Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-27

by Mr.. Mestayer, and he and Miss Hall
play the two parts Of the lover and his
sweetheart. In the first scene where
the boy and girl have their little love-
making Miss Hail was capricious,
whimsical and altogether winsome.
Mr.. Mestayer as the half bashful youth
about to leave his home for foreign
lands and trying to tell his love be-
fore he goes, was pleasant surprise
to those who have only seen him hith-
erto in the more sombre parts which
he SO often plays.
Age lily Portrayed
In the second scene, however, where
the passing Of thirty-two years has left
its mark of age on each, neither was
so satisfactory. Several details marred
the good effect which is to be expected
from these favorites. The makeup was
too old. What woman or man either
for that matter would admit that fifty
five or even sixty is old enough for cap
and tottering gait? Failing memory
and defective eyesight are we'll enough,
but what gentleman of England would
find IL possible to renew a love taffair
with an old time sweetheart, and never
once remove his hat when addressing
her nor his gloves when touching her
hand.
The piece has many clever lines and
the situations are good throughout.
David Edwin presented his mono
logne, "Her Husbands Friend" to very
excellent effect. 1t is bright and cpl
grammatical and If some of the bright
ness and epigrams are borrowed at
least one must say he has used them
we'll. Mr.. Edwin showed himself able
to depict sentiment, gayety, in fact all
the emotions, and his scene over the
dinner table when learning of the
tragic finale to his love affair was. most
effective, but he really cannot tie a
dress tie without a mirror and make a
success of It.
William Desmond and H. S. Duffield
each made two appearances. In the
dress suits OF "The Littlest Girl" a
dramatization of Richard Harding Da-
Wis story. Tier First Appearance,
neither was at his best. Mr.. Desmond
does not realize the part of Van Bibber
nor was Mr.. Duffield successful in his
characterization Of Mr.. Carruthers
the father of THE Littlest Girl" which
part was played by little Miss Ollie
Walters.
"The Great interrogation"
Later in the program, however, both
Mr.. Desmond and Mr.. Duffielde retrieved
themselves III 4'rln6 GreHI lHI5TfoBd-
tion" In this Alaskan drama by Jack
London and Lee Bascomb the Burbank
leading man looks most romantic In
flannels and kerchief about his throat
The part of David Payne, mining pros
pector, living In his obscure log cabin,
is simple enough until the disturbing
element Is introduced. Two women
one an Indian girl, played by Miss Hail.
and the other a young widow from the
States, depicted by Miss Lillian Lam
son, both claim his love, the Indian
girl silently and tby entreating glances
mostly, the white woman with many
words, promises. temptations, offers OF
all that the free happy life in the
United States seems to promise to one
shut in that far country.
The actor seemed to be really fight
ing out the battle. The choice was
hard to make. On the one hand were
his own people. people whose habits
| were his habits, who spoke the same
language with him. On the other was
| the faithful little Indian girl. She
| had saved his life by marvellous hero
ism. and now lived his adoring and
| most devoted attendant to whom he
| had promised half laughingly the
| bondage of a wedding ring.
Should he crafty his longings ant
go back to his own folk or should hi
stay there in the wilderness and keel
| faith with the loyal 'Wnapie," whos'