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The Strange Tangle of Mixed Relationship that Followed the fVedding.
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.HAT Is the legal complication when a sister's
nueband marries her brother's wife?
The question looks simple enough at first,
but the more It Is studied the more complicated
becomes the problem, for It Involves two sisters-in-law
who married the same man. both of them
divorced, a man who Is the divorced husband
of his brother-In-law s wife, and children who
are m-phews and nieces of their stepfathers.
The characters in this strange domestic comedy-tragedy
all live In Nashua. N. II., and while the matrimonial tangle
has Anally been settled In the courts, the romance behind It
his only been revealed by another lawsuit over the possession
of a diamond ring.
The romance began fourteen years ago. when Abble Day
and Llizle Bancroft were the two social leaders In Nashua
society. Both were handsome, stylish girls, the daughters of
rich parents. They had been schoolgirl chums and friends
as well when they became young women.
In time both girls fell In love or thought they did, which
sometimes amounts to the same thing. But unfortunately
both'girls fell In love with the same man.
The young man who entered the romance was Charles
Chandler, a young business man of Nashua. In time Abble
iy married Chirles Chandler. Mule Bancroft, concealing
h-r own love for Chandler, tried to console herself by marry
ing Ahlile Kay s brother. Moses Day. The two girls remained
steadfast friends, even after their marriage.
Brilliant Weddings for Both Girls.
Abble I my was married a few weeks before her brother.
Iler wedding Is recalled, even to this day, as the must brilliant
sorlal event ever witnessed at Nashua. Masle Bancroft was
ono of the btldi maids, and as the two lovely glrla stood In the
brilliantly decorated parlors it was hard for those present to
decide which was the happier.
A few weeks later Mosea Day and Llesle Bancroft were
married, and their wedding was equally brilliant.
For five years there was not a cloud over the domestic
happiness of the two brides. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler lived
for a time at Wells River, Vt., and Inter at Boston, where
Mr. Chandler lost his own money and his wife's fortune by
unfortunate speculation. They then returned to Nashua to
live at the Chandler homestead.
Adversity had also come Into the married life of Moses
Day and Ills wife, and at the end of five years they, too, were
rvlng In more reduced circumstances In Nashua. Both fami
lies, however, remained on the best of terms with each other,
as far as the publlo could learn.
All the time, however, there was a secret sorrow In the
homes of the two girls. Mrs. Chandler came to know that
Airs. Day was dseply In love with Mr. Chandler, and that
I lie love was reciprocated. Moses Day, too, learned that his
wife cared more for his sister's husband than she did for
'him. Both wives tried to conceal what they both knew.
JHoth husbands wfcrs equally secretive.
J
Climax at the Chandler Home.
Then came the climax. Both couples met one evening
at the Chandler mansion. All were trying to appear happy
and unconcerned, but even as they sat around the card table
In the sitting room they all showed the restraint they felt.
Suddenly Mrs. Day pushed the table from her, started to
ilse, and then, falling back Into her chair, began to weep
silently, with her face burled In her handkerchief.
Then followed one of the most dramatic incidents ever
known In those secret romances of married life. Mrs.
Chandler, with the Intuitive knowledge of a woman wronged.
Instead of going at once to her sister-in-law's side, In an
effort to comfort her, regarded her silently a moment and
then walked across the room and stood by her brother's chair.
Moses Day, With his elbows on the table In front of him,
watched his weeping wife, more In sorrow than In anger.
The silence In the room seemed to become intensified, and
then Chandler knelt on one knee beside Mrs. Day and with
whispered words sought to comfort her.
There were no mock heroics, no hysterics, no tears, no re
proaches. Moses Day knew from that moment that his wife
was lost to him forever, and Mrs. Chandler knew that she no
more had a husband.
" I suppose this Is the end of .it all?"
It was Moses Day who broke the silence. It was Moses
Day whose strength of character was so great that It enabled
him to rise above passion and anger, and enabled him to look
the situation squarely In the face.
" Yes. It's the end of all," said Mrs.
Chandler. " I've known for a long
time that my husband no longer loves
me. I've fought against this knowledge, but It's no Use. It's
all been a mistake, all through. I think It Is best to end the
matter right here."
Mrs. Day dried her tears and tried to throw herself 1(1
Mrs. Chandler's arms'but was gently repelled.
' I loved
I can't
Mrs. Day Admits Love for Chandler.
" O. I've always loved him," she sobbed afresh,
him when you married him. I couldn't help It.
help It."
There that night the whole miserable affair was discussed
In all Its bearings on the future. But in all the' discussion
Mrs. Day sat beside Chandler, while Mrs. Chandler re
mained with her brother. It was agreed that they should
separate, and that there should be no more scandal than the
proceedings for divorce weuld reveal.
The next day Mrs. Chandler left the Chandler home and
took up her resVb nee with her brother. Moses Day. Chandler
left Nashua, gnins to Boston. Mrs. Day also left her hus
band's home and went to live with Chandler's need mother.
Bo In twenty-four hours the two girls Who had been friends
all their lives but who could be friends no longer actually
exchanged hnm s.
Of course, t!wre was talk without end. The Nashua
gossips were busy
week In and week out.
but they could only
guess at the true sit
uation. At tho end "f a
year and a half Mr.
C h a r 1 es Chandler
brought suit for di
vorce, but his caee
was thrown out of
court. Then Mrs. Chandler entered a counter plea for di
vorce and It was granted.
Divorces Secured, Wedding Soon follows.
Hardly hid the gossips flnishtd talking about the Chandler
divorce than they had a fresh sensation In the suit of Muses
Day for a divorce from his wife. It was granted, and a few
'days afterward Chandler and Mrs. Day were married.
The divorced Mrs. Chandler moved at once to Brockton,
Mass., where she became a saleswoman In a large dry goods
store. The romance of her life would perhaps nevi r hawe
been known outside of Nashua had she not sued the aged
Mrs. Chandler for what she felt Was due her. She had taken
care of the old woman for five years dressed her every morn
ing, looked for her, put her to bed every night, waited on her,
nursed her. And for this she asked $10 a week for i.'On weeks.
She told her story In court and the Jury awarded her ..'. 4im.
As a fitting end to this strange romance it may be stated
that Moses Day has married a second time. His little
daughter by his first wife lives with him.
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iERTAINLY. I hope to paint 1.000 cat portraits!
hy, before spring comes 1 shall have paintd
Duo. And with a 900 record behind one. 100
more seems few."
So says Mrs. E. M. Gardner of Pttma.i
Grove. N. J., the woman famous for having
already achieved Ml cat pictures. These pic
tures, some painted on canvas, some on wood.
some on cardboard, but most of nil on cloth and velvet por
traits of cats on sofa cushions being a specialty with Mrs.
Gardner have gone all over the United States and Canada.
A number of them have penetrated to Japan and China Still
others have gone to France and London. The devoted artist
is now at work upon a collection of distinguished cat portraits
that are to cross the Atlantic- ocean. From far and wide
come requests for her work.
Some of the Gardner portraits are so natural and lifelike
that dogs have fought with and rent them, while astonished
visitors to the Gardner studio have cried out in alarm to see
thulr hostess apparently sit down comfortably upon the fam
ily cat.
One such visitor, being reassured on this point, looked
questloningly toward another pretty pussy, luxuriously curled '
up In the corner of the sofa. " Do you know," Bhe said, mer-
rlly, " I could almost fancy that cat was painted, too."
And it was.
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Eye Most Difficult to Produce
Mrs. Gardner works In oils always, and does her work with
much careful attention to detail. She has most happily
mastered the stroke that makes the eye of her chosen subject
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the eye being rh most difficult feature of all to render
paturally seem alive and blinking. She has also mastered
the art or cat expression. All her cats wear a characteristle
and Individual air.
Black cats, tabbies, Angoras, maltese, Persians, common
family cats, rare feline wonders, all are alike Interesting and
charming to Mrs. Gardner, who loves all cats dearly. But
every cat she paints, aristocratic or otherwise, must poastss
some modicum of beauty In order to attract her. She loves
test of all to paint a really handsome cat.
I.ady Jule, the cherlBhed est of Francis Wilson, the eom
edian; Tlx, the famous " f:i,KN) cat " belonging to M. A. New
ton of Philadelphia, and known to travelers from all parts
of the world: the handsome, dignified Black Judge, owned
by Dr. Slaughter of Pitman Grove these, with hundreds Of
others, have taken Arm hold of the affections of the woman
who has Joy In painting their portraits. Roosevelt and
Parker, the one alive, alert, exultant, the other dull, d
Jected. languid, recently earned fresh laurels for their crea
tive artixt an they hung in the smoking room of the Voting
republicans' club of Philadelphia. In Washington, New
1ork, txihdon. and other cities have similar plaudits greeted
" Mrs. Gardner's cats."
Starts to Aid Church.
f ha manner In which the woman who alma to paint 1,000
tat portraits slipped Into the work Is Interesting. This Is her
story of how It came to pass.
" I hsvo always been Interested In art. and the Instructors
of my Connecticut girlhood said I had talent. But for
number of years I made no special effort toward painting,
and I shall always think snd say I was Inspired to paint
eats. When, a few years ago, the Cooper Memorial church
of Philadelphia was to be erected, I greatly desired to help.
A financial rrash had restricted my income, so I painted a eat
cn a Velvet cushion snd sold It. That was the beginning,
and ver since I have been kept busy with cat painting. Ths
ambition to paint 1.000 cats earns much later, and grew out
of ths astonishing proportions my work had already at
tained. Portraits In Demand 8.000 Miles Away.
"Just a little while ago my cherished Tlx painting was
started away on Its S.0io mile Journey across the Paclflo
ocean for far away Tsu, Japan, while about the same time
my Tabby Zeiss' portrait weivt to Shanghai, China. Every
suoh Incident la followed by a number of requests and orders.
so I have to work hard, always, to keep up with my engage
ments. But I do not find the work too hard, because I love it,
and because I think of the many things It will enable me to
do."
Mrs. Gardner has already given to charily more than
il.AM) earned by the sale of cat cushions and pictures, and
she hopes and expects to continue her good work In this direc
tion for many years.
Lives in World of Her Own.
For rest and recreation, Mrs. Gardner plays with her
own cats, which she Is perpetually studying in search of
new hints and cat knowledge, writes simple poems, and enjoys
life In her garden. " Working with God In My Garden," a
favorite poem, has been many times treasured and copied by
admiring readers. The lovely garden In which It was com
posed Is Inclosed by wonderful hedges of honeysuckle planted
by the artist-gardener eight years ago, when partial piiralys's
of the optic nerve necesxltated temporary r- st from painting.
These hedges, rising seven feet in the air, uml with a depth of
loo feet, are rare and attractive. Flowers, like cats, thrive
v eil with and for Mrs. Gardner, who does her best work in the
little stuilio wing of the quaint family mansion almost con
cealed by trellises of roses, lattices of lilac, and shrubbery
" There Is Just enouuli of the world hi re to suit me." she
says. " When I want Inspiration I look at the fiky."
Added Inspiration Is now furnished by the fact that many
of the last loo cats needed to make up the desired 1.000 have
been ordered In advance. When all are finished the Moth
specimen will be disposed of In special manner, and Mrs.
Gardner probably will write a book about her cat paintings
and experiences, alternating the more serious matter and
pictures with suitable verses. Hundreds of enthusiastic ad
mirers who continually visit her home to see her private
collection f pirxonally painted cat portraits, have advised
and requested this. Cuples of the bonk probably will accom
pany the set of "royalty portraits " to be sent to the White
bouse and to various crowned heads of Europe ere long.
Exhibition at Pet Stock Show.
Modest and uu assuming, Mrs. Gardner exhibits but sel
dom, though often urged to do so. Her best exhibition prob
ably will take place In Chicago, from Jan. U.'l to 'J. Inclusive,
when the ninth annual poultry and pet stock show of the
National Fanciers and Breeders' association will take place.
The painted cats of Mrs. Gardner will be In fine company for
n'any of the living feline aristocrats of America, with soma
of the famous "silvers" of Mrs. F. J. IS. Champion, lute of
Kngland, but now of New York, are to be shown during the
c.iTiIng week at the Chicago exhibition. Some of the hund
s'.ni.Kt " pussy prizes " have come to Chicago from Ladjl
Marcus lleresfonl and Miss Winifred Beule of Kngland. Mrs.
lliffstra, pnsldent of the Atlautlc Cat flub of Philadelphia;
Dr. It. OtolenKui, secretary of file same club; and Mrs. James
K Chllds of New Vork have sent handsome prizes as well.
The cats will be on exhibition from Tuesday noon unt'l
Friday noon, but the dogs, which will divide honors with
them, will 1h' shown from Wednesday morning onward, and
the pet stock and poultry exhlljjts will be In place all week.
