Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-05-16
THE ROMANCE OF HELLIE
GRANT SARTORlS

The engagement Of Vivian Sartoris,
Grant, to Archibald Balfcur, q barris-
ter of London, is peculiarly significant.
There are those who even say it is
peculiarly sad.
When General Grants daughter. Mel
lie, became engaged to Algernon Sar-
toris a son of the English gentry, inter-
national marriages were rarer than
they are today. Her father, the SOL
der idol of the nation, openely ex-
pressed his doubts and fears for her
happiness. He shared them with the
nation who looked upon pretty little
Nellie as its child.
But, being wise, he gave his consent.
He knew that his daughter had al
ready given her heart without it.
The great American soldier realized
before his death that his misgivings
had had foundation.
If he had lived lorger his doubts and
fears on the subject of international
marriages would have been aroused
again, first, by the marriage of his
granddaughter, Julia Dent Grant, to
the Russian prince Cantacuzene, now
by the engagement of Vivian, eldest
daughter of Nellie Grant Sartoris. to
Archibald I3alfour.
Love matches, every one of them!
not attest the happiness of the Rus
sian princess
The romance of her cousin Vivian is
British from start to finish.
1t is even reported that the wedding
bells may be rung in London at the
house of her aunt, Mrs. Gordon, whom
she is now visiting.
But before we begin to talk of orange
blossoms and wedding bells, there re-
mains to be told the most interesting
part of any courtship-the beginning.
Many Americans who have seen Wv
ian Sartoris can quite understand why
Archibald Balfour has cabled over to
her mother that he has fallen in love.
Five years ago she was introduced to
the social world of Washington. Stand
Ing between Mrs. Grant and her mother
She was the subject from afternoon tn
night of a battery of admiring glances.
They were so kindly that she smiled
under them and grew even lovelier, as
a bud might in the sunshine.
On that day she attained a reputa-
ton for beauty that has chung to her.
In appearance she is much more
English than American, in feeling she
American wholly. Two years ago she
refused even to consider an English
match. but that was two years ago,
and Mr.. Archibald Balfour had but iv ST
come into her horizon.
At twenty, who would expect a girl
to have the same ideas She has at
twenty-five?
At twenty Miss sartoris went over
to England to visit her late fathers
sister, Mrs. Gordon, just for two
months. The occasion was the mar
riage of her daughter to an officer in
the British army. Vivian was to be
bridesmaid.
rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed, with the
charm of a smile that is half mis-
chievous and half appealing. When
Vivian Sarto1:s smiles she half closes
her eyes and her long black lashes veil
them seductiyely.
On this occasion she was happy, and
she smiled occasionally. 1t was thus
aware of her existence. He was a guest
at her cousins wedding.
1t has since been affirmed that Mr..
Balfour began his suit that day. He
instituted himself Miss Vivian's spec
ial partner by right chiefly of his per-
sistency. 1t is fact that wherever
she turned he was at her elbow. He
pointed out the people to her that she
did not know, and told her of his life
and learned much OF hers. She boast
ed to him of her American blood in a
Spirit or bravado, but at the same time
she revealed the English strain in her.
She said she gloried in both, and that
some day. after she had had another
session in Washington, she would let
him know to which her heart inclined
most.
Meanwhile ne look every pains to
help bias her decision. Florists were
called upon to do their best, and little
Miss Sartoris found her English path
way really bed of roses. Archibald
Balfour decided that pink became
her best. and of thege he commanded
the finest to be laid at her feet.
When Vivian Sartoris asked about
him, as in course of time it was evil
dent she must. she learned that he was
Of fine old Scotch family and cous-