The Irene Dunne Site
"WHY did you do that, Gordon?" Hector Stribling asked the question of his friend Gordon Evers as they sat in the Café Anglais in Paris.
Hector referred to the action of his friend in buying up the whole stock of a hawker who was selling cheap and very nasty picture-postcards.
"Oh, just to save the soul of some American tourists," said Gordon.
"This won't do, old man," said Hector, "You've had five drinks here, and it's not yet noon."
"What of it?"
"Just this. You are killing yourself. Why don't you take up some sport? Tennis, for instance?"
"No good. Doctor's orders. No violent exercise, Hector."
"What does he say about this?"
"This isn't exercise. Besides, he doesn't know anything about this."
Hector said no more. He knew hos Gordon felt about things. Gordon was carrying a memento of the war in the shape of a bullet that had lodged somewhere in his chest and the doctors had told him they dare not to operate to get it out. They also told him that it might shift at any moment and that would mean that he would die.
After a long silence, broken only by Gordon ordering drinks, Hector spoke.
""You'll get morbid sitting around like this. Why don't you come with me and Jewel to-night?"
"Where are you going?"
"To a party. The Cazenoves."
"That's a queer name. What are they?"
"Cazenove is a bit of everything. Part Russian, part Italian and part Spanish. That must make it very interesting to his wife. Sort of having a Cook's tour living with you," sneered Hector.
"Sarah Cazenove is a wonderful woman," said Hector. "My wife is very fond of her."
"If Jewel is fond of her she must be all right. What do these people do?"
"Since their marriage they've been knocking about Europe. Sarah is an American girl, like my wife. That's how they became friends."
"Knocking about Europe,eh? Well, that's better than knocking about at home."
Gordon spoke with a great bitterness.
"What's the trouble between you and Catherine?" asked Hector.
"I imagine the major trouble is that we don't like each other."
"Then why doesn't she divorce you?"
"She's going to, as soon as she makes up her mind."
"You're queer fellow, Gordon. One of the most brilliant barristers in London, you suddenly throw up your career to drink yourself to death in Paris."
"I'm through with London. I may go out East."
"Think of your work, man."
"I'm tired of spending my life in a badly ventilated court," said Gordon.
"Are you coming with us to-night, Gordon?"
"White tie or dinner jacket?"
"Dinner jacket."
"All right. I'll come."
The moment Gordon Evers saw Sarah Cazenove he was fascinated with her. Judged by modern standards Sarah would not have been called good looking, but she had something more than looks -- she had character.
As for her husband, Tono, Gordon sized him up at once as a man who could play the part of a gigolo or a blackmailer or both. His experience of courts of law had given him a wonderful insight into human nature and he rarely made a mistake in summing up people. In this case he was quite right. Tono Cazenove was a braggart and a blackguard.
Gordon found himself wondering why Sarah had married such a man. But in the same breath he wondered why he had ever fallen in love with his wife enough to marry her. That had puzzled him all his life. Not that anything mattered now.
He would soon be dead.
Once the bullet shifted it would only be a question of days -- of hours, most probably.
That was what Gordon thought before he met Sarah.
Then his desire for life returned.
He smiled when Jewel introduced him to Sarah as a famous barrister.
"And how is dear Tono?" asked Jewel.
Gordon noticed the rasping sarcasm in her voice.
"Is he still doing what he calls interior decorating?" added Jewel.
"Yes. He's doing a house for some woman in Cannes. He's giving her a lemon coloured bath-room to match her complexion," said Sarah with a laugh.
Tono went away while the party was having cocktails and he suddenly reappeared with a small suitcase.
"Darling!" he said to Sarah. "I've just had a telephone message. I've got to go to Cannes right away. You'll forgive me?"
"Of course, Tono" answered Sarah, "I should hate to keep you from -- from Cannes."
Gordon knew she had meant to say -- "that woman."
After Tono had gone there was a general feeling of relief. It was as though somebody had opened the window in the morning after an all-night party. The air seemed fresher.
"What are we going to do?" asked Jewel.
"Go somewhere," said Sarah.
"Let's get Mr. Evers out of his hermit shell."
She turned to Gordon.
"We'll show you Paris inside out. You know. Those places where all the lights are bright and you don't have to think."
"That's fine, Jewel," said Hector. "Gordon thinks too much."
They went to the Ambassadeurs'.
Hector and Jewel danced and Gordon was content to sit at the table with Sarah and watch.
"You don't like dancing?" questioned Sarah.
"Not when I see Hector dancing," replied Gordon. "He reminds me of an elephant."
"She has a good time. Not the elephant -- Jewel." said Sarah.
"It all depends what you want out of life," said Gordon.
"What do you want?" asked Sarah, looking him straight in the face.
"Nothing much," said Gordon. "Just a little peace."
Sarah looked at him closely as he raised his glass.
"A handsome man; an understanding man," she thought. "Not like that husband of mine," she added bitterly.
Hector and Jewel went home, leaving Gordon and Sarah in the dance-room.
Some understanding drew them together and though it was very late when they left the Ambassadeurs' Gordon suggested they should go somewhere else.
"We could go to Hector's flat," said Sarah.
Then she laughed.
"But why do you want to stay out?"
"Just because of you. I'm feeling lonely and something tells me your're feeling the same way."
"You're right," admitted Sarah. "We're a couple of miserable merrymakers, aren't we?"
Hector and Jewel were still up when they arrived and gave them a welcome, but soon Sarah and Gordon found themselves together.
Gordon found she had a revolver in her handbag and he guessed the reason.
"I thought of doing that," he said. "I don't now. I'm going to make a new start -- not end things."
Withoug doing any whining Sarah told him so much about her husband that he did not wonder on her deciding to commit suicide.
"I'm going back to London tomorrow, or rather today," said Gordon. "Why don't you come with me? Get a divorce if you are miserable with him."
"Why should I do that simply because you have taken pity on me?"
"I object to that word pity. I've too much respect for you to feel that. Will you come with me?"
"Yes," said Sarah gravely.
"Good. Then we shan't need this any more," said Gordon, as he took the revolver from her bag.
Sarah Gets Her Divorce
SARAH had no difficulty in getting a divorce. The woman at Cannes was not the only one in Tono's life, and he had enough sense not to defend the action.
Sarah started a shop. She had been a very good interior decorator before Tono came into her life and learned at from her.
Now she started a business which was not only called an art store but was one.
Througout all these months Gordon had told Sarah very little about himself. He had spoken of his wife and told Sarah she would divorce him, but of his family he had said nothing.
So Sarah had a big surprise one day when Gordon came into the shop and told her he had come to take her to meet his mother.
"But what about the shop?" asked Sarah.
"Lock it up. Come along."
On the way Gordon opened his heart, and told Sarah all about his wife. But it was when they were in the old-fashioned garden of his mother's house that he spoke to his love to Sarah.
"I've not spoken before, Sarah, because you had your own trouble. But I've come to the conclusion that life isn't worth living unless a man has got a woman to live for. I've never had one."
"Didn't she ever care for you? Were either of you ever in love?"
"We thought so at first, but Catherine and I found out that we had made a mistake. It wasn't anybody's fault, really, and soon after our marriage we had a sort of understanding that should either want a divorce the other would not stand in the way. Ever since that night in Paris I've felt we belong to each other. But if you are only feel friendship and want to continue that way I shall be quite satisfied."
"You make me very proud," said Sarah.
"If I were free would you marry me?" asked Gordon.
Sarah smiled.
"I've considered it for some time," she said.
"You darling," said Gordon. "Now we'd better go and find mother. I forgot to tell you, but she's giving a charity fete. We'll find her in another part of the grounds."
Sarah found Mrs. Evers a jolly woman, and aristocrat without any affectation. She was running a sideshow, in which one was trying to knock little pigs down a slide, and as soon as she had made a smiling acknowledgment to her son's introducing of Sarah, she returned to her task, shouting like a born showman.
"Three shots for sixpence," she cried.
And then, aside to Sarah: "Gordon has told me all about you. I'll give you four shots for sixpence."
"I can't throw," said Sarah, "but I will buy for Gordon to try."
Gordon threw, but without any luck.
Then he gave his mother half a crown for three more balls.
"How about the change?" he asked when he had thrown the balls, again unsucessfully.
"There is no change here," said Mrs. Evers. "Every penny I get goes to the orphans."
"I wish I were an orphan," said Gordon.
"You will be if I stay out in this heat much longer," said his mother.
"Can't you get anybody to help you?"
"Everybody is busy," replied Mrs. Evers. She turned to Sarah.
"Would you like to help Jewel Stribling with her shooting gallery?"
"I'd love to," replied Sarah. "I'd no idea Jewel was here."
"Oh yes. She's one of my best assistants. Run over and help her."
Mrs. Evers ran away to grab a prospective customer and Sarah spoke to Gordon.
"Do you think she likes me?"
"Of course she likes you. Didn't she give you four balls for sixpence? Come on. I'll take you over to Jewel's show and then I'm going to find Catherine and talk things over. Everything is soon going to be just perfect."
Gordon took Sarah to Jewel's shooting gallery and then he hurried away. He wanted to find his wife and get her to agree to divorce him.
Jewel welcomed Sarah in the middle of an argument she was having with a young man she called "Reggie," who was complaining he had received a dud packet of cigarettes.
"I've been having the most awful time," said Jewel. "Reggie has been shooting at me instead of the target. It's only a little air-gun but, believe me, those pellets can hurt."
"I'm going to keep the right side of the barrier," laughed Sarah.
Jewel served a customed and then came back to Sarah.
"Have you heard the latest?" she asked.
"What is it?" replied Sarah. "I never hear the latest these days. Too busy."
"It's about Gordon Evers," said Jewel. "He's fallen in love with woman who runs a junk shop."
Sarah knew that Jewel was referring to her, although it was obvious Jewel did not know it.
"I think I'll have to be going," said Sarah. "I've just remembered an appointment. You might tell Gordon Evers I've gone."
Jewel's face changed.
"What's the matter?" she asked. "Have I said anything?"
But Sarah was already walking away.
A Vindictive Woman
Gordon was lucky enough to find his wife at home. It was rarely that hse could be found there after breakfast until she came home at night.
"I've got something to show you," she said. "How do you like my new pieces of pottery?"
"Very pretty," said Gordon.
"I bought them from that woman who has just opened a shop in King's Road."
Gordon knew his wife referred to Sarah.
"Not spying, were you, Catherine?" he asked.
"No, I just wanted to know what the woman had to offer. The woman who served me was old enough to be your mother. You're not running after Cockney landladies, are you?"
Gordon laughed.
It was clear his wife had seen Mrs. Gill, Sarah's housekeeper, who sometimes waited at customers.
"I can assure you that the real proprietor is very charming."
"Oh. Do you mind letting me know exactly where I stand?" asked Catherine.
"That's why I'm here. You will remember that some time ago you were very anxious to divorce me."
"Anxious is a strong word. After all, I didn't go through with it."
"No. You went to Scotland instead. But if you're still willing I should like you to divorce me."
Catherine laughed unpleasantly.
"I have no intention of divorcing you -- at present," she said. "You are doing pretty well, you know. Making a big name and big money."
"I see," said Gordon.
There was a bitter rage in his heart as he walked from the house. His wife had not even made a pretence at being in love with him. She was vindictive. She meant to keep him chained to her legally, even if they never as much as saw each other. Sarah was free, but he was tied to a woman who had no love for him.
He went straight to Sarah.
"You've seen her?" said Sarah.
"Yes. She refuses to divorce me."
"But she promised," said Sarah.
"Yes, but now that it has come to the point, she refuses. She said she has no intention of giving me up to another woman just as I'm beginning to get back and amount to something."
Gordon paused and then added:"She said it might be a bad thing for me at this time."
He spoke with bitter sarcasm, but Sarah became thoughtful.
"Perhaps it would," she said.
"You know better," said Gordon. "If I'm beginning to amount to anything, it's your doing. I want you, and that's all that matters to me."
"Surely there must be some way out of it?" said Sarah.
Gordon shook his head.
"Not that I can see. The English divorce laws are not like those of America. So long as she refuses to divorce me, I can do nothing to free myself. I asked if you would marry me if I were free. Well, I'm not free. I seem to have bungled my life pretty thoroughly, but that's no reason for making a mess of yours. Forgive me, darling. It's been a pleasant dream but it's over."
"You don't say that very well," said Sarah, looking closely at Gordon. "You don't want to give me up, do you."
"You know that, Sarah."
"Then you shan't. I won't let you. I'll be found sitting on the steps of your office every day."
"You darling. But no. It would not be fair to you. Your life had been hurt enough already."
"It was you who helped built it up already, Gordon. I want to live it for you."
Gordon took a little house in the country. It was a place he had always been fond of as a boy and he was fortunate in finding the house was to be let. Sarah was delighted with it. Like most educated Americans she had a wonderful regard for anything that was old English.
But when she had been all over the house and the grounds crying out her pleasure like a child, she suddenly became very serious.
"Gordon," she said, "if things ever become difficult -- if all this ever changes -- you will tell me, won't you?"
"Why, my dear -- " began Gordon, but Sarah silenced him with a gesture.
"I know what you are going to say. That you will never change. But people do change, and if that time ever comes I want you to say to me, 'The time has come.'"
Gordon laughed.
"Like the walrus in 'Alice in Wonderland.'"
"I always thought the walrus was very sensible and straightforward," said Sarah.
"I don't want to be sensible this afternoon of all days," said Gordon. "I want to forget everything in the world but you."
"That's wonderful," said Sarah.
"Now shut your eyes," said Gordon. "I'm going to kiss you."
"All right," said Sarah.
But she did not shut her eyes.
Tono Stages a Little Act
No two people in all the world could have been happier than Sarah and Gordon. It was as Gordon had said to her in Paris the first time they met -- that he felt they belonged to each other. The simplest things delighted them, and though both had seen night life in many cities, they had no use for it now, though now and again they would go the rounds of the town -- "Just to stop being hermits," as Gordon said.
Sarah still kept up the shop, though Gordon wanted her to give it up. But he did not insist. He knew why Sarah wanted to keep on the business. It gave her a sense of independence.
One day, when Sarah was dressing the window, she suddenly saw Tono looking at her from the street.
She went to the door and called him in.
"Don't stand there grinning like a fool," she said.
"This is quite nice," said Tono, as he looked round the little sitting-room a the back of the shop. "Quite like old times, Sarah. It makes me feel quite sentimental."
"I don't feel sentimental," said Sarah very sharply.
"Oh, don't talk that way," said Tono pleadingly. "I've come to help you out."
"Help me out?"
"Yes. I'm closing my shop in Paris and I have a few things I thought you might want."
"Thank you, but I've got all I can handle here."
Tono made a contemptuous gesture.
"But this is all rubbish. I still have those beautiful Vernie panels. I'll let you have them for what I gave for them -- twelve hundred."
"Eight, wasn't it?"
"No, darling. I'm quite sure it was twelve."
"My mistake, perhaps. But I'm not interested. If you want money, why don't you say so? I can let you have a few pounds, but that's all. I haven't got much."
"I know. But I thought Mr. Evers set you up."
"Wherever did you get that idea?"
"I've heard things. A friend of mine wanted to know what I thought about it. Of course, I didn't tell him anything. I'm your friend."
Sarah looked at him with a contempt that would have made a decent man squirm with shame.
"You're worm, Tono," she said.
"That's not nice, Sarah. I've come to ask you to buy some antiques that any dealer would jump at."
"And I've told you I can't afford to buy them."
"But a man like Evers could."
"That's just about enough, Tono," said Sarah, and there was such a dangerous glint in her eyes that Tono almost jumped from his chair.
"All right," he said. "But I'll leave my card in case you change your mind."
Tono went off, and Sarah returned to her work in a thoughtful mood. Tono had tried to blackmail her. Would he try the same trick on Gordon?
Hector Calls on Sarah
GORDON never said anything to Sarah, but for some time his old would had been troubling him.
It caused faintness through affecting his heart, and more than once he nearly collapsed in the court. Hector Stribling, who had been giving him most of his briefs, got worried. One day in the barrister's robing-room he saw Gordon clutch at the table.
"What's the matter, old man?" said Hector.
"Oh, just the heat!" replied Gordon. "And this wig. Fancy having to wear a wig in August. What fiend ever invented wigs?"
"That arch-fiend Satan," said Hector. "He always had a sense of humour. But you've been working too hard."
"Well, you insisted on my returning."
"Yes. And I'm glad I did. Since your return you've been swining juries like a kid swings a garden gate. You'll be a judge yet."
"That will be something. I'll be able to get a sleep then."
Hector looked serious.
"What is the matter, Gordon?"
"Well, I've still got that bullet in me somewhere."
"Is it dangerous?"
"It doesn't improve my health."
"Why don't you see a doctor."
"I have. A specialist in Harley Street. He's taken an X-ray. I'll give you one of the photographs if they turn out all right.
The satirical note in Gordon's voice hurt Hector.
He had private information that Gordon was sure of a judgeship if he would give up his irregular life with Sarah. The appointment to judge would secure to Gordon the rest he so badly needed.
Sarah felt that Hector was the bearer of bad news the moment she saw his face.
"What is it Hector?" she asked. "Don't tell me you've come to ask me to do the interior decorating for that new country house you've bought."
"I want to talk to you seriously, Sarah. And please don't think I've come in the spirit of minding other people's business. But it's about you and Gordon."
"What about us?"
"I've been hearing things. It has been known for some time that he was going to be made a judge. But as things are now it looks as if that may not come off."
"I see. You mean me. Has Gordon said anything to you about it?"
"Not a word. You know Gordon."
"I suppose you mean I should stop seeing him?"
"I've give you the facts. I want you to act for yourself. Please don't think I mean to interfere."
"You needn't to apologise any more. I have never let Gordon down. You think I ought to leave him to save his professional career. I'll do it."
"I knew you would."
"You didn't. You've been worrying about it. But let me tell you this. I love him the way you do -- unselfishly. I'm going, but I don't want him to think I've made any sacrifice. I want him to think I've left him because I'm tired of him. You must stick by me in that."
"All right. And I think you're great, Sarah."
"I said the time for compliments had passed. Good-bye, Hector."
While this conversation was going on, Gordon was seeing a celebrated surgeon.
The specialist told him that he could not live more than two years.
"What about an operation to remove the bullet?" asked Gordon.
"The chances are a hundred to one against it being successful," said the specialist.
"All right. I'll let you know," said Gordon.
Hector called on Gordon that night and found him just entering his car.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To get drunk," replied Gordon blantly. "Get in. Read that."
He showed Hector a letter he had received from Sarah.
Hector read: "The time has come the walrus said."
"What does it mean?" asked Hector.
"It means that she doesn't want me any more."
Hector squirmed in his seat in the car.
"Just a minute, Gordon. I've got a confession to make. I got Sarah to write that note. I thought she was interfering with your chances of being made a judge. So because she loved you so unselfishly she said she would give you up."
"You blundering jackass!" said Gordon. "But you've given me an idea. I'm going to take a chance. The specialist told me that I can have an operation to remove that bullet, but the chances are a hundred to one against me coming out of the operation. Now I am going to take that chance. And if I get through I'm going to live happily ever after with Sarah. But don't you tell her anything."
Sarah had her bags packed to return to America when Mrs. Evers called on her.
"I know all about it, my dear," she said. "It's difficult for you, but I know you love Gordon. Why run away?"
"I'm running away to save his career."
"What can a career mean to Gordon if he's only got a year or two to live?"
"What?"
"I'm sorry, my dear. I thought you knew."
"Gordon told me nothing. Hector Stribling came to me and said I was stopping Gordon being made a judge. So I decided to leave him. Now if he's going to die, I'm going to stick to him to the end."
And so it was when Gordon came to consciousness after the operation he found Sarah bending over him.
"You must live for me," said Sarah. "I can't live without you."
"I'll try very hard," said Gordon.
And he came through to health.
Nobody never knew, but it was Mrs. Evers who persuaded Catherine to divorce her husband and leave a way to happiness to Gordon and Sarah.
(Adapted from incidents in the Radio photoplay, featuring Irene Dunne as Sarah and Clive Brooks as Gordon.)
(Picture Show, July 28th 1934)