Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-11
MRS. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.
Romantic Story Of Her Marriage b the IA
nous Novelist.

Romantic Story Of Her Marriage b the "a
nous Novelist.
From the Kansas City Times.
An official high in the employ Of the govern
ment said to me the other day: 1.-THE story Of
how Robert Louis Stevenson got his wife has
never been told in print, I believe. The story
sounds almost like chapter from novel, but
is, nevertheless, absolutely true in all its de-
tolls. p
''In 1885 I, q young man, became intimately
acquainted with Samuel g. Osborne, who was
then private secretary to Gov. Willard of Indi-
ana. Osborne was magnificent fellow in per-
sonal appearance and magnetism. He was YER
satile, scholarly, witty, quick as tine lightning 3
flash in repartee and fine musician. That man
could draw sweeter tones from flute than any
man l ever knew Well in 1853 Osborne mar
ried black-eyed Miss vandegrift; she was not
beautiful, by any means, but rather attractive.
At that time he was in the Office Of the reporter
Of the supreme court of indiana and was
making good money.
"In 1861 Jas. B. Beach, reporter Of the gu
preme court, and Osborne, both Of whom had
saved up few thousand Of dollars. started for
Arizona. Sam had his wife and two children, q
boy and girl, and he took them along. Ar
rived in Arizona Beach and Osborne bought a
mine with their savings and in about a month
were offered 800 900 in cash for their bonanza.
Beach wanted to hold on for q larger offer and
inside Of six weeks they could not sell it for q
dollar. Osborne headed for San Francisco and
reached the Golden Gate with 81 in his pocket
He knew good deal Of law and was q good
stenographer, one of the fastest in the country
at that time. This accomplishment stood him
in hand, for he was soon making lots Of money,
and sometimes he used to write to me he would
get q 900 for reporting single case. As years
went on the daughter and son grew up and were
sent abroad to finish their education. The son
went to England and the daughter to France.
The mother went to Europe and spent q season
or two with them.
The last time Mrs. Osborne went over was
in 1883, and then she met Robert Louis Steven
son-I believe it was in Paris. She at once
wrote back to her husband and told Of meeting
the literary genius and told Of an affection, she
had formed for him. Osborne evidently thought
this more than a merely platonic affection and
guess, had good reason to think so, for he
wrote her that If she loved Stevenson to come
back to Frisco and obtain divorce. She did
this, and rs soon as the divorce was granted the
invitations for her marriage to Robert Louis
Stevenson were sent out. The bridegroom was
in town during the divorce proceedings o.
borne was invited to the wedding and he &C.
faultlessly and having on his arm a lady Of rare
beauty. The wedding over the new Mrs
Stevenson introduced her new husband 70
her former one. and Osborne in turn repre-
seated the lady on his arm az Mrs. Samuel @.
Osborne! He had been married quietly to her
as soon as the divorce was granted. Osborne
would make no outward sign, but the episode
Stevenson to Samoa. have never heard from
Osborne since. The places and men that knew
him know him no more, and I do not know
whether he is living or dead"