The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-21

dooras the body of the King IL b.
highted until his soul Is purified. Tho
monarch arises, but his body has been
changed to the deforned shape OF Dioge-
res. His attendants come from the
church and ridicule him. He vaInly en-.
deavors to assert himself. but he is
laughed to seorn and left alone In his
misery. In the anguish OF his soul Per-
petua comes to comfort him. thinking he
Is the Jester she has befrlended. Then
come tina messengers of the King and
srize upon her anet drag her away. while
the now desplsed monarch. upon his very
knees. declares himself and seeks to undo
and Is left. lying pror., on the ground.
wallowing In the dust as Perpetua IL
borne away. The curtain descAnds on
this scene.
The second act Is voluptuous in the
very setting OF Its scere. rhe King
cornes. In his poor crippled form. and Is
ridiculed by the women. who before had
been HIS crinsing and flattering attend
ants. AS a Jest. Perrctua. who s being
held to await the Kings pleasure. Is
given into his clutches. TO DO with her
o. =. -.,I, Two evn -,,Sd OF 40 k,rr.
Sill lives IN his r1isshapen body. and
hc eloats over his victim. Perpetua.
rather than be dishonored, welcomes
death, and is about to plunge q
Dagger IN her heart, "nen the steel Is
wrested from tcr BY her tormentor
whose spirit suddenly becomes humbled.
He kncels at her feet and declares
himself her slave. HiIdebrand Is about
to chain the victim. when by clever
strategy the still unreoognfzed King
secures her escape by throwing over her
mnnt,.. which he hideously asserts
he plucked from the body OF Victim
of the plague.
- ..5 e.. SSsts L t. IT,
OF church. and the King Ia seen re-
nentant. His proud spirit is broken.
Tho orr, passion that now sways his
soul Is his love for Perpetua. 1t is In the
telling OF this that one OF tho strongest
scenes In the plav occurs. Miss Cecilia
LOTUS. as Perpetua. ee,ms to live and
breathe in the spirit OF the lines she
speaks. and most rare occurrence on tn,
stage. tears glist,ned In her eyes as she
read the passages In this scene. It's
effect upon the audience was most Inn
pressive. Perpetu,. who has h.tn IN
hiding. Is dragged away from the sane
tity OF the church, upon the charge that
che is witch. and Hildcbrand. with
fiend'sh delight tells her poor. weak
hodt'd lover that he may save her from
the flames by appearing rs her champion
and defeating in mortal combat the
Kings challenger. The King prays that
his strength be restored. that he may
save IT,, woman he loves. even though
he be consigned to everlasting torment
thereafter. And. Behold. his prayer is
answered. his body thrills with new
born strength. and. rising to his feet he
reizes tire huge iron cross. and ENGAGES
in conflict with F7iidehrand. who Yields;
a mighty sword. The King Stays his adj
versary. and the act ends.
. In the last act. with grim realism.
Perr,>tl,a is led forth to be consume ed
by the flames. The King. still unrecng-,
,nized. becomes the challenger and allows
himself; to be defeated by Perp,tua's
father. who fights to free his daughter.
The defeated King IL then according to
the law led to IT,, stake to be consumed
and. p O. Atua Is, declared free. She pleads
for the life. OF her delIverer, and de-
clar,s her love for him. hut to. no avail.
His body ia anveloped ~ smoke. But.
10. again the arehangel appears; the
soul OF the King has been purified, and
the sentence has been fulfilled.