The San Francisco call., 1910-09-11

about two years ago. I am going to
play Shakespeare this season. The
productions may not be as elaborate as
1 might have planned, but they viii
be worthy. 1 shall be Juliet, and I
shall play Rosalind in AS You Like
It" Some day I shall play Lady Mac
beth"
1t viii be remembered that Miss IL
Nngton played in a Shakespearean pro-
duction with Madame Modjeska in New
York. 1t was the occasion of the bene-
fit which was rendered TO the great
Polish actress, and Modjeska appeared
in one scene with Miss Ellington. One
of the latter's most priced possessions
is a letter from the soft voiced Mod
jeska expressing high admiration for
her ability as a poetic actress and in
terpreter of the great bard's great
lines. Miss Ellington also has the
mantle which Modjeska wore in her
impersonation of the ambitious Lady
Macbeth and which Modjeska pre-
sented to Miss Ellington with the ex-
preston of the hope that some day
she should wear the cloak on her own
shapely shoulders in an impersonation
Of the role of Shakespeare's tragic
lady. That is an ambition to be real
lied some day by Margaret Ellington.
Tn connection with the sock darning''
declaration there was another story
which fourished without conirma-
tion> 1t was to the effect that Mar
garet Ellington returned to the stage
in order to assist financially her hus-
bands real estate operations in the
northwest the story being that he was
tied up" with property which he might
lose unless balances remaining unpaid
were taken quick care of.
Whatever credit there may be in a
wife's rushing to her husbands inan-
cial rescue is relinquished with en-
phasis by Miss Ellington. She told me
that the story was without founda-
tion in fact. Mr.. Bowes does not need
me to take care of him. He is taking
care of me. His wedding present to
me was a five story white marble
building in Tacoma, the revenues from
which would suffice to keep me for the
rest of my natural life if 1 only wanted
to be lazy and idle.
Il am acting because it seems to be
my normal self's best means of express
ing myself. 1t makes me happy; am
past the time when if ever there were
any for me, the glamour of the stage
is negative quality. 1t is work. but
fine work, and success in it is bought
at so great price that achievement
is made deiciously difficult. I feel that
shall achieve success; and you think
so too, don't you?"
Indeed 1 de-" said L
n ISS ELLINGTON is much concerned
MI about the fate of her new play in
-A'-A San Francisco. Said she: 4T feel
as though it were to be as final a
judgment as a New York verdict In
some respects I value it even higher
For New York's approval does not al
ways infer the country's good opinion.
San Francisco viii give me sane, yet
hope a friendly, verdict 1 am i'm
patient to know what it is to be.
Until Eternity has been successful
so far. They liked it in Tacoma, which
city saw it first, and they liked it along
the devious paths that we have Travelled
since the beginning of the tour. Salt
Lake has been doubly kind, and so 1
am hopeful
Certainly it is based on theme
that must stir the heart It's keynote
is mother love. That is it's theme, and
surely it is a grand thesis for a play
wright to build play on and an actress
who sympathizes and understands to
present to the world. love the theme;
it appeals with the strength of funda-
mental truth.
Can you hear me well?"
Just as though you were in the
room" said /.
There's reason for the musica,
quality of Miss IIlingtons voice, if there
is anything in heredity. Her mother
was LilliansNordica' first cousin, and
musical gifts are notably genealogical.
DO you want to talk to my hus-
band2" she asked.
rs he nearabouts?' 1 answered.
He always is she laughed, and so
we were introduced. and 1 heard him
say something about going to the cafe
and having something or other. the
nature Of which 1 did not catch; dis
tauce, however, prevented acceptance
of the hospitality, for the Riverside
hotel is far from San Francisco, as
many man who bet on Jefries knows.
A CHARACTERISTIC of Miss II
n lington's art that marked her
with great individuality was the
personal and individual manner in
which she became the person whose
career she enacted. Margaret Hing
tons tears were real. She threw her
self into the emotional scenes with the
reality of life. She did. in fact, live
the scene and her acting was removed
from real existence by only that slight
veil which curtains dreamIand From
fact land. She suffered as Marie voy-
sen, the thief. She nearly swooned in
the excess Of her plunge into the har-