The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-06-09

campaign. The possibility of marriage,
which had been slowly working its way into
President Cleveland's heart, became strong
er force than ever. He beCan ne now thor
oughly in love, and at the time he was elected
President he determined that he would pro-
pose during the first year of the AdministTa-
ton. He felt very delicate about 1T, how
ever, for the reason that Miss Folsom was so
much younger than himself, and that
she loved him, and he knew that
he was more and more in love with her
every day. This was the state of affairs
when Miss frankie and her mother came at
his invitation to spend week or so at the
White House during the last Easter vaca-
tion. They thoroughly enjoyed the visit
President Cleveland was being exalted to the
skies in the newspapers, and the air of
toadying Washington was full of his praises
The warm White House was very beautiful
in contrast with cold New Ork. The grass
was beginning to creep out OF the ground.
and the buds were showing signs of bursting
forth into the leaves of early spring The
crOcuses were in bloom. The Presidents
mansion was filled with flowers from its
green houses, and the great conServatOries
were one mass of blossoms and green. 1t
was the day after the reception and the
family had Just eaten their dinner from
the elegant china and fine cut glass of the
up the elegant bouquet du corsage which was
laid beside her plate, and had pinned into
the lace at her neck. President Cleveland
contrary to his usual costum, came to the
table in full dress. His day had been a
pleasant one, and he was feeling very good
humOred. The dinner passed off very agree
ably. Miss Folsom was talking of her school
days, and she kept the party in roar of
laughter by her stories of Wells College and
the secret love affairs of the beautiful girls
who attended it. She had never seemed
happier, and the President thought he had
never seen her look more beautiful. After
the dinner which lasted about one hour. the
party adjourned to the Blue parlor for
moment, and then began to scatter, Miss
Cleveland going up stairs and Mrs Folsom
settling herself back into a chair aud devot-
ing her attention TO story which she was
reading, Miss Folsom and the President
were talking together, standing at the door
leading into the corridor, and looking at the
portraits of the Presidents which line its
walls A moment later they strolled down
toward the East room, aud then strClled arm
in arm into the conservatory. This was
dimly lighted, and the air was full of roses.
They walked up and down its aisles between
tie banks of flowers for perhaps a full half
hour, talking earnestly, and their voices
were as tender as the forget-me-nots they
passed and their conversation, decidedly
personal to themselves, was under the rose
in more senses than one. They came from
the conservatory with a happy look upon
their faces. Miss Folsom was blushing
.,.! ana the President held in his
'.-' % red rose from her bouquet du corsage.
IT,, -rfagt men; bad been made in the con-
sst..'Iy II was not announced to Mrs.
F...'n until p day or two later, and
@ Ms Cleveland even later still. Shortly
Ills Miss Folsom wrote to her grand
telling him of Der proposed marriage,
90 Grandfather Folsom who was withal
h' ftilow, proposed at once that Miss
f ..u be- taken to Europe and spend some
ia va travel to fit herself for the position
she ~ 80 assume as the first lady OF the
Ia He offered to furnish the money, and
as he liked the President he was enthusiastic
on the subject of the marriage. The Faro
pean trip was afterward talked over with the
President. 1t was finally agreed upon, and
the grandfather agreed to furnish enough
money for a magnificent wardrobe for the
bride. The whole affair was to be kept a
strict secret, and the marriage was to take
place Immediately upon the return of Miss
Folsom from Europe.