The Topeka state journal., 1903-01-31

COMES the mission OF the hero Of the
book, Marc E'rOment, a brother secular
schoOlmaster Though a Gentne) to
Vindicate the innocence of the Jew and
lay the crime at the door of the real
culprit Thus the experiences of the
hero are to a considerable extent the
reflection of Zolas own part in the
Dreyfus drama.
Rudyard Kipling is shortly to have
his first novel staged in England. If
it is a success there, we may hope %
see the play in this country early next
season.
"The Light That Failed" has had
curious history. AS it was first con
eeived by the author. the story closed
with the hero stricken blind, hopelessly
making his way across the Egyptian
desert. Maisie, the heroine has been
lost to the reader sometime before the
final tragedy. 1t must have taken
great lot of persuasion to induce Kip
ling to change the story. but, at any
rate. change it he did. so that in its
recasted form, there is a happy ending.
AS one critic has said, tale with two
tails is a strange thing but a play
with two last acts would be much more
freakish.
without doubt, Kipling's consent to
the drama tization of the story was Sc
cured with more difficulty than was his
ald In changing the plot. As novel,
the story was changed first to make
happy ending. and then back to make
a happy authOr-fOr kipling was never
satisfied with the story except as he
first wrote it. Now, to make play,
the plot must be changed agafn-the
tragic ending of the book. The blind
hero must regain his sight and fnd the
heroine We cannot imagine an audi
ence satisfied to see the curtain drop on
a blind man riding off the stage on
camel
The stage requirements, that play
have a happy ending, have spoiled
many a good story when they have
Monsieur Beaucaire" is a case in point.
As a story, this little gem of Booth
Iarkington's is great As a play it is
almost commonplace. The dramatist felt
the necessity of making a happy end
ing.
To get back to Mr. Kipling and THE
Light That Failed" it does not follow
that this play viii be an ordinary one.
As a story with a happy ending. it is
not ordinary. There are many who like
1t better that way. Perhaps the play
viii be as successful a s was the book.
Mr. klpling is making his usual mid
( winter absence from England. The place
that claims him is a home in South
Africa which Cecil Rhodes gave him.
+ Ihe great empire builder and the
/ author were most intimate friends. and
each admired the other tremendously
kipling used to love to play tricks on
! Rhodes One night they had to make a
4 trip together and Kipling volunteered
/ 70 get the sleeping car tickets. When
/ they got on the train. Rhodes found
/ that his ticket called for an upper berth
/ While ktphng was preparing to occupy
! Jne lower just beneath. The heavy
I Colossus demonstrated. but Kipling rec
fused to give up his lower berth. The
f men went to bed and about midnight
/ Rhodes was awakened by a loud voice
+ of huge Boer who had just boarded
the train and wanted a place to sleep.
/ With chuckle Rhodes discovered that
/ the noise had not disturbed Kipling,
and then, putting his head out. he said
/ softly.
That's all right. Ny little boy IS
sleeping in the lower berth here and
I YOU can just push him over and get in
! there"
In about a minute Kipling had
f aroused the whole car full OF people by
his shouts and kicks at the man who
had tried TO push him over
Sir Gilbert Parker has had TO post
pone the dramatization Of The Risht
OF Way" on account Of parliament
meetings. but he expects to have the