The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-11-04
A WR0NGED WOMAN.
THE TRUE STORY OF MRS. LANGIRY'S
UNHAPPY aIAHRIAGE

goodbye and give hel"coulpSo' HnionS
those present was Henry Irving, who
said to her at parting, "God' speed you'
Mrs. Lanetry, and bring you safe i'll re-
turning. I hope we shall sec you very
soon again."
"Perhaps before you think" WAS the
answer. eff they greet me as they did
before-I'm coming home and shall give
it up"
This little speech, with its half-hearted
laugh, was the most pathetic bit Of her
self and of her i!o that Lille Laugtry
has ever given to any one It meant
much, and it conveyed more, perhaps,
to those present than it possibly could
have to any ono else, for they knew her
bettor and the life she has endured.
With heightened interest, every word
by cable and otherwise that forctold the
reception to be given Mrs. Langtry by
the American press has been watched for
eagerly by many anxious friends, by one
or two intimate friends in particular.
To-day word has come which seems to
prove beyond q doubt that the mean at
tacks OF previous years have omitted and
that tho unhappy woman is being for
gotten In the actress. 1t is grateful news
to Mrs. Langtry's friends, although the
cruelty Of the past can never be forgiven.
They wonder, AM with much reason,
If the American press knew the woman
whom they hbclled, even by sight. 1t
does not seem us il it were possible that
they could know even as much Of her as
this and say, even for money, or for
vengeance, or for petty professional sue
cess, the things some OF them. said.
'One OF Mrs. L&ngtry's closest and
most intimate friends is II literary woman
of position, of undoubtcd honesty and
virtue, and of unorr;ng insight into
human nature. From her comes abso-
lutte confirmation OF these facts Of Mrs.
Langtry's life. | send them to the
Graphic because believe you are the
one Of all the New York editors who
q never fails to recognize und~ give due
credit to an honest woman. I want your
readers to know a side OF one 'woman's
nature as it is surely not known in
America.
If were to go into details Tie details
might be disputed. l will state nothing
but facts which bear witnessto their own
truth--simply those absolute necessary
for conference.
Lille Langtry was married at the age
Of ten. She had been brought up very
quietly, but still, as many girls are, with
the idea that sure happiness lay only
where there is money. When Mr.. Lang
try admired her and asked hcr hand in
marriage the one main thought in the
child's mind was her brother. This lad
she was particularly fond of, and when
she become sure that it lay III her power
to educate the boy and have him always
with her she accepted the offered mar
nage. From the day of her marriage to
the present time it is doubted if Mrs.
Langtry ever saw her husband free for
an hour from the effects of liquor. For
q time there was It comparatively happy
life, yachting and flying about, but it
was little happiness and Of small dura-
tion.
Soon came the death of her brother.
lie was killed by a fall during hunt.
Then the facts lay before her. She
had made the sacrifice for nothing. To
please her family, to have her brother
with her, ard to do for him what his
people could not do, this girl, this almost
child, had thrown herself away. Abso-
lutely and in every way it was COM
plete sacrifice. Her husband was hope
less drunkard, bcastly drunkard. In
tho three years that she had then been
married ho had never approached her
with one word or action of the lover or
OF husband. She simply bore the name
Of wife, and the disgrace of being yoked
to man who was physical wreck and
confirmed drunkard.
What wonder is it that social triumphs
hnnoTnn flnor. what Xvpn1or t1oE EI,o .,.o
and America seemed to offer release to
q woman acknowledged to be the most
beautiful woman in England? Small
wonder, indeed.
But what did this unhappy woman get
for her endeavor to honestly put her
talents to account and to earn for herself
an honest living?
What, indeed, but calumniatiOn, scan
dial, lies, unhappiness, misery and Rbso-
lutte terror! Nothing from the world.
From one man she got q quiet, earnest
devotion, that in three years has never
failed to be comfort to her, which she
has never failed to honor
Did 1T bring n,Ny respect for her? In
stead it brought Gown upon her head re-
doubled insult, more determined out
rage, and meanCr, more contemplate
lies. She, whose only sin lay in the fact
that, being bound by law to man who
had absolutely never claimed her as his
wlfe, permitted tho devotion of man
VINO would gladly have given her his
name--she, whose only sin was this, was
f3 treated as Magdalon, as an outcast
world be treated.
10 Americans and American newsDa
per men ever think of this, ont side ~
the story? DO they ever think Chat !,
all thes6year they cannot put a fngo5
on Il person who ever heard this woHor
say one word against her besottod hSs
band? DO they know that her Sonn+, t',
supports him? Do they eyer think thSy
it was hard thing to be ono wo,n", S,,',
standing alone and being stoned by thu
entire population of a country l;h' '
America? Did they ever think of M t%|
bravery, Of the wOmanliness and of th,
unhinching courage of q woman thu
could hear and sec and know all thes,
things said of her and never even to he
friends, complain of the wounds in
hictedT Do you suppose that any in
oinniFpoTt 1NoItn Crl.o1Nh r,y,itn4 4