The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-13

Theatergocrs who were fortunate
enough to see Charles Klein's great
drama "rhe Lion and the Mouse"
will be overly anxious to witness his
latest success, THE Third Degree,
which comes to the Harnois Friday.
The story. of "The Third Degree" is
interesting 1t will be printed in four
installments.
The first act takes place in Robert
Underwood's art studio in Fifth avenue
i'm New York city. 1t Is evening, and
Underwood. pale. nervous man of
about IS. Is alone when Mr.. Ben
nington is announced over the tele-
phone. send him un." Underwood
calls. and hanging up The receiver. he
throws away his cigarette and picks
up n newspaper. which he carelessly
scans. awaiting Renniagton's arrical.
This is a surprise" Underwood de
clares when his guest enters. but the
latter. waving formalities. says his
time Is short and his mission Il, dell
cate one. He has come To warn Tn
aerwood that the firm employing him
has learned he has sold many of
their valuable objects, for which they
have received nothing. and are now
about Ia ask a return of their prop
erts.
At first Underwood tries tn deny.
but seeing he is trapped hcgs for
time. They're coming tomorrow
promised to let YOU know, and | can
do no more" Bennington answers,
In moment the tclephon" rings and
Underwood goes 10 the receiver. Il
can't see htm-tell him im"-but he
leaves the sentence unfinished Ia de-
tain Bennington, vino is about To
leave. ITS onl:' that Internal nui-
sanee, Howard Jcffries." Underwood
announces. and i'm another moment the
nuisance. ,'oung fellow nf about -,
evidently slightly under the influence.
makes his appearance and Bcnning
ton soon takes his leave.
Young Jeffries is eprofusc with
apologies for huttin" in" and wants
IL know of Underwood why he is
downeast. Wait tin sat- hear my
hard-luck story; that.ll cheer you ur."
he says. 1t quickly develops that the
boy Is out of money and has come to-
borrow. and reminds Underwood nf the
30 bucks he loaned him. When my
family kicked mo out for marrying
the finest Girl that eyer wed. my
father cut me off with pikiIg allow
ance which | told him II nut IL: tine
church plate" Howard ramblpS On, as
he helps himself to the decanter. He
admits that H. has the Independence
he sought, but i broke and wHntf 10
borrow couple of thousand. Under
wnod advises his friend Ia gn home
and sec his father
Howard-Aftcr being turned uur
like Il dog. with ynunc Wifi. "n NY
hands-nut much-Ive injured their
pride. You know. father married a
second tim"-load"d me down w,t" Il
young stepmother. AM r,lI"wcd
suit
Inderw"nd-Yes / know
I'll nNard-She's all right but she's
sn cnnfoundedly-ynu know her" Say.
didn't you and Sh"-wasn't thor .sa,n.
sort of an engagement once" Seems
Underwood doesn't care t. talk
about the matter and asks Howard II
he cannot postpone his Visit. but rHr
boy simply takes another .lrinti All
continues talking. lie declares tla has.
married the finest little woman i'm the
world: she is "A little crude but the
only thing hc objects Ia il she insists
on going back 10 work. and he won't
allow that. He. by the Way. has at
tempted several things himself un-
successfully.
Underwood tries IL tell Howard re
is broke. and again advises him t. g
to his father. who will relent. Jeffries.
ST.. has too much brains and tup little
heart. his sun thinks. far auv chance
Hf Teft.ntInE. Nv ttf4l hnw obstinate
that maa is he draws dr,Nsilv. ass
he throws un" foot over the arm of
the couch on which he Is sitting.
Gee. but I've made Il mess 81 things.
haven't - he muses.
Enderw"od-Y"u've made. al mess IF
YOUR life. but you've had snuIr meas
ura at happincS>-at least y"u mar
rsed the woman y"u love. The wo-
man | wanted is married tn ~or',con,,
olss-~damn him.