Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-08-23

New York. Aug. 22.-(Special.)
is his love for the beautiful and
fashionable divorcee, Mrs. Philip
M. Lydig, to drive DR.. Percy Stick
ney Grant, New York's most radi-
cal rector. from his pulpit at the
Ascension church?
Across the engagement of this
celebrated couple, the announce
ment Of which has caused storm
Of conjecture to arise in prominent
Episcopalian circles of New York,
falls the ominous shadow of Epis-
copal disapproval.
Bishop William r. Manning, who
must pass upon the marriage,
when located in San Francisco,
declared that he had no state
ment to make at this time con-
corning the approaching marriage
of Mrs. Lydig and DR.. Grant. The
tenets Of the Episcopal church for
bid the marriage of member to
a divorcee unless she is an inno-
cent party to a divorce.
Twice has Mrs. Lydig been di-
vorced. Her husbands were the
millionaire w. u. D. Stokes and
Maj. Philip M. Lydig. whose name
she bears.
DR.. Grants attitude toward di-
vorce as against the rule OF the
church Is not of recent adoption.
Some time ago he caused a stir
among the members of his congre-
cation when he declared:
Divorce Justified.
"A marriage is founded for af-
fection of two persons for each
other. And If love is the basis of
marriage, why should the union
between the man and woman en-
dure If that love should change to
loathing?"
A third party who will be vital
ly affected by the crisis in DR..
Grants career, tiny grooming
party who does not appreciate
what is transpiring, Is the baby
Faith Willard, the little founding
who has been cared for by the
rector since left upon the steps of
his home, West Tenth street, last
May.
Although DR.. Grant has taken
no steps to legally adopt the child.
he has expressed a great affection
for Faith" But will the FASH
ionable society matron want the
waif to become a part of her
household?
The present Mrs. Lydig first
came into the public eye in 1895
at the age of 16. She was then
Miss Rita Hernandez de Alba de
Costa, an impulsive daughter Of
Spanish Cuban parents Her mar
riage at that time to Stokes, the
millionaire, proved quite mild
sensation.
Divorced From Stokes.
The romance with the million
aire lasted five years. In 1900 she
obtained a divorce from Stokes,
and son, w. e. D. Stokes. Jr,
was awarded to her. She was
granted alimony Of $4,000 a year,
with the provision that it be cam
celed should she remarry. Later
the divorced woman voluntarily
returned the boy to the custody of
his father.
Then, on February 5. 1902, So
ciety was again interested by the
news that she had married Philip
Lydig. The ceremony, held in the
Grace church chancery, came as
a complete surprise, especially
since Mrs. Lydig was known to be
a devout Catholic. For a time II
was reported she would go to
Rome for dispensation from the
pope, but this plan was abandoned.
After the marriage the couple
left upon an extended honeymoon. |
which carried them to Egypt. the
England, France and
many places on the continent. I'M
upon their return to
were held by them.
New Domestic Storm.
At the time the war began, the
domestic sea of the Lydigs began |
to be ruffled by severe storms. 1t !
was then that the subsequent di-
vorce began to take shape, but the |
was held up until the |
conclusion of the world struggle. |
Major Lydig left for Russia to take |
charge Of the American. ambulance |
there and his wife plunged into |
war work.
1t was in 1917 that she stirred |
Ill classes of society when she de-
Jared that civilization in this !
country was menaced by drugs, thar |
me out of every ten persons was an I
lddict. She went so far as to say |
that many of her charming |
riends" were marked by this curse.
She implored that society be less |
,rutal with the unfortunate. She |
made this statement before legis-
ative committee investigating the
lrug traffic.
In 1919 she went to Paris and /
here obtained a decree of divorce
against her husband, then a major !
n the army. Her charge was in
II the career Of Mrs. Lydig has
,een colorful, not whit less SO Is
hat of DIR. Percy Stickney Grant,
lie was born in Boston In 1860 and /
vas graduated from Harvard uni-
yersitv in 1893. Three wears later /