The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-29

cess. Every day found her at his studio.
He sought her advice and profited by 1t.
They passed their summers at various
places, always together, and no couple
was reckoned happier than Artist Crane
and his wife.
Meantime Annie Brainerd was fast de-
veloping. At 13 years there was not
more beautiful child in New York. The
affection that had always existed be-
tween Annie Brainerd and her step
father had ever been a source Of delight
to the mother That anything evil could
grow out of it was not considered for an
Instantly the mother.
Others were more observant, however,
and they saw what the mother did not.
They saw that the love of the girl for
her stepparent was not that which the
mother could indorse. A friend intimated
as much to Mrs. Crane one day. She
had such supreme confidence in her hus-
band and so much love for her daughter
that she would not heed the warning.
The love of the stepdaughter for her ar
tist stepfather became more apparent TO
everybody but the mother, and again
friends warned her This time Mrs. Crane
laughingly assented to separate them.
She would send her daughter abroad.
few years in Europe would benefit her
anyway And, again, the fond wife and
doting mother was supremely happy.
Affectionate letters passed between
mother and daughter. If similar letters
passed between stepfather and step
daughters Mrs. Crane was none the
wiser.
Presently Annie Brainerd returned from
her European visit. She was hand"
sonier and more attractive than ever Mrs.
Crane was very proud of her daughter.
Annie went to visit her grandparents in
| Troy. One day letter from the girl
Intended for the artist fell into Mrs
Cranes hands. 1t confirmed the reports
that had been brought to her by 1rlenos'
| but which she had steadfastly refused TO
believe It showed that even then a plan
: to elope was being arranged between her
husband and her daughter. The shock
was maddening She sought Crane and
accused him of his perfidy. He denied 1t.
He did not know that she had the proof
in her daughters letter. When confront
ed with this he ceased his denials. Mrs.
Crane left her home. She instituted suit
for divorce in New York.
Even then her pride would not permit
her to set forth in her petition all of the
horrible details. So little was stated
that the court refused her petition on
the ground that there was 'collusion."
Meantime Crane had gone to Dakota and
| filed suit for divorce. Mrs. Crane fol-
| lowed and filed cross bill. The decree
was granted her and she was awarded
alimony.
Bruce Crane won the prize of distinc.
ton at the Louisiana Purchase EXPOSE
ton On the day that the award was
made public, and he was officially desig-
mated as the leading American artist. he
and his step-daughter were married in
New York.
| At that time Mrs. Crane was in st.
| Louis During the years that she had
been married to Crane her wealth had
been dissipated, and she was thrown on
her own resources. She accepted COM
mission from a New York publication to
write a series of articles on tho World s
Fair and had not left St. Louis when
| the two announcements were printed in
the same edition Of the newspapers.
| Mrs. Crane left few days ago for her
old home in Troy, where she now is.