TRAGEDY OF A MASK.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8823, 27 May 1907, Page 4

TRAGEDY OF A MASK.

k case that is attracting enormous interest in the United States is the action for divorce shojrtly to he brought by Mme. Emma Eames, the celebrated singer, against her husband, Mr Julian Story, the artist, whch will be heard at White Plains, the capital of Westchester County. A sensational incident at a masked ball given by Mr Story at Philadelphia last winter is said to have caused the final rupture between the couple. Mr Story, was in indifferent health at the time, and Madame Eames went over from New York to act as hostess. Ignorant of the identity which her mask concealed, two ladies, it is said, revealed to her an extraordinary story of her husband’s infatuation for a beautiful Philadelphian, and fled in terror when they discovered who the recipient of their indiscretions was. Mdme. Eames insisted on an explanation from her husband, and left him at once when he declined to give it. The most tactful intervention on the part of intimate friends shows the utter hopelessness of any attempt to bring about a reconciliation. ‘ ‘ Had there been mad, unreasoning jealousy or hot, bitter reproaches on the one hand, and open defiance on the other, there might have |beeu some hope,” said one of these friends; “but each is ,so quiet, so calm, and magnanimous?towards the other that it reflects the "fixed determination to separate at once and for ever. ’ ’ Mrs Story is heartbroken over it. While indignant in 'her womanly wrath and fixed in lier resolution, she speaks of Mr Story in the kindliest way, except in one respect, and keeps saying: ‘‘l hope I am not doing in ail unkind way that which, nevertheless, I must do.” Mr Story is groa’ly distressed over his wife’s legal action. Ho absolutely denies the charges, saying they are utterly groundless and the work of malicious gossips. “It is not a matter of to-day or yesterday, ’ ’ he said to a close friend who had forced the subject on him. ‘‘My wife and I have practically lived apart for two years. I have for her the greatest respect, though I think she lias been badly advised, and I shall do nothing to put up a harsh defence. I will not do or say one word that would defend mo if it wounded or hurt her in the least. She is a woman in public life, and the target of remark from the very nature of her public position. My desire, while _ absolutely denying the charges, is not to do an unchivalrous thing towards her. The most unfortunate thing is that she brought the action in New York, with its well known drastic law of divorce.” It is said that none except a formal defence will be made when the hearing of the divorce case is held in the White Plains Court. The proceedings will be conducted as expeditiously and as quietly as possible