The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-03-01
1914 ~ PLAY HOUSES

I Celia Faraday Is the eldest OF four
daughters. two of her sisters having
married, and the youngest having be-
come engaged Celia. therefore, has
worn green stockings twice and likely
Ia third time. The tact that she
does nor attract suitors II "A source OF
annoyance to her father and excites a
somewhat contemptuous and superior
attitude from her sisters.
Everybody treats Celia as being
"hopelessly on the shelf" and, finally,
that young woman. who acknowledges
To - summers. resents this treatment
and determines To do something 10
change her familys attitude. She
goes To Southampton for weeks visit
and upon her return calmly announces
her engagement To Col. John Smith.
whom she says she met In Southamp-
ton and who had sailed the very morn
ing of the day Of her return home,
for service In South Africa. The news
has the desired effect upon the family
and friends. and Celia's position at
once becomes quite different.
Romantic Sister Chyllis, filled with
her own love AFFAIR. insists that Celia
write a letter 10 her colonel so that
he will receive IL on his arrival I'm
South Africa and Celia although al
her wits end To get out OF II writes
ridiculous letter in which she calls
her supposed fiance "Wabbles." When
Phyllis back Is turned Celia hides the
letter under some books on the table
but the butler coming I'm for the mail,
Phyllis searches diligently for the let.
ter, finds IL and II is mailed. AS
events develop later. the letter actual,
ly reaches a Colonel John Smith and
upon this fact the second and third
acts or the comedy are hinged.
Aunt Ida Faraday from "Chicawgo,
visiting her English relatives, IL
Celia's confidante, and after some
wheedling on Celia's part Aunt Ida il
induced 10 enter into the plot. Celia
enjoys the dignity OF her position af
the iancee OF u distinguished South
African soldier for eight months and
manages to pay back In full to hei
family, the manner In which she had
previously been treated because OF
her apparent hopeless "oldmaidism.
Finally Celia and auntie decide L
kill of the brave colonel and the
scene In which the family read the
death notice in The Times and ther
endeavor to break the news" to Cells
is one Of the funniest the con
temporary stage offers. II was a per
feet scream and the audience roareC
itself into near-hysterics.
! Just as Celia has succeeded in con
vincing her family that. while heart
broken with grief over her hance's
| death, she has determined to bear vi
braveiy and VIII go on with her ftft
as usual, she receives visit from G
Col. Vavasour, who says he has beer
sent 10 her with last message from
his dear friend, Col. Smith. who also
consigned to his care some persona
mementoes To be given to her.
Another scene which for pure fur
and good comedy would be hard tC
excel occurs when Aunt Ida is intro
duced TO Vavasour. She has violent
Mysteries TO the intense amazemen
OF the family who cannot understand
what has happened to her as she haC
been perfectly we'll few moments
before vavasour. who in reality II
Smith, but having fallen heir to al
estate, has been compelled to assume
the family name Vavasour, which goe,
with 1t, quickly sees the situation II
which Celia has placed herself. ant
proceeds to carry out his part OF thu
deception. or course. in the end thu
whole AFFAIR. at least between Cells
and the colonel. Is Strengthened on
and one is left to suppose that Cells
will not have to wear another pair o
green stockings"