The Press., 1918-04-18

Rfurfuus fame to the failggsss Ehe' humiliation, the poverty that is now my Iot9 She, the matchless, whose spell of melody has held two continents in thrall. Never! had hoped to sustain the incomparable reputation had seemingly won. saw not only fame, but wealth ahead. And now, cruinDted t0 dust, I see the false fabric of my vision in nrfhs.n
 This had happened: Darius Marsh for year had held the popular stage as the most finished tragedian of g, quarter of a century. He had prac' tically adopted Harold Wynne, the son of dead friend, and had seen him started upon a substantial and prom" lsing business career. He had won the love of the superb queen of sOn8s Aeline Ward. That stately woman had given up her career to become the wife of man to whom she had given the deepest love of her heart. Sne was wealthy, and up to a month ago. Mir. Marsh, earning the highest com pensation In the profession, had won glorious laurels and money without stint.
 There were those who had envle0 him; there were critics whom his openD independent way had offended. Then, too, he had come to 8 city where the audiences were of the coarser grade. His magnificent rendition of one of Che most peerless of all Shakesperean char acters had palled upon the shallow aD- preciation of an audience whose tastes had been vitiated by the tinselled al lnrementgRf burlesque and rag-time .masHs 9nanagement read the end m deTa d audiences. One night there was no applause, the next hiss. In the strength Of his pride Darius Marsh recinded his contract.
 His high-strung temperament re- sented the ingratitude of capriciOus public, the petty meannesses of his enemies. Sensitive, tuned up mental ly like to a delicate instrument, he re- solved never again to appeal to pOpu- lar favor, and the impulse to end itaIl had overweighted his reason for the time being. .--s 5
 It was love and devotion that ear- ried the day, the influence of loyal Harold Wynne, a realization of the unselfish affection of the noble -soHled operatic star. Within weeks time. Wynne had unfolded his plan. Re luctantly and half dubiously Marsh assented to its details. ' .....
 It was a month lateB when the. largest theater in the city advertised as a leading feature for the next weeks program "the marvellous im- personator, Walsingham." No one had ever heard of him before. but the states ment was advertised broadcast that he was one of the most extraordinary mimics in the world. ..@
 His repertoire included impeFsOna. tions of all the great tragedians. So faithful to nature were these, that after the first night the house was fair ly packed. The feature became the attraction of the week. Then for the last performance it was annOunceds that Walsingham "would give an im-e personatiOn of Darius Marsh in his fa- nous Shakespearean success" s*::.
 There was a certain mystery sur- rounding Walsingham. He never ap- peared in public. He got to his dress ing room and out of 1t wearing a false beard and evaded all fellow artists, On the final night of the engagement a woman sat far back in private box; She was Aeline Ward. Nearer to the front sat Harold Wynne. . ...-<z..#
 The impersonation of 'the fallen, star" began amid deep hush. Those who had seen the original role sat spellbound. Then as: the actor backed off the stage the critics were cheering, old playgoers stood up waving their arms in a frenzy of enthusiasm. The vast auditorium was almost scene of riot. Never had so faithful and fhrill- Ing portraiture been delivered Amid. thunders of applause Walsingham re- turned to the stage. He was recalled once, twice, thrice. Then, removing wig and facial mask, he stood revealed Darius Marsh. .. T
 Tn flash the audience comprehend ed-then pandemOnium brook loose, H Again and again Darius Marsh vas called before the curtain, his old pres. tige re-established. "The fallen starr was once more fixed in the Armament of lasting fame -... :.
 Not only fortune, not only fame his, T but lOve-the tender devotion of the peerless creature, Aeline Ward, whose clever plan had influenced the test that led the fickie public back to its old