Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-22

had fallen deeply in love with her. He
WAS at her side.
You VIII not listen TO me- he said. Il
am young, unknown. The men who pay
you court are distinguished. famous. Mon
Dieu If fame would only come TO me-.
Her First Escapnde.
"Bien" Dettina answered. "MSien I
shall make you famous"
J. She rose il her chair.
Listen" she cried. This gentleman
Will drink my health md a health TO fame
4 silence hushed the party. In twink
ling she had taken off her satin slipper,
filled ii With champagne and handed II 10
the young Frenrhman.- He drank biushinS
crimson in his embarrassment. Bettlnl
snatched the slipper from him and drained
another Health. The episode became pun
lie. 1t was talked of from one end of the
country to the other. The family hastily
left White Sulphur and returned TO their
home 1t was Bettina's first disSraceftl
sensation.
The slipper scandal made Bettina ordwaF
famous, and She seemed to glory in the no
toriety she had achieved. Life began Il last
and furious pace with her from that time
on. She met Arthur Padeiford.
PaGeiford was the scion of Il dlStin-
Suished Maryland family. and only son and
heir of one of Baltmore's weaiihiest men
lie was infatuated as others had been. and
he came at = time when the novelty OF
gay society had worn off for Bettina, and
she sighed for change So she married
him. The wedding took place at St johns
church in Washington. 1t was L social
function where all of the best set We're
.l,n,J
Now she will settle down and become
commonplace they said
The Padelfords took their wedding trip
in the Old World. II was a glorious honey
moon for young Pidelford. His pretty
wife. satisfied with the change that comes
in travelling from place to place, craved 10
other excitement They were happy to-
gether. and remained wandering over Eu-
rope. year after their marriage 4 child
WAS born in Vienna. 1t seemed that Bet
tina Padelford must lose her life in giving
it birth. But the mother lived and the
child lived. but happiness had departed
from The husband and wife.
Love Turned 10 Hate.
1t is said by the gossips that in the fear
of death the wife told. Padclford something
of her past life that changed his worship
TO contempt. his love to hate. He left her
in Vienna, returning TO this country. The
wife stayed abroad. Her name was con-
nected with that of Carl Streitmann, the
grand opera tenor. Then came Padelfords
divorce, which WAS not contested. Bettina
swore that the rumored confession was Il
lie, told by her husband and swore to re-
vengc herself. She was ostracised by
ciety. She resolved to bring disgrace upon
her husbands honored name.
surprised as society had been, it received
he .ty Il.lrp pI
announcement that Bettina Ordway was to
go upon the stage IN comic opera. and that
her stage name would be Bettina Padel-
ford. Her real name had been Elizabeth,
and she had been called Betty, but she
had changed the name to Bettina when
still d young girl. Her success as an actress
was immeu!ate. In her debut she shared
the honors with Henry DiXey, and 1t was
prophesied that brilliant career was still
waiting for the wild girl. who. before she
was %. had shocked two continents and
made herself an outcast.
Mr.. Padelford sent his lawyers TO get an
agreement from Bettina to adopt another
name. She had married man named
Gerard, and she used this on the bills Mr.
Padelford paying $4,000 in cash for the
followed man; age and marriage followed
divorce. She was separated from Gerard
and married Jack RaffaiI, tenor. who
had been stabbed nearly to death a few
months before by Robert Monroe.
Husband Follows Husband.
became the wife of John Harrison Wolff,
an actor. Then soon she tired and chose
William Beach. aonther actor. 1t was as
Mrs Beach that she figured as co-respon-
dent in the divorce suit of Mrs. Philip
Schuyler. When it had ended. Beach was
divorced, and Bettina Ordway- Gerard Raf-
fail-Bcach added Schuyler to her names
She changed from company to company:
her fast life and moral depravity We're
an annuity of sl.Oos for life TO leave the
country. She went to London with Schuy-
Ter and collapsed physically when she made
her debut Then she joined the chorus in
London and soon was back again in Amer
lea: She was placed in Il private sani-
tarium for the morphine and liquor habits.
papers. She left the institution :. few
months ago and disappeared from public
view.
The world heard a few weeks ago that
Bettina Gerard was in Bellevue hospital.
poor. friendless and close TO death The
doctors said that the chance for life WAS
as one in Il hundred and it was published
far and wide that Il strange, eventful, fate
full life was at its closing chapter.
General Ordway. Mrs. Ordway and little
Miss Padelford, Bettina Gerard's daughter,
were in Europe. They returned to this city
on the steamer Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse
Tuesday.
1t was known that in view of Bettina's
precarious condition, Il reconciliation and.
perhaps, repentance might be effected.
Mrs. Ordway was told that she might ind
her daughter when she wished at Belle
Vue. and since Tuesday Bettina has been
expecting the arrival of her mother
The Reconciliation.
The poor pitiful wreck of what had once
been beautiful Bettina Ordway lay proppcd
upon the pillows on the little bed in Town
send cottage. of Bellevue. hospital Wednes-
day afternoon. the streets not whittier than
her bloodless face. yet her deep eyes agIow
with the old-tiine fire as she waited expect
antly for her mothers coming. For years
they had not met. And coming with her
the sick woman knew would he her child
who was a baby when they kissed good-by
the daughter of Arthur Padelford her first.
and. without doubt. her best loved husband
Bettina had attred herself in her bravcst
array for their welcome.
Mrs. Ordway was driven from her hotel
TO the hospital in a closed carriage Or.
duct her. When she reached Bellevue
there were traces of weeping. but she pulled
her veil closely over her face. and. taking
her little granddaughter. Padeiford. by the
hand. followed the doctor up the steps.
The mother and child of Bcttina Gerard
waited in the narrow hallway: while Or.
He dismissed The nurse and usherinS Mrs.
Ordway and the little girl in. shut the door.
hut not before he had heard Bettina's glad
cry of JOY her effort 10 reach her child
Ways embrace.
Mrs. ordway was nearly prostratcd by
refused to so. but his wife went with his
consent and approval. knowing that much
depended on her visit. He was overcome
when told OF the reconciliation.
\" he Bettinn Ordway Again.
Ecttina Gerard or SCHUYLER or, as she will
probably become again, Eettina Ordway.
was better after the meeting than she has
been mt amy time since she entered the
hospital The doctors say that never has
she been so light-heartcd-so fun of life
the attendants. Il am going back home.
am going to be good woman and live