Evening star., 1898-07-30

From Photograph by Prince.
for her recovery She was seriously Ill
during the entire month of June but recov-
cred sufficiently to warrant her going to
Atlantic City accompanied by her husband
early in July. Her first week there was one
which gave her husband great encourage
ment, but over ten days ago a relapse oc-
CURED, and she gradually sank until death
came last night. At Atlantic City she was
attended by several physicians, including
a Philadelphia specialist, but the disease
made such rapid progress that nothing
could be done to stay it.
Mr.. Romero arrived this morning at 4
O'Clock in this city with the remains. The
funeral arrangements will be completed
during the day. The funeral will take place
Monday morning at st. Matthews Church.
Rhode Island avenue, probably at 10
o'clock.
Sketch of Mrs. Romero.
Mrs. Romero's maiden name was Miss
Lucretia Allen She was born in Philadel-
phia and spent much of her childhood
there. Her mother, Mrs. Allen, has been
in rather feeble health for the last two
years, and in June last suffered a second
stroke of paralysis, from which she is now
recovering, being with relatives in the
Catskills for the summer. She has one son,
Mr.. William Allen of New York, and made
her home with him until her health began
to fail, and her daughter was anxious to
have her here
Mrs Romero was educated at the Sacred
Heart Convent, Manhattanvile, and after
her marriage to Mr.. Romero went with him
to Mexico. She was a great favorite at the
Mexican capital, where she quickly acqur-
ed the Spanish language, which she spoke
with a correctness and fiuency that always
caused fattering comment from those to
whom it was native tongue.
Both the President of Mexico and Mrs
Diaz were devotedly attached to Mrs. Ro-
nero, and the two ladies constantly ex-
changed letters and gifts.
During the last sixteen years Mr.. Romero
has represented his country at Washing
ton, and his wife has been his strongest
ally in furthering the pleasant intercourse
between the two countries. She has been
practically an invalid the last three years,
but her indomitable will kept her up, and
few persons know of her sufferings or guess
ed that her illness was known from the
start as likely to have fatal termination
Her summers were usually given over to
complete rest. but she was always glad to
get back to Washington, of which she was
especially fond. Last summer was one full
of deep concern to her, for near by her
residence at Spring Lake Beach a friend,
whom she dearly loved, lay i'll for a month,
| until relief came in death. 1t will be
membered that upon their return to the
capital last fall Minister and Mrs. Romero
brought with them the six motheriess chill
-dren of the Guatemalan minister, whom
they could not bear to see among strangers,
until their father was able to make plans
again for a Washington home. These little
folks We're devoted to Mrs. Romero, and
frequently during the past winter they were
with her, either driving or visiting.
Personal Characteristics.
Mrs. Romero retained TO the last her
beauty, which in her youth was marked.
She had pretty, soft-brown hair and almost
correct features. Her voice and laugh were
musical and showed her bright, happy dis
position and gay temperament. She was
devoted to social life and presided i'll her
own house and at her own table with a
sweetness and dignity that were added to
every year. This gentle dignity of manner
was her great charm. Thoughtful and con-
Siderate of every ones opinions, a wise
prudence kept her from expressing her
own and this caution has been always an
envied trait with the wives of other for
eign ministers. who came to her for ad-
vice in all the little perpiexitles Of social
intercourse which confronts a newcomer 10
Washington.
Hundreds of little incidents could be told
of her devotion to her husband's country,
with her pride in and affection for ner own,
of her answering 10y atty 10 her friends
of her private charities, her personal lnin-
istrations in the homes of the sick and
helpless poor and of her unfaiEng courtesy
to every person who passed over her thres-
hold. There was no lady in Washington
official society whom it was easier. 10 see
nor could there ever have been more
poeASiit iioACiCA iiok a utUIe Tcduy
Generous Hospitality.
Until her health became precarious she
saw more visitors every day in the week
than all the other ladies in the diplomatic
corps combined. and her public receptions,
held two or three times each winter were
almost as largely attended a similar events
at the White House or at cabinet homes
These receptions were made as attractive
as possible with lights, flowers, music and
elaborate refreshments, and the gentle
hostess had always twenty or thirty assist
ants, chosen from among her friends TO
entertain her visitors. No agency has prob
ably exerted a greater influence in welding
the bonds of union between this country
and the Mexican republic than the gener-
Gus hospitality shown friend and stranger
alike at these receptions. Mrs. Romero al
ways took pains to have it announced each
season that she would hold these public re-
ceptions and that all who came would be
welcome. In her delicate health last winter
a less courageous woman would have omit
ted the usual program, but the inquiries
came from hundreds of sources as to when
she would receive; so that she felt the
omission would disappoint not only her
friends. but throngs of people whom she
had never seen but who might in the future
think of the Mexican legation with pleas
ure.
While these receptions were always
crowded with the most prominent movers
in the diplomatic, official and resident life
of tine capital there were sure to be many
other persons to whom the scene was
novel one.
1t rarely happened that any of these events
ever passed without the hostess being more
than repaid by whispered words of thanks
from quiet lady-lfke persons who had en-
Joyed brief glimpse into world of un-
| known delights. Mrs. Romero's chance re-
| marks of passing events were always so
bright and witty that many of them passed
into proverbs By her death Washington
society loses one of its leading figures who
adorned her position with every trait and