The Photo-Play Journal (May 1916-Apr 1917)

PAGE 8. THE PHOTO-PLAY JOURNAL FOR AUGUST, 1916. Wynne s helplessness increased as the odor of escaping gas filled the cellar "I know what I need," returned David impatiently, and he took from his jacket pocket the worn case which contained the instrument Wynne so hated. "You would be a much greater help to your husband if you'd try the 'stuff' too," added her husband. "Come on now, Wynne, and I'll show you how to get cheer and optimism in a half minute." Not thinking him in earnest at first, Wynne only mildly repelled his offer of the loaded syringe, but as she suddenly realized what her husband would do, she broke from him screaming, and ran to the stairway, where Fritz barred the pursuing madman's way. Thoroughly on edge now, David tried to thrust the janitor aside, and in the ensuing struggle, he dropped and stepped upon the hypodermic, crushing the glass barrel to powder and spilling what of the drug remained on to the stairway. As Wynne disappeared in the janitor's quarters below stairs, Fritz attempted to reason with her husband, but, realizing his condition, nervous and ashamed, and with the prospect of no relief now that the instrument had been accidentally destroyed, David turned upon the man in a fury. "Leave me or I'll kill you !" he screamed at Fritz, and with a supreme physical effort, he thrust the man down the stairs and, rushing into his studio, closed and locked the door. After hearing Wynne's story, which only verified his suspicions, Fritz decided to leave before the artist, becoming violent, and irritated by his presence, did something which would endanger his liberty. He advised Wynne how to deal with her frenzied husband, and gave her the address of a little country place not far from the city, to which he would now go to pay a long deferred visit to relatives. Assuring the sorrowing wife that she need only come there when things became unbearable, Fritz left with only a few of his belongings, as he had no idea his stay would be permanent, and fully intended to attempt seriously David's redemption should conditions gets any worse, and the wife's future's safety demand action. Wynne took stock of her condition and decided to rest where she was for the time being. She realized that David was quite mad for the moment, and felt it her duty to avoid him rather than further irritate by her presence. It is a week later before Wynne ventures again into her husband's quarters. She finds no signs of occupancy, and dust covers the furniture, so that it is evident to the distressed woman that she is permanently deserted. As she sits thinking of her past opportunities and wondering on whom to place the blame of her present state, a knock upon the door is followed by the entrance of a man. "Hugh !" exclaims the unfortunate tenant of the now wretched rooms. "I have learned everything, Wynne. I know what you have suffered and that your husband is even now in the room of his former mistress, recovering from a debauch which leaves him bereft of sense. friends and even the necessities of life. I have come for you. After a little while at home we will marry as we planned a vear ago, for soon your degraded artisthusband will go the way of his kind. We have only to wait a little while and in pleasant anticipation of our future." As Gordon said. David had found himself without cocaine and with nothing to apply it with if he had it, so shortly after Frrtz's departure he had gone to Rene for assistance. Feeling herself responsible for his condition, which shocked her. the girl at first refused to give him ihe drug. But, finding an intimate of them both, known as Timmv the Rat, quite willing to do so if she did not. the girl gave heed to his pleadings, and the trio entered upon a drug feast which only neared its end the night before Hugh visited the studio, after having seen David and Rene in company with The Rat, hanging about his offices the day before.' Their quite insane appearance gave him cause to worry for his own safety, and Wynne's father of late had shown "an inclination to brood over his daughter's absence, blaming his junior partner, all of which moved Hugh to seek her out. Continuing his urging, the one scorned suitor for Wynne Mortimer's hand seated himself beside the cocaine fiend's wife. Wynne thought how timely was his return, and wished he would say something of her father. Without money or a supply of the drug, David came to himself and found The Ral and Rene had left him alone in the hovel where he had spent most of the past week. Suffering for lack of his usual stimulant he remembered that he had not been to his studio in some days. There might be some of the precious tablets lying about there, or in his jacket pockets, he thought. At any rate, nothing was worse than this inaction, so he crept from the place and hurried along toward the scene of his early triumphs. Mounting the stairs slowly because of his weakness, the artist turned the door knob silently, only to hesitate on the threshold at the sound of voices. "Come, Wynne, make up your mind to rescue yourself before it has to be done for you."' sounded a man's voice. "Is it not sufficient that you have endured this .thing for more than a year? Must you continue now there is nothing but suffering before you, while your home and father — and I await you as if nothing had ever happened?" Stepping softly through the curtains to his inner room, David silently procured his revolver from the desk, and turning to the portieres, leveled it at the pair seated beneath the studio skylight. As he was about to press the trigger, a hand knocked his arm aside and Fritz seized the gun as the voice of Wynne echoed through the tragic air. "I have made a terrible mistake, but it is my duty to stay with my husband until he is free from the dreadful habit." David's arm fell limp then as he realized the nobility of her nature. He started to slink away, hoping to be unobserved, but Fritz turned him aside into his old room. "Don't tell me anything, Fritz ; I realize everything. All I want to do now is free myself from cocaine and she will be at liberty to leave me for better things." "Your late friends will not let you, Mr. White, if you stay around here. But with my brother in Modena is quiet and rest. 1 will take you and there you shall get well." Fritz spoke earnestly and had little difficulty persuading David to accompany him. They left that hour and installed in the new environment and among kindly pe6ple, the fight was easier than the victim had supposed it would be. It is six months later. Wynne has been seriously ill at her father's home. Hugh Gordon hovers about her and she sees it is her father's wish that she upon recovery accede to Hugh's proposal and divorce her husband. "I'll answer you finally tomorrow," she responds to Gordon's last effort to win her over to his way of thinking. It is the first day of her recovery, when she is able to go out and about. Determined at last to see David but once again and then return to her own blood and the life that is rightfully hers, Wynne goes to the studio alone late in the afternoon. Fritz watched her ascend the stairs and in reply to the expected query, said : "I know nothing. He is not here." "Where then is he?" returns the girl, looking anxiously about the studio. "Not here. I don't know." And that ended the man's share of the interview.