Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-25
NINE. EAMES' SUIT
STIRS ART WORLD
Artists Action for Divorce From Julian
Story, the Painter, Sensation
in Gotham.

Westminster county, and is on the calendar
for hearing in the first week of April al
though action by the defense in the mean
time may change this.
The complaint does not give the names
of the correspondents, nor does it state
whether there is more than one.
Papers have been served and an answer
has been filed absolutely denying the
charges. This answer is not sworn to by
the respondent, but according to law that
is not necessary in divorce suits in this
state.
A Stage Tragedy.
Though it had been a carefully guarded
secret it became known a few days ago to
the most intimate friends of Mr.. and Mrs.
Story that crisis had come in their welded
life and that separation was inevitable.
Even the most delicate and tactful efforts
on the part of the intimates of either Of the
already practically divorced couple showed
the utter inutility of endeavors to bring
about a reconciliation. Had there been
mad, unreasoning jealousy, hot and bitter
reproaches on the one hand said close
friend of both the principals, land cold,
cruel, open defiance on the other, there
might have been some hope. The trouble,
had 1t been hot and fierce, would have
burned itself out and human nature would
have brought about a reconciliation.
sBut the difficulty is that each is so quiet,
so calm so magnanimous toward the other,
so to speak, that 1t reflects an utterly hope
less, fixed determination to separate at once
and forever. Mrs. Story is heart-broken
over 1t, and while indignant In her right
eous womanly wrath and fixed in the kindli-
ton. she speaks of Mr.. Story in the kindli-
est way-except in one respect-and keeps
saying hope 1 am not doing in an unkind
way that which, nevertheless, l must do.
And Mr. Story when spoken to has only the
kindest words to say of his wife, criticsing
her in no way except that she should not
have sought divorce here. where divorce, If
successful, proclaims man guilty abso-
lutey of the greatest of marital sins. He
would have had her bring it elsewhere
were she determined to leave him.
Il could have wept 1 saw her Satur
day at the Tosca matinee in the Metropoli-
tan-smiing and bowling before the great
cheering house. apparently the happiest
woman in the world. and yet one of the
most wretched, heartbroken creatures you
can imagine. If the audience could have
seen her within half an hour of that popu-
lar triumph in the solitude and agony of
neT own room, tHey WOulu nave plCleU n9T
as 1 did from the bottom of their hearts
1t is one of those tragedies Of the stage
that heard of now and again.
Mr.. Story's Statement.
Mr.. Story is naturally greatly distressed |
over his wife's legal action, and to his |
most intimate FRIENDSHIP none other will |
he utter word about the matter-he alb |
solutely denies the charges, saying they
are utterly grOundless and the work of |
malicious gossips. But what is the domi- |
mating tone of these remarks is not hot |
anger at his wife, but keen, poignant re- |
gret that she, who he believed had i'm |
plicit faith in him, should have listened to |
and, worse, believed in idle tales that have |
now wrecked two lives.
1T is not a matter of today nor yester- |
day. he said to a near friend who forced |
the subject on him. my wife and 1 have
practically lived apart for two years 1t is |
just Observation-Disclosures have agreed to |
disagree. l have for her the greatest re-
spect, and though l think she has been
badly advised In this matter, 1 shall do
nothing in the world to seem to put I'D a |
harsh defense.
Like other men who have been placed in
similar positions, l shall have to bear the
brunt of it. and must grin and bear it, I |
shall not, must not, I will not, do or say
one word that would defend me If IT
wounded or hurt her in the least. She is a
woman, and in public life and the target
of remark from the very nature of her pub
lie position, and my desire-whle absolute
ly denying the charges-is not to say an
angry word or do an unchivalrous thing
toward her
Il have only the best and kindliest and
gentlest words to say of her-no one knows
her better than l. no one shall have kindlier
words to say of her. now and always
The most unfortunate thing is that she
brought the action in New York, with IFS
Well-known drastic law of divorce If she
had only been more considerate in that,
but l snail not say one hasty word even
Oh 'hat toward this estimable woman.
can only say the pity of it,"