The Washington times., 1905-10-24

called 1.-The Labyrinth" is by W. l.
Courtney. former professor of modern
literature at Oxford and now editor
Of the London Fortnightiy Review.
The adaptation takes some liberties
with the original in both the time and
action, but the strength OF the French
production has not suffered and the ex-
cellent translation has preserved the
beauty of the original lines. The new
play condensed into four acts Is a power
full argument against divorce when there
are children Of the marriage.
Religion and State.
The first act is unusually quiet for a
Nethersole play, and the actress de-
livers her lines with a suppressed emo
tion that is in marked contrast to her
former appearances in this country.
AS Marianne. the divorced wife of
Max de Pogis. she finds scandal
coupling her name with George LIE
Breuil, "a somewhat uncouth traveller"
who has requested her hand in mar
riage. Such an alliance is utterly i'm
possible IN the eyes OF her mother, who
is devoted Roman Catholic. Forced
to choose between a final parting with
lie Breuil. her dear. dear friend" or
second marriage, which has her nom
Catholic fathers approval, Marianne
sends for her lover, and, receiving his
passionate assurance that he will be a
father to her little son. agrees to be-
come his wife.
The second act shows Marianne and
lie Breuil married and peacefully happy.
Then Max de Pogis. the first husband,
reappears. The woman for whom he
deserted his wife is dead. He comes
forward to demand custody OF the child.
He has listened to the youngsters S
prattlings. which are strongly tinged
with the second husbands tales OF
travel, and il goads him to desperd-
ton TO observe the influence on his sons
mind OF the man who has supplanted
him in the heart OF his wife-the boys
mother. Marianne is persuaded 10 meet
de Pogis. and after q powerful scene,
agrees 20 permit the boy accompany his
father TO the country
Awakens First Love.
Act third shows de Pogis country
home The little boy has contracted
diphtheria and growing rapidly worse.
Marianne IS summoned by telegraph.
She and de Pogis fight the approach OF
death through long nights OF anguish
and during their silent vigils by the sick
bed Of their son something of the old at
titude is unconsciously restored. De
Pogis' love for his wife is rekindled into
q fierce fame. The room Marianne oc-
cupIes is the room she came 10 as Il
bride II recalls the past with all its
joys ana hopes DE POglS enters II oil
the night before she is to leave, declares
his love and vehemently swears he cam
not give her up. She resists-fghts vain
ly against the love he has awakened
and tOtters into his arms
In the last act Marianne has return
ed 10 her parents The awakening from
her heeting madness in the home of
&c Pogis leaves her q victim OF remorse
and shame. She rebuffs lie Breuil and,
in a very strong scene. confesses that
she has yielded TO the love of her first
husband-that the love between father
and mother has proved stronger than
that between husband and wIIe. lie
Breuil In spite OF his jealous anger.
offers to take her away far from
temptation, but she declares that she
belongs to de Pogts; she has surren-
dered herself to him. The latter fol-
lows Marianne and sends her a note,
demanding "A meeting. lie Breuil inter
cepts the note, waits for his rival, and
threatens him with death as the price
Of his further interference. De Pogis
insolent reply goads him to madness.
He grapples with his enemy; they
struggle on the edge of the gorge, and
the two men plunge to their death on
the rocks below. a moment or two
pass. then Marianne and her son ad-
vance across the terrace TO pick d
flower from the bank. After short
conversation they cross the terrace
that conceals the double tragedy and
pass on into the woods beyond. Cur