The Washington times., 1904-08-11
LOVE OF HUSBAND BEGAN
IN ETHEL'S BABYH00D

NEW YORK, Aug. n--Answerlng
statements made by his mother-In-law,
Louis Watkins, OF 4So West 124th Street.
told the whole story of his love for his
wife, their courtship and secret mar
riage
Beginning with his holding baby Ethel
on his lap and singing her TO sleep, he
says his love for the child grew with
each wear and when, at the early age Of
eight she gave promise Of being beau
Iiful woman, he told both Mr. and Mrs
Smith, who had long been his friends.
that when their youngest daughter was
old enough he would marry her.
Her artistic talents appealed strongly
70 me" said Watkins, and my influence
has really been my Wi1e's inspiration In
her art work.
Now an Instructor will cCme to our
home and give her lessons in French
and two or three other languages. She
Will go right on and finish her educa-
ton just the same as she would have
done IN her fathers home.
Married Six Weeks.
"As to my being engaged to her sister
Louise. that is entirely wrong. The i'm
preston grew out OF joke made BY my
Inother-in-law.
This summer when I went 10 visit
the Smith family Ethel and 1 decided
We would marry at once. More r six
weeks ago. saying we were going out
Tor q walk. We went 10 the pastor Of
the church Mrs. Smith attends and
were married"
In a white dress that is three or four
inches above her ankles, with her hair
tied with ribbons and hanging around
her neck, the bride. who Is not yet If
teen. came into the room.
had 70 tell the minister that ! was
eighteen" she said, and knowing there
We're four OF US girls. he supposed
was or marriageaDle age. As soon as
We We're married we went home, after
deciding to let no one know about It.
Informed Her Parents.
Two weeks later Louis went back 10
his home. II was then that he wrote
TO my father and mother. telling them
that We were married
Father went from my home TO see
him. He said that since we were mar
ried I should live in New York with
Louis. But my mother was terribly Cd
posed 70 making the marriage public.
and said must stay with her.
with my parents We went 10 Atlantic
City for two weeks. No one knew Of
our marriage. not even my sister and /
was still thought TO be Miss Smith
when We reached Philadelphia from
Atlantic city my father was compelled
TO go South on business, and our affair
reached a climax IN the Broad Street
station, when my parents tried 10 make
me promise 10 1--we at home with them
for year
Husband Demanded Her.
But Louis said, You may have our
marriage annulled. and haye me ar
rested before your train leaves, but II
Ethel IS still my wife she must come to
New York. 70 my home, and study next
winter
Just as my fathers train was leaving
Louis whispered 70 me 10 meet him IN
the Reading Terminal On an excuse
left him and my mother and shortly
after he met me
THAT was Sunday night, and there
was but one train for New York. To
avoid being caught by my mother who
wished TO keep me IN Philadelphia. we
boarded a trolley and rode several
miles, later taking slow train into
New York"
We have planned an ideal life," said
Watkins oh. yes, Ethel is just a
child Why, we have not even had
time 70 get her any long dresses, but
that makes no difference. just so we
have her talent developed"