Reel Life (Sep 1913 - Mar 1914)

12 Reel Life "I know a woman who looks ver}' like her," said the artist. And stepping to a door spoke to someone in the adjoining room. "Nora, can you come here a minute?'' The caller heard the name. "Xora,"' he repeated. "Who is sht-?" "My sister." A curtain was brushed aside and a woman, possessed of the poise which the old-time Nora had lacked, stepped into the studio. Norville's gaze traveled to her face. "Nora, could you — forgive me? I've hunted for you everywhere; I want to make amends — She hesitated — searching the face for convincing proof of the sincerity. No one knew what the five years had cost her. Then — with a little inacticulate cry — she was in his arms. Kay !iee A Woman's Wit Oct. 24, 1913. That a woman, placed in a desperate situation — for the sake of the man she loves, will see a way out, saving his honor — though it be at the cost of another man's life — the drama, "A Woman's Wit," convincingly portrays. Clara Ferrj is devoted to Ned Fern, whose besetting sin is poker. Ned is foreman of the Arrowhead Ranch. He draws the money for the morrow's pay day — and, coming out of the bank, meets Jim White, a gambler, whom he owes heavily. The gambler glances significantly at the grip Fern carries, and says with a sarcastic smile, "I'll expect you to settle your gambling debts to-morrow, but if you care to play to-night, you may recover." Fern takes the money home, and puts it in the safe. His wife notices his uneasiness, and that evening, as he is leaving t^e house, she lays her hand on his arm, looking up at him, imploringly. "Don't gamble to-night, Ned. Remember your responsibilities, dear — " He kisses her with real affection, but cannot shake off his moodiness. At length, he plunges out into the darkness, leaving her, troubled, trying to hide her anxiety from their boy, Tom. At the saloon Fern meets White, and by midnight, in addition to his previous debt, he owes him two hundred dollars. Fern is deeply depressed. He writes out the I. O. U. note, signs it, hands it to White, and makes a move to go. The saloon is emptying, and White detains him a moment. When he is sure that no one is left within ear-shot he goes cautiously close to Fern, making a proposition to him under his breath. Fern is shocked and repelled. Then White continues, smiling sarcastically, and speaking urgently: "If you'll leave the safe open I'll do the rest. It'll be a clean case of burglary and you'll cancel your debts." Clara Fern — in her worried state of mind — does not sleep soundly. She is wakened by someone stirring in the next room, and thinks immediately of the money. She rouses Tom and sends him to the settlement for his father and the sheriff. Then she creeps, fearfully, to the door of the living room — ^to see a man on his knees before the safe, fumbling at the combination. She shoots — and Ned Fern throws up his hands and falls. Hysterically, she kneels by him — he confessing what he was about to do. White will be there at any moment. Like a flash, she reads the possibilities in the situation, and the heroic part she must play. Her husband is a wounded man, unable to defend himself or her. The rapid action that follows is a play within the play — the triumph of a woman's wit and nerve. Clara Fern saves her husband's reputation, wins for him a reward of $500 for disposing of "Silent Jim, wanted for burglary" — cancels his debts forever — and succeeds in concealing from Tom his father's guilt in the whole, miserable entanglement. She is a heroine worth seeing — and remembering. A Woman's Wit Kay Bee