The age-herald., 1899-05-04
A ROMANCE IN
 DEWEY'S LIFE
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T-r-~N-H.
 Washington, D. C.-The story is current throughout the country that Admiral Dewey was once suitor for the hand of the Duchess D'Arcos, wife of the new min ister of Spain to the United States.
 An old naval officer, when asked for the details of the admfrals love story. said:
 s@There came to Washington about twen- ty-fve years ago family by the name of Lowery. Judge Lowery was known as one of the wealthiest men then resident here. A mansion was erected on K street, at the corner of Vermont avenue, in which enter tainments were given. Since then the man. sion has been the home of Cornelius Van derbilt and Wayne MeVeagh.
 While Washington society hocked to the home of the Lowerys at the bidding of the judge and his wife, there was another there who was particularly attractive to the young men. Miss Virginia Lowery was then in the first blush of her youthful beauty. With soft dark eyes and hair, and a completion well compared to that of a peach, she was distracting to the old as well as to the young.
 Many suitors presented themselves to
 
 or the other each was dismissed until the rumor became current that Miss Lowery had fixed her affection on one man, while another had been chosen by her father and mother Captain George Dewey had made his appearance on the scene. He was much older than Miss Lowery. He had distinguished himself in the civil war, and was slowly mounting the ladder of promo tion in the navy. He had every reason to look forward to long and useful career In his country's service, and the prospect of retirement at or near the top of the list. He had been happily married in 1867 to Miss Susie Goodwin, of New Hampshire, but she had died after five years of mar ried life, leaving him a son, to whom he was deyotedly attached.
 ''It was about five years after his wife's death that, while on a visit to Washington, Dewey met Miss Lowery. His attentions soon became marked, and when he was in the city it was matter of course to see him at the Lowery mansion He was fa- vored by the judge, who looked upon him as a man of character and of substantial qualities, though never dreaming of the position he was ultimately to fill His suit, if such it might be called, was favored by the parents, but met with an obstacle on the part of the young girl. She had already bestowed her affections on another. The favored suitor was Juan Bruneth, an att tache of the Spanish legation. The young lady's attachment to Brunett was strongly opposed by her parents.
 Whether Dewey ever brought matters to climax by proposing, I never heard directly; but at any rate he learned enough to become convinced that his suit was hopeless, and he discontinued it. But Bru- neft was scarcely less fortunate. Much as he and Miss Lowery cared for each other, he did not wish to wed her until in a position to support her properly; and she would not marry him without iaer-parents' consent This the latter were resolved they would never give, and the lovers were sep arated.
 ''Brunetti left Washington to take an- other post in the diplomatic service of his country. From his small salary he saved enough to pay a visit every few years to his sweetheart in America, and of course, they maintained a steady correspondence. Other suitors for the hand of Miss Lowery came and went. Time passed and still the case of the faithful lovers seemed as hope less as ever. l5ut a few years ago the hand of some good fairy changed the whole com pleion of things and the sweethearts were united
 tBrunetu nau an uncIe the DuKe U AT cos, whose rank was equaled only by wealth. Together with string of titles, he possessed lands, mansions and other property without limit The uncle at this time conveniently died Brunettfs father became Duke of Areos, and Brunetti was lifted from pennlless man to the position of heir to a proud title and great weal.l. The news was flashed across the Atlantic; and, in the face of the change, the parental opposition, weakened by the longl siege, gave way. But, before the match could be arranged, Brunettis father died; and he, in turn, became the Duke D'Arcos. It was as such he came to claim his bride, and old Judge Lowery finally consented to the wedding. Mrs Lowery had died some time before, her prediction that her daughter should never marry Brunetti in her life time having been fulflled.'