The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-02

to sympathetic inquiries with trlfilng eX-
cuses and explanations. Once or twice,
however, the strain proved TO much for
her, and she broke out impulsively with
a confession That she was wretched I'M
happy. If she made further condolences
and unburdened more of her story, the
fact has not as yet come TO light. That
much, however, was no longer a secret.
1t came first hand TO two or three, and
they whispered it about 10 many. my
life is a failure" she had said, but those
words sometimes are slightly exaggerated
forms of speech.
Meanwhile condolences were made On the
other side Of the chasm. It was not long
after Julia Marlowe had started back on
her way to America that friends of Robert
Taber began to repeat what they had
heard. Another and greater rent was made
in the halo, and the unhappy truth be-
came plainly visible to those who were
near enough to see.
Robert Taber and Julia Marlowe have
both tasted applause and fed on it nber-
ally. They had grown accustomed to the
craving before they met each other, be-
fore their romance began. Then they were
thrown together, chance placed them in the
same company, their hearts called and
answered, and for a time all else was for
gotten in the overwhelming joy of mu-
tual love.
They united their fortunes and continued
to act. Day after day applause was wait
ing for them, to be struggled for and won.
They both struggled and won it, of course.
because they were excellent artists. But
the applause, naturally, took little account
of their marriage; it did not go out to
Julia MarloWe for work that Robert Taber
had done, and 1t did not ACCLAIM the hus-
band because the wife had touched all
hearts. It insisted on ignoring the union,
and obliged each talent and ambition to
fight and win for itself. 1t was happiness
for them to share all things, to unite
their successes and emotions then and al
ways.
This was the situation two years ago;
at least it was thus that Robert TaDer
for his part, saw it and felt it, if we are
to believe the condolences he made to his
friends. Such, too, was the impression Of
their admirers, the lookers-on of their
When the two came to New
York and played together in Bonnie
Prince Charlie at Wallack's Theatre their
opening performance had more the air of
a Social reception or fate than a theatrical
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taber ap-
pealed to the sympathies as united de-
voted, dignified young gan and wife quite
as much as they did through histrionic
ability.
When a statement appeared in print
to emanate from a theatrical
and declaring that their fnan-
cial value was impired by the union of
their names on the billboard, Robert Tab
er is said to have tossed it aside with
little flush of scorn. He imagined conf
IDENTIFY the discontinue of any phlegmatic
Spectator who should attempt TO tear
those names asunder.
Rumors, however, continued to appear
in print One day the announcement was
made officially that Mrs. Robert Taber
had signed a contract with a manager to
head a company <her own the following
season, and that she would resume her
maiden name for stage purposes and be
Julia Marlowe again.
The shrewd Spectator had made the
Ger, a flattering, tempting one and when
the wife reported it to her husband his
faith was crushed by her manner, which
revealed the truth with dazing force. She
showed unmistakable signs of citation at
the prospect of increasing her prestige.
and accepted apparently with equanimity
the advantages to be gained by untwining
her life from his The husband responded
as sensitive natures are apt TO do under
rob q a n
IN his throat, held back the burning tears
and congratulated her on her advancement
with full permission to do as she choose.
So it was that Mrs. Robert Taber went
put of existence and carried a paradise
with her from the heart and soul of man.
Julia Marlowe was heralded once more as
4 popular star a public idol, and Robert
Taber looked about him in search of en-
ployment.
Nothing very satisfactory offered itself
n America, and after a time he set sail
for London to seek his fortune there.
Henry Irving took him in at the Lyceum.
He got his opportunity in Peter the
Great and rose 10 1t beautifully. The
English press and the public hailed him
with unstinted praise. Forbes Robertson
selected the young American to second him
n his elaborate revival OF Macbeth" and
again he arose TO the occasion with a con-
spicuous personal success. Just recently
he was put at the head Of the new COM
1any a the London Lyseum, and expecta-
tons formed for another personal triumph
might now have been varified had not MS
sudden illness interviewed.
Julia Marlowe is the title role of Colin
atte." a centre Of undivided approval in
New York. and Robert Taber. the newest
star in the constellation Of London actor
may be the message the
cables viii carry back and forth ere long
Z all goes well. Each is fulfilling the
promise Of a brilliant career. shining N
their own light. with undispured posses
SION Of the centre of the stag.
But Julia Marlowe is wretchedly VI
happy, and Robert Taber. far away on
ais sick-bed. persists in believing that
hough his lips may utter pardon his heart
an never, never forgive.
julia Marlowe : now in her thirty-third
year and Robert Taber i just one year
older. That means that they are stiu very
-oung people. when their prominence in
he theatrical world Is borne in mind
Julia Msr,0we was born in England and +
Ter real name is Fanny Brough. Her +
parents came 70 America, however, and f.
etcled in Kansas. whsnshe was very !
-oung. - II Is excusable 20 regard her a. /
IN American girl. Her taste for the stage /
WINGED itself when she was stu a mere 4