The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-24
Telegram From Chicago
Brings Great Joy to
the Elopers.
HONEYMOON IN FLORIDA
Pleasant Ending of a Love
Romance Begunin Classic
Did Georgetown.

Parental pardon and the family bless-
Ing have been extended 70 Mrs. John
Thomas Varnell. formerly Marie Cecflie
Sullivan. who eloped from Georgetown
Visitation Convent and was married on
Friday at Rockville
While seated at dinner in the Raleigh
last night Mr.. ana Mrs varnen re-
ceived dispatch from the father OF
the bride assuring the runaways of the
forgiveness or himself and Mrs. SuIli-
van.
Thus the vicissitudes Of pretty ro-
nance are happily concluded.
Went to Georgetown.
The father OF the bride. John sui,f-
van. is manager Of the Swift packing
houses. in Chicago. The groom is a
Washingtonian. a former student AZ
Georgetown University. and once star
member of the Blue and Gray track
team.
To become his bride. Miss Sullivan left
the convent walls last Wednesday on
the plea OF attending a wedding. She
attended the ceremony. and instead OF
returning to the convent went vsth
friends and passed thsstI Irigst and me
following in hiding as their guest on
FRIDAY morning the couple wended their :
way 10 WashingtOn's Gretna Green.
Wnere their own nUptial knot was tied.
Mr. and Mrs. VarneI will remain ar
the Raleigh for a few days. and viii
then depart for Florida. where they will
spend several months
The romance OF Marie Cecilie sullivan
and John Thomas Varneu. her devoted
and successful suitor, began two years I
ago at an indoor athletic meet. held A
/ Convention, II.II ,F
versity. AT this meeting young varnen.
then just nineteen. was introduced TO
Miss Sullivan. then sixteen.
The young collegian, for Varnen was
then attending Georgetown University.
obtained an introducticn TO the beautI-
ful Chicago girl. whose rich brown hair
and dark gray eyes so fascinated him,
and he devoted himself 10 her After
that night he saw her whenever chance
permitted.
With the approach Of s2ringtime the
couple grew impatient OF the rare op-
portuniSies offering of seeing each other
as when Miss Sullivan went out 10 see
her dressnaker or escaped from the
convent walls upon other pretext. They
grew bolder. and young Varnen stormed
the convent walls 70 see his lady love.
Meditation Undisturbed.
Back of the convert building is a
quadrangle On the far side OF this
quadrangle stands pump In the dusk
OF spring evenings. between supper time
and study hour. the fair convent girls
are accustomed TO saunter about this
quadrangle. in maiden meditation. un-
disturbed by the presence OF the SIS
ters
From the grandstand on Georeetowa
athletic field it is but short way 10 the
convent quadrangle. IL one is acquaint-
ed with the tOrIuOus and narrow Bath-
ways that lead through the thick shrub
berries that lie between Varneil and a
fellow-student knew these pathways az
the house cats know the alleys. and OF
their knowledge they made good use. to
the end that they would wander. at
eVentide- when the Sun had sunk TO
rest In the cradle of the West. (as the
Georgetown boys would sing). over 10
that edge Of those bushes which lie
close to the aforesaid pump.
To slake the thirst OF n warm even
ing, Miss Sullivan and a convent friend =
would HE them TO the pump The old
sweet song VS. sung to the music OF the
pump handle.
But nuns are not always blind, ana
the good Sisters of the Visitation at
last became suspicious Their ideas
were communicated to che convent gar
dener- An occasional 81 oliver shot was
thereafter fired at sl=c -4ted marauderS,
and dogs were set upon them The bull
lets and the dogs alike provoked silent
laughter on the part OF the coIegians.
and their visits continued
Journey to Chicago.
AT the close OF the scholastic year
Miss Sullivan went homo 20 her parents
in Chicago. Young Warn Vowed
tarried in the Windy c
weeks. calling frequently
home. The head of the
too cordial TO the young
He was not intimidated
In September Mrs w
New York. a mutual fri,
ers. invited them to a he
house party lasted thr,
when IL was over Miss
back TO the convent. a
tober The clandestine
tinued. and when EIiss
home for the Christmas
found Varnell in Chicago
he having gone aheaS. They came
back together
Finally they decided they must Be
married That was about week ago
Knowing they would never obtain the
consent OF the brides parents. they
made up their minds to elope Feeling
that he could not manage the afralr
alone. NJ, Varnen called on James A..
Hendley. who has known the bride for