The Lakeland evening telegram., 1920-08-28
"A M u S E M E N T S
ELSIE FERGUSON HAS
DRAMATIC ROLE IN PLAY,
"Hls HOUSE IN ORDER"

NiHd Granam, Iun-l0Vlng English
girl, when left penniless by the death
Of her father, obtains a position as
governess in the home Of Filmer jes
sen, a member of the House of Par
lament. This is a gloomy place, in
strong contrast to the cosy rectory oc,
cupied by Nina and her father.
The lesson household is composed
of Filmer, cold ascetic; Annabelle,
! his iawles wife; Derek, their son, and
Milary, a brother Of Filmer's, who is
/; in the Consular service. Annabelle's
family, the Ridgley's, make the Jes-
son home their own. They are fussy
Victorian types. When Nina enters
the place they treat here with char
acteristic coldness, and seeing Filmer
in an attitude which reminds her of
her dead father, she faints, thereby
! losing caste with the Ridgleys.
Nina's new life is filled with trials,
and she becomes a victim of the
blues. One night she sees Annabelle
and Derek enter an automobile and
speed away. Nina remembers that
the gates are locked and she and the
chauffeur run after the car They find
it has toppled over and that Anna
belle has been killed, thej boy, how
ever, escaping injury. After his
wife's death, Filmer realizes that he
loves Nina, and, after brief court
ship, they are welded.
1t soon dawns upon Filmer that his
house is in disorder. His wife pre-
fers to play with Derek to keeping
things straight. He upbraids Nina
and sends for Geraldine, his first
wife's sister, to keep his house in or
der. Geraldine makes life miserable
for Nina and the two have many
bitter arguments. The Ridgleys poi
son Filmer's mind against his wife.
One day Hilary comes to the house to
see his brother and Filmer confesses
that his second marriage was mis-
take. Hilary tells him he is fool at
times. This is overheard by Nina,
who becomes thoughtful. She refuses
to take part in the dedication of a
park as a memorial to Annabelle, but
on the solemn occasion appears
handsomely gowned, a course that
angers Filmer and his family.
Nina discovers that Derek is not
Filmer's son, but an army officers
and that Annabelle's secret was re-
vealed by the contents Of certain let.
ters In her possession. The officer
begs Nina not to betray him and adds
that Annabelle was on her way to re-
join him the night she met her death
Hilary overhears these revelations and
is stunned. Nina dreams of revenge
upon the Ridgley's and decides to
tell them the secret. of Derek's par
entage. She stops when she sees
Filmer and the Ridgleyls carrying
Dereck, who has been nearly
drowned, and dropping Annabelle's
letters, runs to the boy.
When told by Hilary that she has
dropped the letters, she picks them up
and makes a dash for the fireplace.
Hilary takes the letters from her and
confronts Filmer with them. He asks
Filmer to explain how Annabelle, who
kept his house in such good order,
failed to burn them. Filmer reads
the letters and orders the officer to
leave the house. The man tell him
Annabelle never loved him (Filmer). |
and the latter sees the light. He asks |
Nina's forgiveness, then, summoning
the Ridgley he tells them Nina hence |
forth is mistress of his house. Nina |
now looks forward to happiness with
her husband.