The Washington times., 1915-10-26

beauty about this young woman she
has tho humility OF the novice. In
Atead of retorting in crushing fashion
she accepts the directions in words Of
reversed English. Therefore. the di-
rectors believe that one day-d day
not for distant-Miss Purcell will be a
screen queen; the managers already
want her to pack up and settle In Hol-
lywood the Californian colony Of
''mCviG" actors.
Bu: Miss Purcell is not 50 sure that
she ever will gain the success predict
ed for her. And. come to think of 1t.
that Is most unusual because ninety
nine girls out Of hundred believe they
are better than Mary Picltford. and the
beautiful ones among them call Hazel
Dawn, a stick"
II an, one doubts that Ruth Purcell
her own limitations. Also. she Is Of a
modest. retiring disposition. When she
was selected as The Washington Times
was actually frightened. 1t is not AN
exagLcration to say that she did not
expect that the committee would crown
her queen Of the congress Of beauty.
When the verdict OF the experts was
Endorsed by the laymen. Miss Purcell
In time believed what every one told
herewith a slight reservation.
= : Doubts Having Talent.
"After / had won." she told the in
terviewer. every one congratulated me
and said they had told me so. all ex-
capt one old Irish woman. She said
to me:
Ruth. shure, it's not your looks that
won for you. II was the grace of God
and your good ker-ACT-er'
d 1T Is the way feel about the movies.
1t Is not my talent that will make me
q wonderful success. fear have
nothing to go on now except the grace
Of God and my good ker-ACT-cr"
She had just come from mass when
the interviewer met her Her prayer
book was on the table in her temporary
home in an old-fashioned house In
East Sixty-fifth street. where she lives
with her mother. As she removed her
becoming hat. Thomas Hoods song Of
another Ruth was recalled:
Round her eyes her tresses fell.
Which were blacklist none could tell.
But long lashes yelled a light
That had else been all too bright.
And her hat with shady brim
Made her tressy forehead dim:
Thus she stood among the stocks.
Praising God with sweetest looks
Sweet, Wholesome Girl.
She did not look the actress. Her
raven hair was parted in the center ana
fell In simple waves over her ears to
form a frame for her clear features.
Her dark eyebrows needed no pencil
her lashes no shading. There was not
q trace of face powuer nor or rouge
Her lips. without the aid OF color ap-
piled with Il stick, were vivid red.
Her dress Was in equal sinplcity.
Under her black sult she wore thin
parti-colored waist. over which she
draped Il chiffon scarf As free from al
lection as her dress ana appearance.
was her manner. TO the interviewer
she proved herself sweet. wholesome
girl. unspoiled and unpampered. shy
rather than assertive.
The interviewer. anxious to give her
the benefit of every doubt, asked her
how she enjoyed being a motion pic
ture star. She laughed gayly
Movie star! Why. I haven't got
enough skill yet to be a good member
OF movie mob. ! am probably the
extra women. girls who get a few dol
lars week for their work. who know
more about the work than I ever will
learn. fear.
"Only one thing keeps me In the work
II am ambitious. Personally, I doubt
that / have talent. but there are many
who believe I have. Mr.. Carl Laemlle
of the Universal Company, thinks
shall succeed and the direct ors In the
Imp studios believe I may make good
So. with their encoura cement. am
going ahead"
was never StageStruCE
The studios of the Imp Company are
on Eleventh avenue with the Hudson
river on one side and the tracks of the
New York Central on the other. Jus,
above Eleventh avenue is one of the
toughest sections in Manhattan. with
the screams of the river craft, the bells
and rumbles of the Centrals trains
and the street Noises. the environment
is far from perfcct-there is nothing or
which the artistic temperament car
nour!sh.
1t is an old warehouse that the Imu
people have TRANSFORMED into a movie
studio. until their more Commod ous
quarters at Fort Lee. across the river
are completed Here, under bare white
washed rafters. in an atmosphere
strongly reminiscent OF the original
uses of the building, Miss Purcell is
being trained so that some day she may
be featured.
"Probablv am the only girl Of think
Ing age who has not been stage struck -
said Miss Purcell "Thcre have been
thousands with whom | have come ir
contact who believe that life on the
stage or In the screen business is just
one continual Jubilee | would like "a
take these girls through our warehouse
would like to have them see the bust.