Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-02-01
THE THEATRE


valerie west uOfiLofl 10 Douiiucu
By the walls Of the little apartment in
which she has for years attended with
ceaseless care her invalid mother The
girl acquires a brilliant education, in
so far as the world of literature and
art is concerned, but knows nothing of
the lealities Of the life.
On her mothers death Valerie is
left penniess and is forced 10 seek
employment. She advertises for po-
stion, but receives no replies turns
tc the theatre as an outlet for her ar
tistic aspirations. Disguised with her
stage experiences she seeks work as
an artists model.
Neville Lewis, brilliant painter, is
eager to find a,model suited in face
and form to pose as the central figure
for a'great mural decoration he has
been commissioned 10 make for a thea
ire. At his first glimpse of Valerie
he recognizes the perfect type he has
been looking for, and when she asks
Tor work he shows her TO the dress
ing room and, thinking she is profess
sional model Of experience, merely in
dicates that she IS expected "a undress
and pose in the nude
After "a struggle with herself Va
erie conaucrs her modesty and APP
uears before the artist gnyailed. Ney-
ile engages her as his regular model,
and attracted by her intelligence, as
well her beauty falls in love with
her. although he does not realize 1t
fully. To Valerie Neville is all gen
teuess and courtesy and the girl
quickly comes to look upon him as her
IDEAL
Valerie meets Rita, another model,
and the girls become great friends,
sharing small apartment. Valerie
wins fame as "A model and gets many
engagements TO pose for advertising
companies. but refuses to pose un-
dlaped for any artist but Neville.
Among Neville's friends is Querida, a
portrait painter Of foreign origin who
is noted for his conquests of women.
Querida pays Valerie marked atten-
ton and it is through seeing them to-
gcther that Neville first comes to re
alize how deeply he has fallen in love
with his charming model.
From observing Valerie and Nev-
lille in the latter's studio. Querida also
becomes jealous and lays plans to dis
rupt their friendship. He warns
Stephanie, the society girl whom New
ille is expected by his friends and fam
ily TO marry, that Neville is losing his
head about Valerie.
Neville urges Valerie TO marry him
but she refuses. She declares that
his marriage with her would disrupt
his relations with his family and
friends and expresses her contempt
for the man-made laws of convention
al society. She tells Neville that on
the first of June she will come TO him
and be his under "the common law. ="
Neville visits his parents at their
handsome country home and tries to
persuade them not 70 oppose his mar
riage TO Valerie. His father is furi-
Gus and forbds Neville TO mention Va
lcrie's name in the house. Mrs. New
lei unhappily implores her son not
L bring disgrace upon them by what
she considers an unfortunate mrri-
age. Stephanie overhears the CONVEX
sation and realizes that she has lost
Neville's love forever.
Valerie goes walking, is lost and
reaches the Neville home as she be-
comes exhausted.
L. a O.
cides TO slip quietly from the house.
She leaves a note apologizing for her
intrusion and thanking everyone for
their kindness. Stephanie shows New
lille the note and he leaves for the city.
Valerie and Rita return TO their city
apartment and a little later Querida
comes and apologies for his actions
OF the day before, imploring Valerie to
tecome his wife Driven wild by her
refusal Querida again attempts To en-
brace her She pushes him from her
and Querida staumbles against the
low window-sill and falls into space.
tit is brought into the house in a dy.
INC condition Neville arrives at the
apartment and the dying man begs his
and Valerie's forgiveness, which Is
granted in a scene OF great pathos.
Valerie. goes TO the Neville home.
laat night it becomes the first OF
Jlme. 1t is nearly one O'Clock and
Neville is waiting in his studio won
dcring if Valerie viii keep her prom
ise As the clock strikes she enters,
but instead Of coming to him under
"the common law" she joyously tells
him Of her reception at his parents
home and they happily plan to be unit
cd the next morning under the laws
of man.
THE Common Law" will be shown
at the Genesta 'hcatre Sunday and
Iionday.
The Idlehour