The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-28
Two Hearts No Long
er Beat as One.
MARL0WEAND R
Domestic Sorrow Saddens a
Stage Romance.

Few Worcester people who had the
pleasure of seeing Julia Marlowe last
week at the Worcester theatre, realized
that the beautiful and talented young
actress who played the vivacious part
of Rosalind. conceals a domestic sorrow
and is unhappy in her married life.
When Julia Marlowe married her
leading man, Robert Taber back in
1894, the whole world hailed it as a per-
feet marriage. 1t seemed eminently
proper that two such finished actors,
both of refinement, good family, Gull
tured and Of spotless reputation, should
unite their lives and fortunes. Those
who had seen them act together were
pleased with the thought that their
fortunes and ambitions would now be
indissolubly united.
But what is the present situation?
Julia Marlowe is starring America,
having just scored to her credit one
more distinct hit by her new French
drama Colinette. Taber having been
greeted with adulation by English au-
d1ences after his hit in Peter. the Great,
In Henry lrving's company, and placed
by the critics in the first niche Of con-
temporary actors, is now lying in Lon
don i'll with the pleurlsy
1t Is a case of q loving couple sepa-
rated by rival ambitions. For two years
after their marriage the two continued
TO star together as before. But Taber's
reputation steadily grew. The finished
art OF the young American first ap-
pealed to the critics, then to the public
az large. The applause he gained riy-
aled that of his talented wife. Mana
gers began to observe this 1t became
evident that two stars Of such magni-
tude could not continue to follow the
same course. More money could be
made by dividing issues than by stay
ing together. Finally a manager made
Mrs. Taber a tempting offer But the
oHer did not include Mr. Taber She
hesitated. Finally she accepted. Taber
is said to have accepted the situation
sorroWfully. Nothing was available In
inns country. Aside from that he want
ed to get away as far as possible from
MS sorrow. So he boarded a steamer
and set sail for Europe
lie was fortunate enough to receive
an offer to play with Henry Irvine's
Lyceum company in the elaborate pro
auctions of Peter, the Great and Mac
peth' In both plays he was given splen-
dld opportunities, and in both he rose
| ~ thc OCIdSlOu IndBnJlCGntly,
But he derived little satisfaction from
his honors. His thoughts were with his
| Wlte across the water and or the happv
domestic life which could no longer he
mis-. Julia MarloWe on her part is said
to have called her life a failure, and
| 10 nave regretted the hard state
OF things brought about by the
demands OF unromantic, gain-seeking
managers.
Since their first separation, husband
| ana WIFE have met several times in
Paris during the summer months. when
theatres are closed But the old famil-
larlty does not exist. An estrangement
mas arisen between them Their aims
ana purposes are no longer one. Each
| is wrapped UP in his own ambitions.
Ihen, too, the life Of an important act
or has little leisure. The summer
months are devoted to preparing for
the ensuing season. Each summer
Mrs Taber makes a flying trio to
Paris, but has thought for scarcely
anything while there save the prep
aratlon of her stage costumes Taber
goes off to Switzerland with Irving. No
one now seeing the two together would
suspect that as Romeo and Juliet they
are unparalleled on any stage. In real
life their romance is as impossible of a
happy fulfilnent as is that of Shaks-
pere's lovers on the stage.
Robert Taber comes Of an excellent
New York family and was born on
Staten Island. He graduated from
Princeton and early showed an aptitude
for the stage by clever work in anna
teur theatricals. His debut was made
in the part of Silvius in LAS You Like
It," in one of Modjeska's benefits. He
played with Modjeska's company over
a year, leaving it to fill the position Of
leading man with Julia Marlowe's
company.
Julia MarIowe, whose real name is
Fanny Brough, was born in England.
Her family early came to America and
settled in Kansas, so by education she
is an American girl. She made her
first hit starring in 'Ingomar," at New
London, Conn. She attained recogni-
ton largely through the efforts of Col
Robert Ingerson, who preceded her
curiously enough last week at the Wor-
cester Theatre. Since then her rise has
been rapid, and she has starred con-
tinuously in variety Of productions.