The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-28
Harry Kemp Describes Romance
With Mrs. Sinclair.
Go Ahead and Make Her Happy
Author Said.
RETRIAL IS ORDERED.
Judge Declines to Give Upton
Divorce Decree.
Kansas Poet and Affinity Live
in Cheap Cottage.

New York Dec. 2S.-Justice Davis in
the supreme court followed up his &C
ton of a week ago in refusing to con-
firm the report of William S. Kelley.
the referee, who recommended that
Upton Sinclair. the author. be granted
an introductory decree of divorce from
Meta Fuller Sinclair, by directing that
the case be retired. The justice APP
pointed Marshall S. Harden, as referee,
to hear the testimony.
Harry Kemp. the Kansas poet. who is
living with Mrs. Upton Sinclair a mile
west of West Point Pleasant, N. J., in
bungalow for which he pays SO
month. furnished. told today to a Kan
sas friend the entire story of his ro-
nance with the wife of the radical au--
thor
Upton Sinclair still is Harry Kemp's
friend, but Harry now has few good
words to say about Sinclair since the
latter, d Harry says, in his suit for
divorce, which the judge wouldn't
grant, made me out as conventional
home breaker" Harry is anything but
conventional.
Harry says that when he arrived in
Arden to visit the SineIairs he found
ed a divorce. he says, and by his con-
slant nagging was driving his wife
nearly insane. Upton showed little con-
Germ as to the friendship between Mrs
Sinclair and Harry Kemp. at one time
Harry says, going so far as to say:
Go ahead and make her happy if
you can"
When Harry Kemp went to Arden
last summer he had never had any love
affairs. He was 2S years old.
DO you think you were led into this
AFFAIR." he was asked.
Sinclair led Him On.
No" He pounded the arm of his
chair. IF anybody is to blame it is
Upton and I. He drove Meta to do
what the conventional world perhaps
says was wrong. I loved her and she
loved me. There was no love between
her and her husband. We don't believe
in conventionalities We believe that as
long as we do not interfere with any
body else's happiness we have a right
to be left alone"
The two were waiting for the report
er when he arrived at the bungalow
after a long drive from the station.
I'm going over to a friends" Mrs.
Sinclair said. land leave you alone
with Mr.. Kemp
Som etimes she called him Mr..
Kemp, sometimes Harry. Once she |
called him dear in a soft voice that
she believed the reporter could not
hear.
Nov, 1 want to tell this complete |
story of the romance of Meta and my
self" Harry said.
Il went down to Arden last July |
upon Upton's invitation. 1 never had |
any correspondence with Mrs. Sinclair. |
We never had been more than formal |
" friendly.
when L got there 1 found the Sin
clair home was broken up. Upton had !
told Meta he wanted divorce and |
he had driven her nearly wild. He
would insist on her doing everything |
he did, made her diet and live in a
Whenever she would want him to
carry in a bucket of coal he would do
it, but would roar about that being a
fine occupation for a genius.
Upton. you know, preached free
love- Harry went on. I'm his Lover
he put forth his ideas.
About all I knew about marriage and
divorce I learned from Upton, because
he was practically my only married
friend.
Meta was unhappy and Upton was
so excited about his genius all the
ime that nobody would have much to
do with him. Meta and I began to
read poetry together and took long
walks together
well, Meta and I were having a
grand time we were very congeniaL
Upton Acts Funny
by and by 1 began to notice that
J. pton was becoming sort of funny and
went to him and said:
:" Upton, am I paying too much at
ention to Meta 2
:. No he said. go ahead and. if you
an. make her happy
''I had had no experience with wonl
sn.'' Harry went on L didn't know
ust what the outcome would be. 1
NEW we were very congenial and that
liked to be with her
Then he paused and his voice was low.
We'll, I thought perhaps 7 ought to
20. but I remembered the doctrines that
7pton had preached and how he had
reated Meta and-and I loved her So l
'sThen UPTON came to me and wanted {
ne to promise that 7 would play square.
Je didn't know He came too late But
believed he would live up to his preach
le had taught. l believed he would real I
re that he had driver his wife to des-
,eration until she didn't know what she
vas doing. Meta was not to blame. Blame
pton and me. Always blame the men.
Upton. who had been a radical, then
,egan to take the advantages of the
owed his wife and as if had delib-
rately alienated her affections Then
deta went TO New York"
..All this time you we're staying at
ne Sinclair house?" he was asked. .
Certainly.
sNever a harsh word passed between
Is. I wish he had said something. wish
e had tried to punch me- 1t would have ,
zen better than this continual sneak1ng
round and now being radical and then
minute later being conventional.
Meta had gone to New York and 1t | {
eened as if the bottom had dropped out
( the universe I decided to follow her |
pton said / had better stay away, but s
told him I was going
He always had Whined beca Sc Meta [
rank a cup of coffee every mon ing. and
Fhen I told him 1 was going he picked
ID the coffee pot and threw it toward
ne and said: There, take that censor
nd put it at the altar of your goddess "
Harry laughed
Clean Up Among Bakeries