
valet of lie Roy, who has been arrested for the
murder and released, is now called to
identify the man who visited his master and
quarreied with him on the day of the murder,
and points out James Morton, who Is arrested
while with his fellow soldiers.
The fourth acth act opens upon the trial of
James Morton for the murder of Charles lie Roy,
and he is urged by his lawyer to plead self
defense, as that is the only method of escapes;
but the prisoner refuses to do this and thus
acknowledges his guilt. The trial proceeds.
Mrs. Morton Is called to the stand and gives
testimony which must almost certainly con-
vict her son. The summing up OF both sides
is made, the counsel for the prisoner begins to
plead self-defense, when James Morton rises In
the courtroom and denounces that plea, thus
cutting or all hopes of escape from conviction.
Seeing this, and % IN order to save Norton and m
murderess of lie Roy and falls fainting to the
floor.
The last act presents Martha West and her
child in prison, and gives a short scene OF
most terrible agony as her child is taken
away. Mrs. Norton begs Martha West to make
full confession and save her son, as the jury
do not believe her story and still think hin
guilty. She refuses because of love for hel
child, but is finally won over by promise o
Mrs. Norton to protect and take care of the
little girl. She enters the cell again, and
while there takes poison. Before she dies
however, she confesses that she shot Ls Roy
and tells the sad story of her life. Young
Morton is acquitted, and Martha Vests atone
ment is consummated.
The emotional scenes are depicted with in
tensity and the military features are very Of
fectiye.