Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOER 132 V.'kf.k ending Nov. 13, 1915 i THE> STRUGGI^B UPWARD 1 Adapted from the Edison Film by Millbent Brhtow. "' C() you will really take me *3 to the Settlement tomorrow, Bliss Turner P" " STes, n ith pleasure." Thus did Philip Atwood extract a" promise from his cousin's friend. A prominent sociological worker, Helen, with the interests of the poorer classes at heart, was always ready to welcome a new member to her everincreasing band of helpers. H<r friend Marjorie, knowing her cousin to be a wealthy man. had introduced him to Helen Turner in the hope that he would be likely to advance the good work done by her energetic acqnamtance. Little did Helen dream that this promise to accompany Philip to the Settlement was going to result in their lives becoming closely united in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. # * * * T11 her one sordid tenement-room Mrs. Morton, a hard-working widow, stitched rapidly at a half-finished garment. On the bed lay her son Artie, a little boy of live, and a cripple. For his sake the mother sat long into the night, sewing • till her eyes burned and her fingers ached. Her elder son. a wastrel of nineteen, had not returned home. Often now was he absent for days. . He was too lazy to work, and when he did come home he lived on what poor food his. mother could supply. The daylight had come again before Mrs. Morton, her limbs stiff and aching, fell into a doze. Some hours later she was suddenly awakened by" footsteps. Her hungry son had returned to extract what money he > i oild from the almost empty purse of his mother. This time, however, Mrs. Morton refused to give him any. ••Jack." she pleaded, "can't you see that little Artie wants every penny I can earn ? " (led knows it is not much. and the child must live. Oh. Jack ! why won I you try and find some work ? " "Work an' I ain't pals," answered Jack sulkily. His mother began to cry. but her sen made do attempt to comfort her, and Artie, sitting up in bed, called '■ Mummie, whj a oocrying?" Then l he mother heart opened, and, with tears still streaming down her face, Mrs. ■ ! ilac'e in the li o e 1 if her .1 morninj ;, Mrs. Morton ! I In lieve 3 <>nr little s< n is ill." The \\ i >rds >ken l>y Helen. who. unannounced. had quietlj entered 1 he al tic. Helen's smili::i: i on succeeded in driving awa\ Morton's tears, and, after hearing all about the trouble the poor had w ith her lazj si u. Helen turned her attention to .lack. Very gently and with great tacl she nrtjed the misguided young man to drop his <\il associates and lead n better and I I Hi nnd so H ell did she bu< ceed h him that before she left the room she had his solemn promise to reform. * * # # Philip Atwood and Helen were married. Every luxury which the feminine heart desires was hers for the asking. Nevertheless she continued her wort amongst the poor, and innocently believed that her husband was interested in her labours. She did not know that, in the hours when Philip went to business he was raking in money from the roughs and society youths who frequented his gambling den. But Helen was not always to remain in ignorance. # # * » Jack kept his promise and reformed. He saw much of Helen, and liei.au to realise that his devotion for her was more than platonic friendship. A Christmas party was arrangsd to be held at the Settlement, and inside the hall, Helen, her husband. Jack, and many others were decorating the big room for the following dny. Helen was mounted on a pair of steps, some distance away from her husband, adjusting a Wreath of evergreen which hung on the wall. She turned to jump down, and Jack caught her in his arms. In the madness of the moment he embraced her— kissed her passionately on her lips, her cheeks, her eyes. " Ton dog ! " exclaimed an angry voice. The next moment a blow fr< m the fist of Philip Atwood sent Jack sprawling to the ground. Philip's face was li\id with rage. "You low-bred cur, how dare you touch my wife?" and lifting Jack like a child he threw him out of the hall. Some days later Jack was talking to one of his old associates wheu Helen and her husband passed. 'Gawd!" exclaimed the other man. that feller is one we've bin after for months. He's the one wot run the gaming den, and was near collared by [ice. We'll git "im this time." he added grimly, as he disappeared, leaving Jack in bewilderment. When the truth dawned upon Jack it left him' more astonished than ever. He saw it all in a flash. It was clear that Philip was a crook, and that the police were after him. It might also mean that his wife, Helen, would be arrested as an accomplice. They must be warned. Hastily he made his way to the At woods" house, and was received by Helen. " Helen Mrs. Atwood ! " Jack panted. I have come to warn you that your husband is in danger, He is an arch-crook, and the police are after him." " My husband ! Nonsense ! " exclaimed Helen, turning pale. " How dai come here, and say things like this concerning Philip? It's a wicked falsehood." . Then her husband entered. He had ovsrheard the conversation, and at ordered Jack from the room. But he knew that the words spoken were true. '" Helen, we must get away from (Continu !?4.) SlIE URGED THE MISGUIDED >