The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-11-03
A WR0NGED WOMAN.
TIE TRUE STORY OF MRS. LANGTRY's
UNHAPPY MARRIAGE

America suppct was given her by a few
Of those who knew her best to bid hcl
goodbye and give her courage. Among
those present was Henry Irving, who
said to her at parting, "God speed you,
Mrs. Langtry, and bring you safe in ro.
turning. hope we Shall see YOU very
soon again"
perhaps before you think was The
answer. eff they greet me as they did
bcfore-Im coming homo and shall give
it up"
This little speech, with its half-hcartcd
laugh, was the most pathetic bit OF her
self and of her lite that Lille Langtry
has ovcr given to any one. 1t meant
much, and it conveyed moro, perhaps,
to those present than it possibly could
have to any ono else, for they knew her
better and the ifc she has endured.
With heightened interest, every worti
by cable and otherwise that forotold 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 i'll particular.
To-day word has come which seems to
prove beyond doubt that the mean Mt
taclSs OF previous years have omitted and
that the unhappy woman is being for
gotten IN the actress. 1t is grateful news
to Mrs. Iangtry's friends, although the
cruelty of tho past can never be forgiven.
They wonder nj with much reason.
Il tho AmcI'" prG5s know the woman
whom they lied, even by sight. 1t
does not seup 81, Z were possible that
they could krv ven 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 J.amg!rya closest and
most intimate friends is litcraly woman
of position, of lmdouhtcd hon, ly and
virtue, and OF lmerrng irsiq into
huIlan nature. From her comes ALSO
lutte confirmation Of these facts OF .lrs.
Langtry's life. | scuG 'luu .u ,c
Graphic because ] believe ,v .r. a..
one Of all the New Yorl
never fails to recognize at
credit to an honest woman.
readers to know side Of ,
nature as it is surely not pru.
America.
If | were to go into details IT,; lc-.i,"
might be disputed. I will state notkr E:
but facts which bear witness to thor own
truth-simply those absolute Necessary
for cohercnc,.
Lille Langtry was married a. the age
of ten. She had been brought u5 very
Quietly, but still, rs many girls arc, with
the idea that sure happiness lay only
wnerc there is money. When liz Lang
try admired her and asked hcr hand in
marriage the QUO 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
riago. From the Gay of her marriage to
the present time it is doubted If Mrs.
Langtry ever saw her husbnud free for
an hour from the effects Of liquor. For
time there was Il comparatively happy
life, yachting and flying about, but it
was little happiness and OF small duM-
ton.
Soon came the death OF her brother.
He was killed by fall during n hunt.
Then the facts lay before her. She
had made the sacrifice for nothing. 70
please her family, 10 have her brother
with her, and to do for him What his
people could not do, this girl, this almost
child had thrown herself away Abso-
lutcly and in every way it was IL com
plote sacrifice. Her husband was hope
less drunkard, u bcastly drunknrd In
the three years that she had then been
married he 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
a confirmed drunkard.
What wonder is it that social tliumphs
became dear; what wonder that the stage
and America seemed 10 oilUr release to
n woman acknowledged TO be the most
beautiful woman i'll England? Small
wonder, indeed
But what did this unhappy woman get
for her endcavor 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 sbso-
lutte terror Nothing from the world
From one man she got quiet, earnest
devotion, that IN three years has never
failed to be cor fort to her, which she
has never fG II honor!
Did it bri' ny respcct for her? In
stead it broug o n upon her head re-
doubled insu. more determined out
rage, and mcancr, more contemplate
lies. She, whose only sin lay in the fact
that, being bound by law to a man vino
had absolutely never claimed her rs his
wife, permitted the devotion OF a man
who would gladly have given her hiH
name--she, whose only sin was this, was
treated as a Magdalen, as an outcGs,
would be treated.
DO Americans and American noHspa.
per mon ever think OF this ont side d.
the story? Do they ever t'iu'- tha s.
all these years they cannot pr n.n
ON o person who ever heard this wol
say one word against her beeot'"3 lr
band2 Do they know that her oorl.t
supports him? DO they ever thiAk iaa'
it was hard thing 10 be one woman
standing alone and being stoned by tnc