TRAGEDY OF A MASK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRAGEDY OF A MASK.

FAMOUS SINGER'S DIVORCE. A case that is attracting enormous interest in the United States is the action for divorce shortly to be brought by Mine. Emma Eames, the celebrated singer, against her" husband. Mr. Julian Story, the artist, which will be heard at -White" Plains, the I capital of Westchester County. A sensational incident at a marked ball given by j 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. is hostess. " Ignorant of the identity which j 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. Mdhie. Eames insisted on an explanation from her husband, and left him at once when be 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, UXREASONIXG JEALOUSY or hot, bitter r-eproaches on the one hand, and open defiance on the other, there might have been some hope" said one of these; friends;" each is so quiet, so calm, and magnanimous towards the other that it re- j fleets the fixed determination to separate at once and for ever." Mrs. Story is heart- j broken over it. While indignant in her womanly wrath and fixed in her resolution, she, speaks of Mr. Story in the, kindliest j way, except in one inspect, and keeps saying: "I hope lam not doing in an unkind way that which, nevertheless, I must do." j Mr. Story is greatly distressed over his wife's legal action. He absolutely denies j the. charges, saying they are utterly ground-; less and the work of • malicious gossips, j 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; II have for her the greatest inspect, though j I think she has 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'me 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 ease is held in the White Plains Court. The proceedings, will be conducted as expeditiously and as quietly as possible. ■