 Remember, a Hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best. The speakers of Hallmark Reading Cards bring you Jane Wyman in Muriel Elwood's Web of Destiny on the Hallmark Playhouse. Hallmark will bring you Hollywood's greatest stars in outstanding stories chosen by one of the world's best-known authors, the distinguished novelist, Mr. James Hilton. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is James Hilton. Tonight on our Hallmark Playhouse we present the dramatization of a novel by Muriel Elwood called The Web of Destiny. The history of North America during the years when our nation was in process of being fashioned is the history of countless brave men and women whose names have never gotten to history, and the people in Ms. Elwood's story are like that. Against its background of Canada during the struggle of the French for that country, it tells a moving and dramatic tale. It also highlights for us the problems and troubled allegiances of those days when the United States was an idea almost but not quite born in the hearts of its people. To star in the leading role tonight we have chosen that fine actress, deservedly an Academy Award winner, and so happily one of our old Hallmark friends, Ms. Jane Wyman. And now here is Frank Martin from the Makers of Hallmark Cards. When you want to remember your friends there's one way to be sure the card you send receives an extra welcome. Look for that identifying Hallmark on the back when you select it. For words to express your feelings and designs to express your good taste, that Hallmark on the back is your guide. Like the Sterling on silver, it's a mark of distinction that all quickly recognize. And it tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. And now Hallmark Playhouse presenting Muriel Elwood's Web of Destiny starring Jane Wyman. It always seemed to Nancy that the year 1759 was full of events that she couldn't control. Its days would always seem like a web woven close about her, a web of destiny. The year of war between France and England, a sad year for my father and me, who had both French and English blood in our veins. By birth we were English though and lived in the English settlement of Albany. When spring came my father accepted a post as doctor of Port William Henry and we left Albany. I rode with my father towards the fort thinking, is it possible that we're at war? Never has the world seemed so beautiful before, so full of promise, so full of hope. I rode with my father through the spring time seeing life, blood and blossom on all sides of me. I rode beside my father through life into Fort William Henry and death. Indian followers attacked at dawn. By sundown the fort had been captured. I sat where my father was dying with a gun in my lap. Nancy. Yes father. Its, so still the battle is over. Yes father. We lost. Yes. You must get back to Albany as quickly as you can. There's plenty there in the house. Your uncle John will help you. Can I help you, Mademoiselle? You keep away from us, you French barbarian. My dear Mademoiselle, you do not seem to realize a fort is surrendered. Kindly hand me the gun. I said keep away from me. If you will quit brandishing that gun at me, I'll take a look at that man. Don't go near him. Haven't you done enough already? Nancy, my child, let me speak to him. He's one of the French father. Sir, will you help me? Father. In any way I can. My daughter will be alone in this wilderness. Will you help her return to Albany? If she'll let me. My name is William Walker. I'm a doctor from Albany. William Walker? Of Albany? Yes. My name is Philippe Corvi-Boisin of Montreal. And of God's in this. The Corvi-Boisin of Montreal. Nancy. This young man is your cousin. My cousin? Shocking, is it not, Mademoiselle? To find yourself related to the French barbarians? Thank you. Help her protect. Thank you. Again I rode through the springtime. William Henry at my back. And the knowledge that my father slept and would not awake him. Philip did his best to keep my thoughts occupied. I am not actually your cousin, you know, in the most literal sense of the word. I was adopted, but the Corvi-Boisin has raised me as their own son. Then you are my cousin. By the choice of your adopted father. Yes, that is so. And we will assume you have Montreal. I cannot wait to see a great-grandma's face when she sees you. To have a great-grandchild turned up unexpectedly is a great event. To find a great-grandmother is a great event. And cousins that I scarcely knew existed. I think I can safely say that finding this particular cousin is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. You smiled. He held out his hand. I took it. I could think or ask, is there someone else? I took his hand and for the rest of the long afternoon felt of what the future might be. We arrived in Montreal late that night. At the home of the French great-grandmother I did not know existed a few weeks before. Uh-huh. My child, my child. Is it true? My son's grandchild. All can face up to the light, my child. Yes. Yes. Hungry eyes. And he smiles. And he smiles. Oh, God is good. God is good. Gramer, let me introduce Nancy to Father. Oh, no, no, no. I will do it. Paul, this is the grandchild of my dear love son who has come home to me. Welcome, my child. You say you pronounce the ad-void William Ray, Philip. Yes, gramer. Then there are statues here in Montreal. Is that of a prisoner of war? I'm afraid it is. All wars end in time. These two shall pass. If Nancy is a war prisoner, I'm afraid the government here will want her help for handsome. When the bargaining is completed, she must return to Albany. No. She must stay here with us. Now that we had signed her, she must remain with us. Do you hear, Paul, Philip? She must remain. Oh, don't worry, gramer. We'll find a way. Of course, we'll find a way. If Nancy wishes it. I do wish it. I wish it very much. I will go and find into summer, and the warmth of my newfound family eased the coldness inside me. And the raw memories of war and death began to heal. Philip was a captain in the French army. I watched him come and go, waited for his footsteps, listened for his voice, wondered if he was feeling any of the things I was feeling, and if he would ever speak. And then, one afternoon, in the garden a woman entered and my dreams came crashing down around me forgive me for intruding I didn't realize anyone was in the garden it was such a lovely day I thought I would wait out here for Philip to come down I am Mary the shampoo Phillips fiancee Phillips fiancee yes I'll just return from France you're the little English cousin from Albany aren't you I'm Phillips cousin from Albany how is it that no one has arranged the ransom for you you must be anxious to return to your own home I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to excuse me the sun seems to have given me a headache and in any case I'm sure you want to talk to Philip alone as you wish I'm going in the house Philip your fiancee is waiting in the garden Nancy wait a minute Nancy I went into the house I closed the door between us and I closed the door upon my dreams I told myself it was not Phillips fault why should he have mentioned his engagement to me how could he know that I had been foolish enough to fall in love with a man who had spoken no word of love no Philip did not know but Marie de Chambon knew she knew in the garden I was positive of that a few days later when Philip's father called me into the library Nancy I'm afraid I have bad news what is it Uncle Paul I have received orders from the governor of the colony that you must be placed in a convent until the war is over placed in a convent we a convent in Quebec I'm afraid the governor is giving us no choice Nancy could Marie de Chambon have had anything to do with this ah Marie is related to the governor I see why should she care where I am she's engaged to Philip she has nothing to fear from me perhaps she has more to fear than either you or Philip realize what's a Philip seemed ended as far as I was concerned I was determined however that Marie de Chambon should not win a complete victory she was not going to have me placed in any convent in Quebec I walked my room from dark until dawn trying to arrive at a plan to outwit her finally I thought of Andre another cousin of Phillips Andre who knew the trails of the wilderness and might be able to help me when morning came I mounted my horse and rode to his home the first chill of autumn was in the air spring and summer were gone and I was glad both had brought death in different forms Andre opened the door and I went in to ask a greater favor than I knew you want to run away and you want me to help you that is what it comes down to is it not Nancy yes Andre that's just about what it comes down to will you help me will you take me to Albany you have talked to grandpa Paul about it not about my plans no he has to obey the Governor-General it's better that he doesn't know then they can't say that he had any part in this will you help me Andre Nancy I would do anything I can to help you but it is a long trip and a very dangerous one but you think it can be done perhaps after the first snowfall we could travel safely by or since then will you do it will you help me Andre we can try Nancy we can only try Andre and I made very careful plans during the weeks that followed Phillips grandfather promised the governor that I would leave for Quebec right after Christmas I waited for the snows to come with both a nation and sadness they came early that year and at last the day came when Andre and I were to leave I was waiting for him at the door when Philip came down Nancy good morning Philip Nancy you were hardly spoken a word to me for weeks I would like to talk to you I'm sorry Philip Andre is going to take me for a sleigh ride he'll be here any more what is wrong Nancy why nothing Philip what would be wrong I thought that we were friends oh Andre's arriving I must go perhaps we can have a talk when you return from your eye goodbye Philip I walked across the snow covered porch and got into the sled I saw Philip watching from the window and tears burnt inside me and then Andre whipped the horses and we started toward Albany the journey was a blur of snow and trees and hills and valleys it was completely uneventful until we entered the Mohawk country and then the effect that a man is rich only in his friends and there's another old saying that tells you to have a friend be a friend in the days when these epigrams were familiar home mottos it took quite a bit of effort to be a friend you would help build a friend's house help harvest his crop and maybe even help him fight off Indian raids nowadays our friends seldom need our physical help but in the strain and tension of modern life the need for showing friendship is perhaps greater than ever and if you haven't already discovered this fact for yourself you'll find hallmark cards are a big help you don't have to wait for special occasions throughout the year or write a lengthy letter to let your friends know you're thinking of them you can do it in a beautiful and gracious manner by sending a hallmark card you'll find there are hallmark cards just to say hello to a friend you haven't seen recently ones to fill the interval between letters one to say wish I could see you in fact you'll always find as a hallmark card that says just what you want to say just the way you want to say it and remember that hallmark on the back gives added meaning it says you cared enough to send the very best and now back to James Hilton and the second act of web of destiny starring Jane Wyman see it would always seem that those days of the year 1759 were like a web woven ever closer about her a web of destiny twice during the year she had felt a paralyzing fear fear of Indians on the warpath once during the spring when she saw her father killed again during the winter when she and Andre were captured on the road to Albany when the Indians attacked I thought we would be slain at once instead they tied our hands behind our back and made us walk the remainder of the icy miles to Albany I was taken to Sir William Johnson the head of the English forces but Andre because he was French remained a Mohawk prisoner of war despite my pleas Sir William refused to intercede and I was sent home my uncle John had taken over my father's house he was not very happy to see me well I must say this is an unexpected surprise I thought you and your father were killed at Fort William Henry and now I find you returning to my house this isn't your house it was my father's and now it's my let me remind you something young lady your father is dead and as his older brother and only relative I'm your guardian and responsible for you you are not my guardian I am of age and perfectly able to control my own affairs you are without a doubt the most impertinent and badly brought up girl I've ever known this argument is completely pointless Uncle John I've always told you that this house is my home and I intend to live here if you wish to remain that is up to you but you will remain only in the clear and complete understanding that I'm the mistress of this house you are my guest not my guardian we shall see about that but you can do anything you want about it that's the way it is and that's the way it's going to be yes I come to see miss Nancy miss Nancy is not at home to an Indian an Indian yes I have message from Andre what is it he said to tell you he's safe now he home he's home he's safe he home now thank God the winter months passed in cold unhappy days I spent them getting my house in order again quarreling bitterly with my uncle and at last having the satisfaction of seeing him pack and leave and then it was spring again spring came but the chill of winter still held my emotions I spout and I had little heart for spring or even life itself and then one morning there was a knock at the door and when I opened it the Indian who had come before stood there again he handed me a note from Andre I see dear the bearer of this note is chief the very dear friend whom you can place implicit trust our great grand mayor is dying and repeatedly ask for you if it is at all possible for you to arrange to join the party that may be coming here could you do so and grant the last wish of a very old lady I held the note in my hand thinking fast I said to the Indian at last miss your auntie says that you are an old friend I am blood brother to must share andries father I claim andry from Mohawk I take him home could you possibly take me to Montreal I take you come in I can be ready in a few moments so once again I traveled through the springtime back to Montreal back to my great-grandmother back to Philip I tried to push the thoughts of Philip from me as the miles shortened between Albany and Montreal but it was impossible impossible to do I knew he was probably married now but still the thought of seeing him again pushed all other thoughts aside and at last I stood beside my great-grandmother's bed at long last I stood beside her bed and Philip stood next to me I thought my eyes would never look upon you again I'm sorry I'm sorry I had to leave as I did I missed you and Philip I missed you have you not really very much very much indeed I imagined Philip has had a good deal to keep him occupied but not as much as you might think but Philip is engaged engaged now he broke her engagement last winter she recognized that I was in love with someone else she was not wrong Nancy I don't know how you feel the last weeks were with us you seem to hate me if I seem to hate you it was only because I loved you don't you understand that I only understand I love you with my whole heart will you do me the very great honor of becoming my wife that is not what you should say Nancy you have got I think I know what to say now grommet you see I've said these words to myself so many times during the past month not that I ever thought I'd have the chance to say them but I hoped I would not see Philip I love you with my whole heart I shall consider it a great honor to be your wife Philip and I were married as I stood beside him in the chapel I thought spring has at last fulfilled its promise now life begins now love begins the world begins and whatever web it was that brought us to this moment brought us through unhappy tragic terrifying days to a beautiful destiny such was the web fate will for us in the year 1759 such was our web of destiny you know when you stop to think about it a greeting card is quite a bit different from most of the things you buy you never buy one for yourself it's always for other people yet the card you select represents you to your friends and loved ones it carries your thoughts and feelings as if on a magic carpet takes you visiting across the miles across the years often merely across the way this is why the makers of hallmark cards consider the message on every greeting card so very important why you can always find a hallmark card that seems to have been written especially for you one that says what you want to say just the way you want to say it because hallmark cards can always be sent with pride and are always received with pleasure discriminating people have come to look for hallmark on the back of any card they send or receive they know that hallmark means you cared enough to send the very best here again is James Hilton just quite like a little times to have you with us again on the whole mark playhouse tonight Jane thank you for a grand performance I'm so glad you liked it mr. Hilton somehow you seem to get such interesting stories on the hallmark playhouse the roles are always a challenge and that's always exciting to an actress next time I see if we can't work in a song for you on our story Jane because after hearing you sing with Bing in your new picture I'm sure your public will want you to do the same thing again well I like to sing but do you know what my favorite hobby is mr. Hilton now I'll surprise you and say yes I do because I've seen some of your paintings Jane and they're good thank you but you know the real reason I brought this up was because as a lover of art I appreciate the beautiful artwork of your hallmark cards the colors are lovely and the reproductions from original paintings are always true to the color and tones of the original well thank you Jane that's a compliment we're proud of and now I'd like to tell you and our audience our plans for next week our story will be Bellamy Partridge's country lawyer which tells how a young man began his law practice in the small American town at the turn of the century a story full of warmth and humor and as our star we are especially lucky for we have that delightful Hollywood actor Fred McMurray our hallmark playhouses every Thursday our producer director is Bill Gay our music is composed and conducted by David Rose and our script tonight was adapted by Jean Holloway until next Thursday then this is James Hilton saying good night remember a hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best Jane Wyman may soon be seen in the wall production the blue veil and RKO release the role of Philip tonight was played by Whitfield Connor others in our cast were Virginia Greg Jean Tatum Ted Osborne Ben Wright Ted DeCorsia and Charlie Lawn this is Frank Markham saying good night to you all until next week at this same time when hallmark playhouse returns to present Fred McMurray in Bellamy Partridge's country lawyer and the week following Isabelle Dick's Wild Orchard starring Anne Blyth and the week after that George Bernard Shaw's casual Byron's profession on the hallmark playhouse this is KMBC Kendrick