The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-06-16

way Frances Ward names her
faults in "The Spendthrift." and no one
could put them In better words. The
play is the current offering at the Utah
theatcr, with Miss Florence Stone in the
part Of Mrs. Ward and Brandon lyman
In the role Of the overindusent husband,
who wastes fifteen OF the best years Of
his life trying to satisfy all OF hfs wife's
selfish whirns. IT was strongly produced
has some almost melodranatic climaxes
and should prove popular attraction.
Richard Ward, at 80. finds himself so
deeply in debt through his wifc's extrav-
agances that there is no way out but
the bankruptcy court. TIe finds that his
dreams are shattered: instead OF home
he has mansion; instead of a wife and
family he has a vain woman, who braz-
enly declares that "a womaus sphere
consists Of more than just raising chill
dren."
He urges her 70 start over with him,
tries to explain what fatal mistakes they
have made. But she, thinking only OF
herself refuses to leave her wealthy
friends and luxurious surroundings, She
goes secretly to Suffern Thorne. a mil
lionaire friend with a decidedly unsavory
reputation. and borrows the money her
husband needs to pay his obligations.
She tells her husband that she borrowed
1t from a wealthy aunt. The aunt de-
niles and the husband finds his wife in
a falsehood.
The third act is intensely dramatic.
Mrs. Ward is in her bed asleep when the
curtain rises. Her husband comes in,
His look frightens her. She thinks he
has learned where she goth the money:
A slip of the tongue and he does know.
He compels her to call the millionaire to
her room in the night. He denies that
he eNacted any payment for the loan, but
makes some cuttings remarks that al
most influence Ward to kill him, But
he fires the shot into the floor
Suddenly her awful experience teaches
Frances Ward the folly Of her ways. She
disappears, believing that after the Thorne
Incident, her husband can never love her
again. She becomes tutor for two small
children. She learns to love them-they
bring forth the instincts OF the mother.
Her character is completely transformed.
Her husband finds her, through his best
friend, ba chelor lawyer, and they decide
to start over again.
To show the other side OF the moral
Mrs Ward has a sister She marries q
man making only 800 month and goes
10 live with him in a western mining
camp. She, too, had been extravagant,
but saw the result of 1t early enough In
life to reform before she ruined herself
and her husband.
The part Of Mrs. Ward gives Miss Stone
opportunities for some splendid acting, and
she lives up TO every opportunity, One
was almost inclined to "hss" her, so well
did she take the part Of the selfish wife
last night 1t was an unlovey character,
a difficult one to portray, but Miss Stone
brought out all of It's possibilities.
Mr.. lyman. too. was seen TO advantage
Utah patrons have learned what to expect
Of Mr.. lyman, and they have not been dis
appointed. His makeup was especially
good last evening. His appearance accu-
rately typified his part, The man worn out
in lighting losing fight.
chon Everhardt and Regina Connelli were
all favorites, Mr.. Burke appeared as Phil
ip Cartwright, the bachelor friend of
Ward; Mr.. Vivian lightened the piece with
his humorous excitement over getting
married and his eagerness to make money
younger brother: Miss ConneIli was well
cast as Clarice Van Zandt, Mrs. Wards
sister and Miss Everhardt in the role OF
a second Hetty Green was up to her usual
standard.