The evening world., 1922-04-25

with Helen MacKellar in big type
u was only natural on her appear
ance. perhaps, hopefully TO search
aer face for a sign OF at least q sister
ef Tess. 10 discover behind Hester's
mask . hidden tragedy that would
presently leap out at us and leave US
shaken and moved. No such luck!
The play was never movinE--and,
after all. this is the only test OF
play traffickng In the elemental pas
sions Of simple people. THE Shad-
ow" proved to be heavily British. 80
much more discursive than dramatic
~ 70 suggest that Phillpotts the play
wright had found himself unable to
set clear OF Phiilpotts the novelist
II was possible to be interested In
the folk Of Devonshire village AZ
ordinary human beings. granting CON-
siderable to n butcher 50 distressed
at the thought OF becoming q father
that his extended remarks on this
delicate subject had all the enliven-
Ing humor OF maternity hospital.
But we couldn't be expected to have
the slightest interest In the death OF
an old moneybags we hadn't even
seen. He might have been thrown
from his horse. but oddly enough his
body was nowhere 10 be found. The
circumstances were calmly discussed
in Mrs. Dunnybrigg's general store,
with suppressed air OF general re-
ioiclng. for old man Waycott had
been cordially hated. His young
nephew and heir, Elias displayed n
decent reticence that might have
been regarded as suspicious. and then
there was the cherished hope that
Hester might not be 30 innocent as
she looked. Hard put TO II. we could
conjecture she declined TO marry the
seemingly good and gentle Elias be-
cause OF having worked change In
his fortunes But all we could be
sure about was that she was swept
OFF her feet by the impetuous young
man, Philip Blanchard. who worked
In the butcher shop and wore his
smock while doing his lovemakins.
To have Elias return after SIX
months and find Hester and Phillip
happily established In their home was
one way Of keeping us waiting for
sofnething important to happen
Nothing vital occurred until word was
brought that Elias had been arrested
FOR murder. Then Phillip confessed
10 Hester that he had killed the old
man In a quarrel. BY this time every
one, Including ELIAS. knew she was
roing 70 be q mother. so II was
agreed 20 let him stand trial on the
chance OF his being acquitted. But
when he was convicted Phillip de-
cided TO save the generous youths
lIfe by writing confession and then
killing himself.
This determination put some life
into the play at the eleventh hour
.fust how Hester could let her hus-
band walk out and make an end OF
himself was a problem until she con-
yenientiy tainted. But on returning
20 consciousness she talked with the
butcher instead OF rushing out after
phillip, as any wife should have done.
The only explanation OF her strange
conduct came from the butcher, who
vouchsafed the information that she
was light-headed. But she finally
had sense enough to start boy
chasing after her husband, while she
followed. with the news that Elias
had relieved the situation by ending
his life. For a time. 20 make mat
ters more tedious. Phillip declared he
could not accept the sacrifice and
keep his honor. but Hester at last
persuaded him 10 live for her and the
child that was 20 come II really was
high time something was done for the
sake OF the exceedingly patient au-
dience.
Miss MaeKeiiar was q simple Hes