The Washington herald., 1907-09-15

blame on himselfP Why did he confess
a crime he did not commit? Why did he
shield her? How did the $50 francs come
into his possession? She tries TO explain
in feyerish anxiety TO calm his suspi-
cions. Il was from mad impulse OF
love FOR her.
In the short interval of the first sct.
when Fernand. waiting for her in the
garden, had been summoned by his father
TO refute the accusation Of the detective.
she had volunteered 10 fetch him, but
had returned with the announcement that
Fernand could not be found She had
lied. She had seen him, confessed. and
appealed to his chivalry 70 protect her
He had taken the $50 francs TO complete
his sacrifice. She had never encouraged
his infatuat.on for her. she VOWS. That
very night she had rebuked him for his
folly. It had no significance for her. for
she had told him that she loved only her
husband, &c.
The explanation does not satisfy Rich
ard. On top Of the proof of her dishOn-
esty and admitted baseness comes this
new evidence Of her iHddelity, and he be-
/ lieves the worst He casts her from him
and Tushes TO the door 20 hold a reckon
] ing with the youth whom he believes
guilty OF his dishonor. At that juncture
/ the distracted woman rushes 10 the win
| dow overlooking the rocks on the sea
shore.
If you leave this room, she cries, u
will throw myself upon the rocks."
/ Her manner is convincing He cannot
doubt her determination. and closes the
door 10 pass the night there face to face"
/ till morning.
/ And the curtain falls upon one Of the
/ most powerful acts ever written
It is the morning after. No one in the
/ house has slept Lagardes is crushed by
the confession OF his son. the boy whom
| he loves beyond all else in the world
/ He has determined on a plan Of action
/ Fernand Is to be sent 20 Brazil 20 work
on the coffee plantations. as Lagardes
/ and Eoysin worked in their youth. before
! they rose 10 positions Of independence
/ Richard and Marie Louise are present
I when this plan is announced. both silent
! and expectant after their eventful night.
/ Fernand is summoned. When he hears
/ his fate he falls at his fathers feet and
/ begs for mercy. But he stands bravely
/ by his confession, even when Lagardes.
/ though lie idolizes his son, remains IN
/ moved by his entreaties Crushed in
mind and spirit, he SAYS farewell, 70
/ enter The carriage waiting at the door
70 drive him TO the station. The scene
is pathetic amid the silence Of those
/ Who witness it. But no sooner has the
! door closed on him than Marie Louise
| breaks this silence by a passionate ap-
/ peal 10 the heart-broken father.
| Call FeTnand back before II Is too
late. He is innocent ! am the guilty
/ one! I stole the money!
| The terrible strain Of the suspense IS
/ relaxed The solution IS ut hand Re
morse has spoken, and light has broken
through the clouds.
Mr.. Bernstein is too clever q playwright
| 20 cut his thread abruptly here He
! gives nc another splendid scene. splendid
/ ly played by Mr. Be.lcw. In which NE
| pathetically appeals to Lagardes 10 for
give the poor woman, as he has forgiven
her. She did It for me-" he says.
Poor little Marie Louise" says La
/ gardes, I do forgive her"
Richard proposes 10 go to Brazil In
Fernand's place with his wife at his
side. far away from the scene OF her
! disgrace. as she herself suggested. where
+, they can live and forget He insists, and
Lagardes at last consents As a fitting
| tlnal touch 10 the clever woOf Of this
piece of dramatic tapestry, the author
takes Richard off the scene. as FernanS
enters 70 learn from Marie Louise's own
lips the plan Of her atonement and the
I confirmation OF her love for her nus
band. FRED. r SCHRADER.