The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

julia" and does it so expertly that, perhaps,
the discussion caused thereby more than
makes good the damage done. Anyway, the
English Jones is authoritative, and what
would be rejected from any American author
is accepted from him Julia has had an
escapade and for that reason finds herself
under social taboo when she returns to her
home village. The nature Of her offense is
not disclosed, further than a vague hint that
it may have been a morganatic marriage
with a continental duke. 1t may have
been a careless fault, fragrant sin, or
nothing at all blameworthy. Her neighbors
surmise the worst and her friends urge her
to clear herself, if she can, by a full ex-
PLANTATION Of the scandal. puff box is
mentioned frequently as the principal token
Of her culpability and 1t is said to have
been found under circumstances that COM
promised her, but the mystery is never ex-
planned. About every quarter hour during
the play Julia seems to be at the point Of
telling her story and the audience is as
eager as the mimic folk pretend to be to
hear it, but each time. after opening her
mouth to speak out, she decides to keep
num- At the very end, when fond aristo-
crat has induced her to become his bride
elect and she hands him an envelope con-
tanning the facts the curiosity which has
been aroused seems sure to be satisfied. But
fire. So Julia is whitewashed, not vindi-
Gated, and the audience disperses in ignor-
ance of what evil she has done. If any.
Fay Davis is featured by Charles
Frohman in this comedy, and 1 suppose he
means to make a star of her next She
now has the material with which to do far
better than she could in the preceding
Lady Roses Daughter" which failed and
was withdrawn quickly. Julia saves the
family of her love from the shame which
its two sons almost bring upon 1t. One
of them is priggish hypocrte. the other
Is mawkish sentimentalist and both
get into the tolls of the same Matchmaking
girl; but clever Julia exposes the siren
and defeats her sinister purpose, thus gain
ing the favor of those who have fouted
her. In that and other ways she endears
herself to the audience. and wins forgive
ness. partially at least, for keeping the
secret of her own interesting escapade
The man who f0ndly wields the whitewash
removing the smudge is an uncle of the
two indiscreet fellows-a Charles Surface
to an assorted pair of Josephs-and Guy
Standing limbers his usual stiffness delight
fully in the part. And John Drew's daugh-
ter Louise. who had given no more than
a graceful promise in the weak dramatiza-
ton OF Mrs. Humphry Wards strong
novel, comes out finely now as good
humored yet violent rebel against the
tyranny or social convention In a strait
laced community. Louise Drew has none
of the beauty of her cousin, Ethel Drew
Barrymore, but her personal charm of re-
finement is quite equal, and | think she
has much more of latent capabilty as a
Coincidence.
The scene that is particularly novel in
withdrawing Julia" is In the refresh
ment tent at a church charity fair. Crack
ers and lemonade, cake and tea are on
sale under the direction of titled matron
by some girls belonging to her social set.
But they withdraw, one after another,