Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-12-06

MAhIlN hAnN
vista of plants, flowers, sky and twin
king stars bathed in the mellow moon
light of summer night Enjoying the
soft, sweet air, Constance Miss Flea
nor Robson) is seen deep In troubled
thought, yet trying to forget all in the
anticipation of her lovers coming. The
picture was truly beautiful. A sweet
scene of love follows between Norbert
NIr Otis Skinner) and Constance. The
wealth of his love is most generously
returned, yet she fears for their fu-
ture, as she knows that the queen is in
love with this doer of brave deeds and
tireless servitor Of her majesty. The
youth and loneliness Of Constance's life
have been guarded and tenderly cared
for by her cousin, the queen.
1t is finally decided to ask as reward
for Norberts services the hand of Con-
stance. When he leaves her to seek
the queen, she breads ard hopes. She
is soon joined by the queen (Mrs. LIE
Moynel, who comes to tell her that she
is Ut last DelON th lOl hClsCiL oiOAC ohN
not as a queen. This old woman has
yearned for the true love Of man
such love as falls to other wonderland
in her wild, unbridled ecstasy to know
she has realized her dream she admits
that had the guard at her gates thrown
aside his badge Of office to clasp his
queen for the love Of the woman for
giveness would have been his She has
misconstrued Norbert's avowal into an
expression of love for herself and rush
es to Constance as the only one to
whom she can speak unguardedly.
1t is almost needless to say that in
this speech Mrs. lie Moyne reaches the
height Of dramatic power. The joyous
feelings aroused by love, closely fol
lowed by the fear of losing what she
has at last gained, the heart of the wo-
man, the dignity Of the queen, are
shown in such rapid sequence that the
opportunity for the actress is great,
and it is fully grasped by Mrs. LIE
Moyne.
Mrs. lie Moyne's clear. well modu-
lated voice, added to the all peryading
and refined dignity she lends her art,
must win admiration from the brains
and good taste Of the patrons Of the
drama.
When the queen later surprises the
lovers and through her eyes and ears
learns her own fatal mistake, the dig
nifty of the sovereign and the acute
suffering of the woman form piece
of wordless acting which is dramat-
ically intense. Her hysterical effort to
discredit her senses, the struggle be-
tween the queen and the woman and
the final victory of the latter are pitiful,
the more so as she once more openly
declares to him and before Constance
hers. This horrible avowal Is the
deathkneil of hope to the young people,
and Norbert and Constance are torn
with doubt and dread. At last be risks
all and manfully admits 1t Is Con-
stance he loves, while she Is nearly dis
tracted when she reflects what these
words may bring to him from the
wrath Of the insulted queen. She nerv-
ously tries to explain what is manifest
ly impossible of explanation, and with
a glance of suppressed rage the crush
ed woman almost staggers from their
presence. A few moments Of abandon
mept to grief and love for the lovers,
and they see the door open to admit
the guards who come for Norbert. AS
Constance faints In his arms the cur
tain falls.
The fine work Of the principals and
the touching finale caused many dem
onstrations Of pleasure, and the impress
sion was general that even In Brown
ing play success unqualified had been
scored by Mrs. lie Moyne. 4 literary
treat and something to digest served In
good taste cause those who partook,
like Oliver Twist, to cry for more"