New-York tribune., 1920-02-22

1t is twilight and above the distant
hills hovcrs purplish sky Except for
the faint rustling of leaves the country
side is quiet. On a bowlder sits a
young man whose head rests lightly
on his outstretched palm and whose
eyes are riveted on the pages Of an
open book. The cool breath of late
spring has brushed back his plentiful,
soft brown hair, revealing handsome
face covered with wistful smile.
While the young man reads the book
uninterruptedly can tell you where
we are. In the Morosco Theater and
the curtain has just risen on the first
scene of Eugene sn oNos Bey0nd the
noon.
Outside the cold blasts race crazily
along Broadway. Inside fresh warm
breezes stray leisurely among the hills
and trees. But the silence is broken
and the spell, too, by voice from the
valley below which becomes louder as
its master approaches. A solidly built
young man comes into the scene. His
large face, red even in the pale light,
is wet with perspiration. He says
something banal in dull voice and the
action has begun.
They are two brothers, both farm
younger of the two, is a dreamer, while
Andrew edward Arnold) is a practi-
cal fellow. We learn that Robert
leaves on the morrow to ship for the
Far East with an uncle, who is a ship
captain. Practical Andrew is of the
opinion that Robert is leaving because
Of the splendid opportunities, but the
latter denies this smilingly and says
quite frankly that he hadsnever thought
of the practical side of the voyage.
He tells Andrew how, when little
boy, he was always curious about the
horizon" and how he promised himself
that he would visit them when he grew
older. How he feels penned in by the
daily grind of the farm even though he
has had little of it because of constant
illness. And, although Andrew does
not comprehend, he mods understand
ingly and leaves for the farmhouse.
1T becomes darker and Robert finds
reading more difficult each minute. A
girl steals up behind him and touches
him softly. He turns and sees Ruth
(Helen MacKellar), his childhood play
mate. In the conversation that follows
he paints with beautiful words the
places he hopes to see. Ruth does not
understand, but is held spellbound by
the external beauty of the boys
thoughts.
When Robert tells her how happy he
is that she loves Andrew she bursts
out that it is not his brother but him
whom she loves. Her sudden gust of
passion sweeps Robert Off his feet and,
OF course, into her arms. She makes
him promise not to leave. Later in the
evening Robert tells his parents Of his
decision and how he reached it. An
drew, .chagrined that Ruth does not
love him, decides to leave. despite bit
ter paternal opposition. The brothers
part friends.
Three years have passed when the
curtain rises again on the sitting room
In the farmhouse. 1t is hot summer
day. The widowed mothers of Ruth
and Robert sit discussing the heat and
their children. We learn that Robert
has made fearful mess of farming
The talk Of the two women is inter
rupted by the ftful crying of Mary
elm FINN, their grandchild. Mrs.
Atkins (Louise Closer Hale), Ruth's
mother and a nag, complains peevishly
that no peace is to be had.
Later we witness a domestic battle
between Robert and Ruth. The former
looks worn and sick. Ruth tells him
that she has been sick of him most of