The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-08
MISS ELLSLER'S NEW PLAY
FIRST PRESENTATION OF CLINTON
sTUART's "THE KEEPSAKE"
An Adaptation of Deslande's 1.-THE Keep
sake"-A Drama Of Absorbing Situa-
tions-wen Played by q Company OF
Good Actors.


tltlOn OIL DcStduuc hhNOhN''S ''S"NN'
made by Clinton Stuart and called The
Keepsake" was presented Monday even
ing at the Madison Square theater. Ellie
Ellsler, for whom the play was arranged,
appeared in il with an excellent support
ing company, and exhibited her powers in |
n higher plane OF acting than she has here
tofore had the opportunity OF doing. An
toinette Rigaud" was originally produced
at the "Francais," in 1856, and had a
moderate success there. Its material is
not SO novel as the method OF utilizing it,
and some OF the situations are absorbingy
interesting. In its American dress some
OF the original business is either altered
or eliminated, still the effectiveness OF the
principal scenes is not diminished. The
story in briei Is as follows: Christine Le-
roy, the sister OF young Capt DE Garlic
ment, is the wife OF a very matter OF TACT,
somewhat bourgeois manufactures, who
loves her in his clumsy, business.like way.
She is somewhat sentimental, and has been
In love with an artist, Robert Lambertin,
though she has always borne in mind her
,Snuty as a true wife. The first act opens at
the Chateau OF Gen. de Prefond, where
Christine has arrived for the birthday
fete Of her friend Marcelle, the generals
daughter. Alter hearing a confession
from her brother OF his love for Marcelle,
and after somewhat similar scene with
the young girl, Christine encounters Lam
bertin, her old time lover who still
causes her an emotional thrill whenever
they meet; and after the conventional
Theatre calculations, lowering OF the eyes,
etc, they pass on. Christine has asked
Lambertin for the return OF a packet OF
compromising letters which the artist has
of her. lie at first refuses, but on learn.
ing that Philippe de Carlemont who had
saved his life, is the brother OF Madame
LEROY. he promises to obey her request.
In the meantime, the general has refused
his consent 10 the marriage OF Philippe
and Marcelle, on the ground that he bad
promised the girls mother that Marcelle
should never wed soldier. Christine,
fearing the possible consequences OF being
n guest in the same house with Lambertin,
announces her intention OF leaving by the
early train next morning, pleading some
plausible excuse for her departure.
The second act occurs in the night o
the same day as the first. Christene Il
shown TO her apartment in the chateau b!
Philippe and Marcele. The young people
are told separately OF the generals re
fusal, and In q detected, unhappy stat
they separately withdraw, leaving Chris
tine TO retire. After they are gone sh,
moves about the room for moment, thel
goes to the window to admire the beauti
mi moonlt gardens. She is startled b.
the sight OF some figure moving anon
the trees, and after seeing II approach
about TO call for help, when Lamberti
enters through the window. lie has take
this supCrlatiyely idiOtic means OF return
l,hc letters. The brieiest conversatio
ensues between them, in which "a
strictest proprietyis observed, and Lambe
tin is about 10 go out 10y the way he eI
tered, when carriage drives up 10 Oh
house. All thought OF escape by the wiz
dow now has to be abandoned, and Z
Iambertin moves toward the door yoic'
aud footsteps are heard approachiu
through the hallway. Jules Leroy, IN h
bluff, hearty way, had planned pleasai
surprise for his wife by running down fro
Tonrs, where he had been on the jury,
be with her. lie Is outside the door vii
hi host, the general, knocking for ADM
tance, while his wife and Ianbertin a
within. mute and dumioundcd with fea
Christine II almost crazed with anxiet
hut finally disposcs Of the artist by Torch
him into her slecpingroom whit
h ON the right In another nome
she lets down her hair and disarrangcs b
toilet by way OF explanation for her feel
and rcasSnring requests 20 wait n nj
mcnt" when her husband was patient
waiting and knocking at the door. Ter
Is ioyial almost boisicrous in his 20
natured satisfaction nj being with his wi
lie makes himself nj home, orders n lit
lunch, though demonstrated with by Chr
tine for his freedom, and after some graz
iul Gallo badinage with the general, 81
his host TO the door and good night Is M
Leroy then empties his pockets, placi
his pistol on the table, and sits down vi
n GOOD appetite TO enjoy his "pctit soupc
with the inevitable bottle OF claret ID
ing this repast he describes 10 his wife
case which has been before the jury
which he was member. A man had XII
his wife because OF her iniidelity and
iury acquitted him OF the murder Chl
line listens 10 all this and argues with
husband about the verdict, knowing
the while that Iambertin, who she $
loves. Is concealed in the next room.
make her anguish still greater, Leroy,
the most natural way, says, with pistol
hand. were hc In the place Of the wronl
husband he would have killed both 10
and the wife. Christine several time.
on the verge Of bc,raying the secret
tunllN lnuNttt lfIuN w ~ W NlH i'gh'
smoke his cigar. lie returns abruptly
his travelling bag. when her startled IN
ncr almost shows him that something
wrong. Leroy IL content 20 believe
wife suffering from great nervousness,
% bids her good night and goes TO en-
bis smoke Iambcrtin has barely
time 10 be conducted by Christine 4
her room 10 the doorway OF the ball vi
leroy's door opens again, and Christ
with a shrek has Just slammed the d
after the departed lover. An oyerwrou
nervous condition continues 90 serve ~
excuse for the wiic's peculiar conduct.
crash Of broken glass II suddenly heard
the garden. Leroy bounds In the n
Cor his pistol, and has aimed Il at LAM
Tin, whom he has taken for retrea
burglar In the grounds, when his arr
caught by Christine, who laughs hysi'
ally that 'it might be some village Ro
who has been making love 10 his ~
heart" and begging her husband no
shoot The husband, disappointed at
lost opportunity Of winging thief, rui
out, banging the door after him, while 81
tine swoons and the second curtain I
ltln the beginning Of act third, vi
lakes place the following morning;
little Il made Of the breaking Of the 8
roof Of the conservatory until one OF
servants brings In a locket with the
trait OF Christine painted on H. This
been found on the Hower.bed just ben
Mademoiselle Marches window, m