The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-14

friends were convinced that her marriage
was one of the many failures history rs so
busily repeating, and the brilliant woman,
whose exceptional genius was by this time
acknowledged freely enough, evoked the
keenest sympathy from those who knew her
and who realized her unhappiness.
The Virginia woman rarely complains OF
her marital disappointments, more rarely
still does she seek TO evade the response
bilties of the for betSar, for worse or
the marriage contract Alnelie ChanleT was
and Is a typical Virginia woman There
could be no anguish more exquisite than
life with a man who had not realized TINS
girls ideal, who was simply out of harmony
with her own nature. 1t was not nature
to adapt itself the womans personality
was too strong: she could not be changed
She knew it, and it is an actual fact, al
though not of public record, that Amene
Rives knew before she had been married
three months of her mistake ana that sne
religiously endeavored to prevent every one,
including her husband, from sharing her
knowledge.
Rives Chanler wrote According to st.
John" a short novel, for which she re-
ceived more than $1,000 When THIS pook
was written its author was an utterly nope
less woman. Mr.. Chanler became aware or
his wfe's real feeling about this time Ihere
was no quarrel; there never has been There
was a tremendous sacrifice, great renun-
citation, and then there was the almost
unique spectacle of man courageous
enough to look the situation in the face,
and, weighing it carefully, decided that the
woman was not to blame; that II was on her
part an honest mistake; on his, perhaps,
fools paradise, but, in any case, the woman
was guiltless, and with a courage so unique
that it seems incredible, John Armstrong
Chanler resolved to help the wife who was
wretched with him to be happy away from
him.
This is the true story of the Rives- -Chanler
separation. Mrs. Chanler came to TINS
country, the divorce was secured by com
mon consent-indeed, the attorney acting
for Mrs. Chanler was her husbands part
ner. There were no charges, no grounds,
save incompatibility. The divorce was OBJ
tanned with refreshing decency, and Amelle
Chanler was permitted to resume her maid
en- name of Amelie Rives. year before
the divorce proceedings Mrs. Chanler visit
ed the Princess TroubetZkoy. in Milan; AT
that time she met Prince Pterrl IrouDetz-
koy, man who comes apparently nearer
her ideal, both in appearance and character
than any other. He is magnificent looking
fellow six feet two inches in height, of
splendid physique, handsome race, ana
with a strong, sweet nature. His tastes
are all artistic, and he is a painter of no
mean record.
There is no question that the pain. were
instantly attracted to each other, and 1t IS
possible that Amelie Chanler now acqu1-
esces in the divorce which she refused 10
apply for two years before when MI Cnan-
Ter suggested it, because of this man. II
she did she was the woman to frankly tell
her husband the truth and there are those
who honor her for her courage. One thing
is certain, Prince TroubetZkoy, unlike the
modern type of lover, religiously kept away
from Amelie Chanler until she was free
woman, and then he came, and shortly
after they were married. In writing to a
Prince Troubetzkoy. the princess says, with
the charming directness OF the Ameiie
Rives of ten years ago: MY happiness is
indeed now complete.