Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-04

kyrIe Bellew scored another character
istic success last evening at the New Ma
tional Theater in Alfred Sutro's THE
Builder of Bridges At the end of the
third act, in response to persistent APP
plause. he acknowledged the ovation in a
single sentence. Not even then did he
lay aside his conception of the character
of the builder of bridges. In fact. his
thinning of the engineer is SO convincing,
finesse of artistry with any of Mr.. Bel
LEWIS former creations. Though there
may be differences of opinion as to the
intrinsic merit and construction of the
play itself. there can scarcely be any
question as to the work of Mr.. Bellew
and the more than usually capable cast
Gladys Hanson. as Dorothy Faringay.
gave convincing characterization of an
trionic ability OF high degree. Indeed.
she wins sympathy where but little is de-
served. Eugene O'Brien. as the brother,
Arnold Faf1ngay. had part not dis
similar to the one he played in 1.-The
Thief and handled 1t with consummate
skill. while Ernest Stallard, as Peter Hol-
| land, the friend of the builder of bridges;
Mrs Thomas Whiffen, as Mrs. Debney.
ard De Witt c. Jennings. Sir Henry
! kilick. supplied the comedy with de-
lightful interpretations of lines that fairly
scintillate in quickness of epigrammatic
thrust and parry. Frank Conner, Jane
factory in their respective roles of Walter
Gresham. Miss Closson and Minnie.
Edward Thursfield. the builder OF
bridges. has just returned to England
In 1.-The desert constructing bridge for
his chief. Sir Henry killick. Having
passed most of his life as an engineer
In the wilds of the Soudan, Egypt and
ieajolery of Dorothy Faringay. who enters
into his life at a winter resort in Swift
zerland. where he has gone for rest. Dor
othy has come for the express purpose of
making the engineer fall in love with
her.
Arnold, her brother. has embezzled
1a.UD from Sir Henry killick. by whom
he is employed as a clerk. to cover his
speculations in a bucket-shop He had
concealed the defalcation so far, charging
the amount to the expense account of the
builder Of bridges in the field. But Thurs
fields return and inevitable examination
of the account of course. mean an ex-
pose and prison. His sisters love for
T him has been the one big passion OF her
life. SO Arnold confesses to her. Blinded
10y all else but her brothers impending
fate. the sister, Dorothy, seeks to save
him at any cost
Walter Gresham. a steady. hard-work-
ing Englishman to whom she has en-
gagged herself because of his persistency
and long-standing friendship, is told
half of the secret and asked to turn
over f3.oOO without question. This he
refuses to do. explaining that such a sum
is the only nestegg they have for their
future home. In her despair Dorothy de-
cides to seek Thursfield at the Swiss win
ter resort. to plead with him. even to
win his love, IL possible. and persuade
him to pass the false entry in his &C
count, thus. of course. making him
party to the theft. She succeeds In con-
quering the heart of the engineer and
promises to marry him. She returns to
I.ondon-engaged to two men.
At this point the action OF the play
+. begins. 1t concludes. by the way, in two
days. Arnold. his conscience begin
ming to awake. confesses to his i'm
mediate superior. Peter Holland. who
informs Thursfield of the theft.
The builder ,,s OF bridges pays m,.. the
because of his love for the sister, with
the sole stipulation that she shall never
know either the defalcation or his act Of
generosity. Though she has found that
throwing him over and keeping her word
TO Gresham-not until her brother is safe.
however. She justices her imagined
'heroics'' with the thought that many
done by people with the best of inten-
tons. With characteristic selfshness.
she also argues. Gresham shall repay
the money to Thursfield through her.
When Gresham, still in ignorance Of
Thursields existence. refuses. Dorothy.
In her feebleness OF conscience. imagines
she has put him to the supremest test
Of his love for her and he has failed
Therefore. she cries self-righteously. he is
unworthy. and the engagement is off.
This leaves her free to marry Thurs
field. She intends. however. to first con-
TESS everything to him, relying on HE
love and his nobility of character to for
give her. Gresham. however. returns
AMI the two men meet. The denouement
follows. Thursfield scorns her and shows
her herself as she really is. Gresham de-
parts, rejoicing at his lucky escape In
the end. in a scene that convinces one
against ones will. Dorothy proves her
genuine love for tine builder of bridges
and leaves for Rhodesia with him the