The Washington times., 1919-12-14

Society did not take his love affair very
seriously-for the two we're so disss1nilar
in taste and outlook on life. The girl was
used to the superficial but very delightful
manners Of the Continental men.
Stevens, on the other hand, was a down
right, rather stolid American, who looked
upon women as more OF less his equals.
He had graduated from Columbia IN 1900,
studied law and was already well known IN
his profession. He was also deeply inter
ssted in politics, and had been appointed
counsel TO the Bronx Parkway Commission.
His family tradition was one Of serious ef-
fort and splendid accomplishment He was
the granddaughter OF the Edwin A. Stevens
who founded the Stevens Institute Of Tech
nology in Hoboken and whose engineering
pQYess had given him an international
reputation.
Into his life, at forty-two, hoated the de-
lightfully brilliant young butterfly from
Philadelphia, girl who knew little OF and
cared less for law and politics. Mrs. Dick
saw her chance to make a match, and,
woman-like, did her best TO bring It about,
irrespective of what might happen after.
With the passing of time and the press
ing tragedies of the three years OF fighting,
Miss Watts had outgrown or controlled the
sorrow brought to her by the death of her
reported hover. She first became mildly
interested in her~new admirer. and later
apparently fell In love with him. In
January, 1917, their engagement was aa-
nounced, and in March they were married.
Following short wedding trip the happy
couple settled down in New York, and
society having given them the once-over
left them alone as objects Of gossip. All
looked most happy on the surface. And
In the beginning they were happy.
Several months went by. before any un-
easiness was reused. Then Il became eyi-
dent that all was not wen In the new house
hold. Rumors Of friction, OF quarrels even.
over money matters and over Temperament
tai differences, went up and down Fifth
Avenue. Finally these rumors reached the
castle over on the Jersey side Of the river.
and great was the CONSERVATION In the
family stronghold The Richard Steyenses,
few to the rescue, but the objects Of their
solicitude would not talk. They were
patiently unhappy, but would admit moth
ing. Neither would they accept money
from their richer folk ~.
And in this regard Il was recalled that
young Mrs. Stevens had always been de-
terminedly independent In money matters.
Indeed, not long before her marriage she
found It difficult to get along on her own
small income and decided to go upon the
stage. But so shrunken were her resources
that although a position was open to her,
she did not have money enough 20 buy
her costumes for IL. She went into motion
pictures-hiding her real identity-and IN
a few weeks earned enough to buy the
dresses and hats for the more ambitious
part. After that the play went upon the
road, but failed. Although her relatives
in Philadelphia are numerous and wealthy,
she would accept no help from them.
So it was not long after the wedding that
the clash OF ideals and temperaments be-
gan. AS a member Of the Stevens family
Theodosius had goodly income and this
he added to with his law work. But there
Is an appalling difference between what is
necessary for single man TO be comfort
able upon in fashionable society and what
is necessary for a young couple. They
were entertained and had 20 entertain In
turn. Mrs. Stevens had known, OF course,
before she married that her husband was
not in the multimillionaire class. But she
had not realized the difference between a
good income" and a really big fortune
Brought up as she had been by indulgent
American parents, she had been given
everything in reason and assumed that her
husband could, of course, give her a great
deal more. She had no dot, because Ethel
bert Watts was in no position 20 settle a