Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-25

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president Cleveland and tlhc Hssnuti-
sal Rkisa VAN yecsssem Of Albnny.
Boston Hereld.
The story comes from Albany that
Pregideih Cleveland is engaged to marry
M!ea VarbfF echten, a Young lady who
may Justly layolaim to being the social
leader OF The capital OF this state. The
LADY Ia tall. and most beRutifui in face
and figure, and she has many charms and
graces of manner The circle in which
she moves is one Of the most exclusive in
the United stRtes. The high society OF
Albany Ia unquestionably the most diff
cult TO penetrate Of any in the country,
and Miss Van Veohten is its central
star. She lives In splendid house di-
reotly across the street from the executive
mansion where Mr.. Cleveland, when he
was Ia office, could without difficulty have
looked into Miss Van Vechten's window.
The lady has rich complexion, dark eyes,
and wealth Of waving brown hair.
There is quite a striking resemblance be-
tween her and Miss Jennie Chamberlain,
the beautiful Cleveland girl whose per-
sonal attractiveness has been the talk of
Europe for year or two back. When
Mr.. Cleveland waa governor of New York
state, he frequently met Miss Van Vech-
ten at the various receptions which oc-
CURED at the Executive Mansion and
elsewhere in Albany, and he exhibited q
marked preference for her society. 1t is,
indeed, said that he took every possible
occasion to be at her side, and it is now
noticed that she is spending great deal
of her time in Washington, where few, il
any Of the social gatherings of which the
President is feature are allowed to &C
by without her presence.
She is the lady who will be reinem,
bered as one of the personaRes concerned
In curious story which had a tragic end
ing only few months ago. There is il
Albany young gentleman of great
wealth named Pruyn. Miss Van Vechte1
was at one time apparently much attached
TO him, and when she went away to tn,
Adirondacks for the summer he proposed
for her hand. She considered the matter fol
q day, and then, wishing stake plenty o.
time for the final making up of her mint
on o matter destined to affect her Who'll,
life, she asked Mr.. Pruyn to wait for hi
answer until the end of the summe
season. He urged her TO consent withou
further delay, but she was arm in her de
cision on that point, and passed on he
way. Mr.. Pruyn went to the Whit
Mountains to spend his summer, ant
while there he met the family of Ney
England clergyman. With one of the tw,
charming daughters he fell desperately il
love, and meanwhile, it is said Miss VA
Veehten accepted his proposal of MAI
rage. In reply he wrote her fran
letter telling Of the change that had com
over him, and she, with womanly gene1
osity, released him from his bargain
Thereupon he became engaged to til
clergyman's daughter.
The engagement was q most desirabl
one to the minister's family by reason G
young Mr.. Pruyn's wealth, social stand
ing and pleasant personal traits. III
young lady seemed to be highly please
with the situation, and her father, mothe
and sister most cordially urged the sui
of the young Albanian. A day wa
finally set for the ceremony, and, Just O
the eve of its approach, the prosperity
bride eloped and went to Europe with
young cotton broker of New York, wit
whom she had fallen desperately in love
The results of that act have been extraol
binary. The clergyman is reported I
have become mental wreck, and
believe The mother and second daughtt
are both dead. Young Mr.. Pruyn WI
terribly broken up by this series {
events, and the talk of Albany society
Z that-he is going through life at gait n,
calculated to extend the term of h
earthly career. The part played by Mi
Van Yechten in this tragic affair was
all times dignified and womanly, and
fate has been unkind to MIR. Pruyn, it al
pears, at least, to have contented itse
with treating him TO a dose of his ov
medicine.