Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-12-13

timacy appeared to exist between my
daughter and Miss Willard, who SEEM
ed to be the most exemplary young
lady. My son takes the matter phil
and considers it far better
that he should have found out her want
of affection for him now than at a later
stage of life. AT present he is at
Orange, New York, but will soon re-
turn to Kansas City"
HOW IT HAPPENED.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. IA Washington
special to the Republican says: One
of the most brilliant society events of
the season here was spoiled to-day in a
very sensational way by a sudden
change of mind on the part of young
lady who substituted an older lover tor
an expectant bridegroom at the eleventh
hour. The young lady in question was
Miss Mary Willard daughter of Mr.
Carey d. Willard, an officer in the
army during the rebellion, who came
to Washington after the war from the
west. The Willards live in fine style
i'll large four story house at the cor
ner of South A and Third street, Oh
Capitol hill. The family had been
abroad for some time. Miss Willard
and her mother only recently returned,
after ordering the wedding trousseau
in Paris. Mr.. Willard did not come
with his family, but was expected to
arrive in time for the wedding. He
had forwarded many costly gifts to his
daughter. Miss Mary is brunette
with a large dark brown eye and q
plump figure. She is twenty years OF
age.
TWO LOVERS.
The gent eman to whom she was ell
gagged to be married, one week from
tomorrow, was Mr.. Frank Simpson
son Of Mr.. George Simpson of Donneli,
Lawson ~ Simpson, bankers, in New
York. Mr.. Simpson met Miss Willard
in London year and half ago, anG
was struck with her beauty and nc.
complishments. lie soon became q
suitor for her hand and an engagement
followed with the entire approval ol
Miss Wizards parents. Miss Willard
it now appears, had not forgotten an
earlier lover, Mr.. VIM. Paxton, 9
prominent young patent lawyer OF this
city, who had been very frequent
visitor at the Willard mansion fol
years. 1t is not known whether she
corresponded with Mr.. Paxton during
her stay abroad, but on her return III.
visits were renewed and the sequel
shows that the elopement was long ant
carefully planned.
FOREwARNED.
About fortnight ago, on the occas.
ion of one of Mr.. Simpsons visits, Mis-
Willard, so one of her friends says
told him she did not love him enough
to marry him, but the difficulty wa
arranged someway and 1900 invita-
tons were sent out for the wedding ol
the 18th inst. Preparations for the
event went busily on at the Willard
mansion and presents valued ut thou.
sands of dollars were received from
friends in New York, Washington ant
elsewhere. Meantime, Miss Willart
and Mr.. Paxton were busily planning
for an entirely different wedding. Mr.
Paxton took his brother and two friends
into his confidence, and their cooler
heads laid the plans.
MARRIED AND GONE.
This morning at 9:3O o'clock Mis-
Willard attired in a plum-colored walk
ing dress, theater hat and sealskil
sacque, left the house ostensibly Oh /,
shopping tour. She met MIR. Paxtol
and his friends by appointment OF
Pennsylvania avenue, and the part,
went to the city hall, where license
was obtained from Clerk Meige. ::Thenc,
they went to the residence of Rector
Addison, of the Trinity Episcopa
church, two blocks distant, and wcr,
married. The bride and groom, t.
avoid suspicion parted company at til,
rectory, Mrs. Paxton departing under
the escort of one of her husbands
friends, and the groom proceeding iii
rectly to the Baltimore and Potoma,
depot, where he engaged a compart
ment in parlor car in the IL a. IN
train. few minutes later he was
joined by the bride and the pair bic
adieu to their impromptu groomsmel
and the train rolled away. Their des
tination was not known until to night
when friend said they would pas.
the honeymoon with ali uncle of tn,
groom in suburb of New York, ant
then return here. There are many evi
dences that the affair was not a suddcl
MI. dAlou IlIttt CNCu DCCu 81
thoughtful as to consult lawyer tt
learn if the presents intended for Mrs
Simpson could be claimed by Mrs.
Paxton.
HOW HE TAKES IT.
New YORK, Dec. 4.-Mr. Geo Simp
son was amazed on seeing the story
of the elopemcnt OF his intended bride
i'll an evening paper, which he hurried
ly bought on his way to catch train
for Orange. When he got to his hand
some Queen Anne house on Main street
he found his son, Frank, singing in the
parlor with his sisler,who sat at piano
Young Simpson, who is an agreeable
fellow of % years, with dark hair and
Il budding moustache and side-whisk-
ers, was even more surprised than his
father had been when the latter showed
him the newspaper. 1t was the frs
lntimation OF the affair he had re
ceived. He is Il resident of Kansas
City, Mo-, where he does business as q
real estate and insurance broker, and
came Oh to Washington few weeks
ago to visit Mrs. Willard. He arrived
in Orange last Monday, after spending
couple of days with his aiiianced
"Why, father" he cried as he ran his
eye over the paper, "this is nonsense
Mary and parted most affectionately
when left her. She never said word
about any desire to be released from
her engagement to me. She never told
Inc she could not love me-"
The young couple were to have been
married last month, but the ceremony
was postponed until the l1th inst, to
please young Simpson, who wanted
Miss Willard S father to be present al
the ceremony. Mr.. Willard, Sr., was
very much attached to his prospective
son-in-law and started week age
from London to attend the wedding
and give the bride away.
Banker Simpson was incredulous
but sent dispatches instantly to variou.
friends in Washington, asking what
gave rise to the story. Up to 10 O'Clock