New-York tribune., 1921-03-01
Artists Wife
Recitcs Story
OF Alienation
Mrs. Steichen Tells Court
Miss Beckett Wore Diaph-
anous Draperies That
Her Husband Suggested
Dots on Face for Kisses
lndiscrctions While Guest
i'm Home Alleged in Suit
for 100000 Damages

Mrs. Clara S. Stcichen, wife Of
Edouard ]. Steichen, an American
artist and friend Of Rodin, the sculp-
tor, had her opportunity yesterday to
relate In open court the alleged cir
cumstances Of the love affair between
her husband and Miss Marian r.
Beckett, an artist out of which has
grown the 100000 alienation of affec-
tions suit which Mrs. Steichen has
brought against Miss Beckett. The de-
fendant is daughter Of the late Sur
rogate Charles H. Beckett. She has
denied all the charges made by the
plaintiff.
Before Justice Cohalan and a Jury
Mrs. Steichen recited at length the de-
tails of the alleged affair which her
husband and Miss Beckett carried on
while the latter was a guest at the
Steichen home in Voulanges, France.
1t was in the summer Of 1914, said the
wife, that she noticed the affec-
tions of Mr.. Steichcn were being trans
ferred. Mr.. Steichen Joined the A. f. f.
III 1917 as lieutenant and later was
promoted to the rank Of major.
Mrs. Steichen told Of the dlaphanous
clothes she said Miss Beckett used to
wear upon the advice Of Mr.. Steichen.
OF the two passing much time together
in discussing their favorite flower. the
petunla, and of dots and crosses marked
on Miss Becketts face with pencil by
Mr.. Steichen, which he explained, his
wife said, meant kisses. The plaintiff
also testified that the woman artist
posed for her husband
They used to go into dark room
together to develop photographs" Mrs.
Steichen said. "Then she would 90
INTO his studio and pose for him"
About the pencil marks on Miss Beck
etts face. the plaintiff testifed:
They were together in the room.
One OF them suggested that give them
some music. ] went to the instrument
and played for an hour. When my
playing was over | saw crosses and
dots, marked with pencil, on Miss Beck
ett's face. asked what they meant, and
she said she didn't know. WHY don't
you tell her that they mean kisses?'
said my husband"
Mrs. Stclchen went on to say that the
preference for the petunia Of her hus-
band and the woman she is suing was
~"A 'NN 81 4dI LndL MISS BcCkotC used
to have their favorite hower embroid
cred on her lingerie. She also told of
trips to Paris by the two artists.
Departs at Wife's Instance
Miss Beckett left the Steichen home
in August, 1914, after Mrs. Steichen
had voiced her ojections to the ap-
paren: friendlness of her husand with
the defendant. She joined her mother
in England. Mrs. Steichen and her
children left Voulanges in 1917 because
Of the approach of the German army
and came to the United States.
The two women met again in
Knoedler's Gallery in New York. Miss
Beckett asked why Mrs. Steichen had
not been to see her while she was i'll
in hospital, to which the witness
said she replied:
" 1T is not like me not to visit
friend when she is ill., Nor is it like
me to play the hypocrto' Miss Beck
EFT looked panied and then she said:
If you'll only trust me III prove to
you what really fine friend can be.
Only let me kiss you | took that for
pledge that she would let Mr..
Steichen alone. and I let her kiss me.
said to her at that time, too, Surely
you don't want to see me unhappy
again."
The trial will be continued to-day.