The Washington herald., 1916-12-29

When a famous star whom you all
know married broad-shouldered.
good-looking son of an aristocratic
southern family, the romantic world
'breathed long. satisfied sigh. For.
after all. there Is nothing we. enjoy
more than the romance OF others. espe-
cially of the people whom we know
and love over the footlights.
will she retire from the stage?"
was the first question the public ask
ed. afraid she might follow the exam
pie Of many others and give up her
career. For though we like to hear
that our favorites are happy with
beautiful children in their arms, at
the same time we are selfish and are
loath to let them drift out of our own
pleasure lives. And this actress is one
whom you all love very dearly.
Knowing her for many years, I was
perhaps one of the first she told OF
her hearts longing. It was to live
only for her husband and the children
she dreamed would bring more happi-
ness than the applause of a thousand
audiences.
She had married the man she loved
she had accepted him without max
ing any demands-she knew that he
had neither a fine position nor pros
poets, but had spent an idle lifetime
living on a very small income from a
Southern plantation which was rapidly
falling into decay. In fact. bis
monthly income was only half as large
as her weekly salary. but he was
young and she had great faith in him.
When a woman loves a man, she is
always confident he can conquer
worlds for her. He is her protector,
she looks up to him, and her own
thoughts of success are merged into
her desire for his achievement.
But the months went by and this
handsome. indolent husband made no
effort to work for her, fight for her.
or even to protect her. He lived COM
fortably in her beautiful apartment,
enjoyed the luxury OF her cars and the
servants she provided, and entertained
his friends literally with the money
made by his wife
30 in love was she that at first she
regarded II only as a divine pleasure
to be in a position to shower upon the
one she cared for her few worldly
goods.
But after a while her pride was
hurt; she saw her friends whispering
behind their hands and their sympa-
thetic, furtive glances followed her
when she was forced to leave her own
drawing-room and return to the thea
ter to work. In hvr absence the
charming. fascinating husband enter
tained them.
He was always gallant, always con-
versationally emotional and affection
ate. but two years went by and never
was there a mention of his seeking q
position whereby he could support her
or eVen nroyIda for t,n
When a woman loses faith in the
man she loves, she either accepts her
position Of martyrdom and tolls faith
! fully, or else she suffers keenly and
becomes bitter because of her disallu-
sionment.
The latter was the case with this
actress you and I know SO well.
First the gossipy items, always looking
for rents in the wedding veil. hinted at
the wife's disappointment. suggesting that
the young husband. waxing fat and unat-
tractive upon the proceeds from his wife's
career. had been seen abroad during her
working hours with other women
|. When the wife's best friends whispered
the story in her ear, she turned them
away.
Il was twenty-five when married" I"
came her quiet reply. fThe girl Of six
teen does not understand the significance
! OF choosing ner mate, Dut When tllSl-
ness or professional woman, who has
passed that foolish age, chooses a man
whose attractions are superficial. she
must pay"
They are still living together and we
meet everywhere-at the dances. the clubs
or on the opening nights OF the new
plays The actress has given up the
stage for a while and has gone into
pictures.
The husband, the true aristocrat felt
the humiliation keenly. He knew moth
ing Of studio life but decided 1t was a
little bit below the standard his wife had
established for herself on the stage
His arrogant manner at the studio
when he visited his wife antagonized the
company she was working with. Once
more the wife was humbled by the posi-
ton he placed her in.
I was with her one afternoon when
three men, busy workers of the stage
we're gossiping together. unconscious she
was within hearing distance.
Il pity the woman who has to live with