The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-09-21
BY SARI FEDAK

Around me the city sleeps WnllS
am thinking, dreaming. remem-
boring, drawing plans. With burn
ing eyes, and throbbing head /
gaze from my window over dark
ened dwellings, and try to catch a
glimpse of the future lying behind
the dark veil that will De lifted
when my ordeal is over.
My mind races over the entire
world and back, over a life filled
with memories that open many
wounds, and my poor heart begins
to bleed. My mind builds an
enormous bridge which reaches
from Budapest to America. Once
American cities. Around me 1 find
lively, gay, happy, fortunate Amer
lean women.
Over this bridge / have dragged
with me heavy, battered over
loaded trunk. May I open this
trunk in such company?
Yes, because | wish you would
look into it with me- Although you
are brilliantly feathered birds and
live in sheltered nests ] know that
you possess hearts which can sym
pathize and understand. In your
sublime country woman Is an In
violable ideal. For you, it is diff
cult to imagine one can wilfully
offend women, expose her to pub
lie disgrace and even beat her in
private life.
| cannot tell you my whole story.
l cannot lay bare the entire con-
tents of my trunk. Suffice it to
say these horrors are all contained
therein.
For weeks 1 have been bombarded
by reporters, but / have been un-
able to tell my story. l couldn't
bring myself to tell them alive in
my soul--a woman's soul. They
wouldn't have understood. They
might even have smiled. To you,
however, my dear, dear American
sisters I shall unburden myself.
Go back with me thirteen years.
Wa are in a fairylike city on the
Danube Budapest. 1t was here /
fell in love with Franz Molnar. 1t
was on a September evening, al
most exactly thirteen years ago to
day-but how differents my feel
ings then. The curtain had just
been rung down on the second act
of q successful play. Laughing and
happy, / was running to my dress
ing room. Success had crowned
my stage efforts and tumultuous APP
plause was still ringing in my ears.
Just as | reached the door I
heard a sonorous. imperative voice
behind me calling:
"Fedak, -Fedak, listen just a
minute!'
destiny. / stopped. ! should have
10 Dat
doesn't go away One stops.
If had ignored the voice and
continued on my way I wouldn't
This moment sit here with my head
resting in my hands-weeping. Also
I wouldn't have this heavily laden
trunk to exhibit to you. Presently
the voice said:
Praised Her Acting
1--WE watched one scene of yours.
YOU are very talented, but a great
actress you will become only when
you know a man like me-"
| raised my shoulder as a Hun
grian woman instinctily does in
such situations, even from girlhood,
gave him a look of scorn and ran
to my dressing room.
But is was too late. Throughout
the evening mental pictures Of this
man chased one another through
my heGd-how nice his face-hoW
beautiful white his hair-hoW pecu.
lair his eyes-caressing and black
VelveA,
Why did | listen to that voice!
If ! had gone on / would not now
be preparing to battle for my life
battle in defense Of my honor To
morrow 1 must appear in court and
again meet this man. and meet him
] will-meet him with superhuman
tranquility and with head erect. l
am '-nafraid of any living person.