The San Francisco call., 1906-04-18
DESERTED WIFE
Gets DIVORCE
Mrs. Stella NJ. Gray Is
Granted a Decree With
$500 a Month Alim0ny
LURES HER TO EUROPE
Spouse Cunningly Induces
Her to Make Long Tour,
Then Flees the Country

FFettily gowned and accompanied by her
maid. Mrs. Stella NJ. Gray. who has aban-
doned her beautiful country home ct Fair
Oaks 10 reside al s2e Fell street. this city,
appeared before Presiding Judge Graham
yesterday 10 prosecute her action for di-
vorce. Her husband, L. NJ GRAY, is man.
aser Of the kosmos Steamship Company,
and dcsertion was the ground of action
she laid against him.
Mrs .Gray's attitude on the stand plain
y manifested the fact that though her
husband Of sixteen years deserted her
more than year ago she still holds af-
fecuon for him. Though no specific allie
cation was made Mrs. Gray dropped the
hint that another woman is responsible
Tor the disruption OF her home 1t was an
act she first construed as generosity that
Opened her eyes TO the fact that her hus-
bands love for her had died, and this in
cident she explained.
More than a year ago" said Mrs.
Cray my husband sent me and our G.
year-old son TO Europe. I was delighted
st his generosity, but soon found that a
sinister purpose caused it. He promised
10 join Us in Europe. but failed TO do so
On my return 10 this country wrote him
I've letters. but received no answer. Final
~ left New York and came 10 this city.
only TO learn that Mr.. Gray had departed
Tor South America When I finally man
aged to communicate with him he urged
me 70 return 20 Europe. but this I refused
70 do. preferring 10 remain here and get
divorce from him for his conduct"
Mercedes Ruiz. Mrs. Gray's maid. cor
roborated the story told by her mistress
The court then directed that decree be
Issued as prayed for and directed that the
defendant pay Mrs. Gray $500 a month ali
mony.
Similarity Of temperament has failed to
hold together Jules Mersfelder. and his
pretty wife, Lucille. Both are widely
known as talented artists. and while in
months past they used TO be happy within
the same studio walls. Mrs Mersfelder
has lately been occupying premises on
Merchant street, while her husband con-
tented himself with a Pine street estab-
lishmelt- Cruelty, alleged Mrs. Mersfeld-
er- has driven her from her husband. and
on this ground Judge Graham granted her
2 decree OF divorce.
My husbands conduct so crushed me
that I was unable 70 follow my profess
sion: testified Mrs MersfeIder He was
constantly making false accusations
against me. On one occasion we were en-
5oyiag. dinner at a downtown restaurant
and i -telephoned to Mr.. Mersfelder 10 join
US. Ele came, and in the presence Of my
friends made accusations against me that
resulted IN the parry breaking up in an
ser.
VS. Wright. v no occupies a studio ad-
Joining Mrs. Mersfelder's. testified that
through the thin partition he heard Mers-
fe1dcr abusing his wife. even threatening
10 Kill her. This was enough, and Judge
era ham ordered tllata decree issue
DEGREES Of divorce were also. granted
yesterday 10 Irene X. from Frank y. Da-
Wis for desertion, Nellie NJ from Robert
J. Perry for cruelty and Eunicc from Ar
thur Y. Camp for Willful neglect.
suit for divorce was fled by Ada Y.
against Miles J. Tomerlin for desertion.