Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-29
PRIMADONNA YIELDS
TO NOVEL WOOING
ACCEPTS PROPOSAL MADE IN
PUBLIC
Miss Eleanor Kent Promises to Wed
Naval Surgeon Whom She Met
for the First Time Last
Week

Behind her Japanese fan on the
stage of the Auditorium last night Miss
Eleanor Kent, prima donna OF the
Edgar Temple opera company, con-
fessed that she is engaged to marry
DR.. n. l.. Dollard, surgeon on the
Rhode Island, whom she met for the
first time Tuesday night of Fleet week
and who proposed and was accepted
just forty-eight hours later. In way
the fan and the Japanese costume that
went with it were appropriate to the
announcement, since the wedding is to
take place in Japan next August or
September.
The romance moved swiftly, even In
these days when Cupid has discarded
his archaic bow and arrows for a
Maxim gun. 1t would make a pictur-
esque play, though were 1t to be placed
upon the stage doubtless the story
would be termed improbable, for DR..
Dollard, deprived of any opportunity
to see alone the woman he loved, pro-
posed and was accepted at a little
dinner party given by DR.. II. Gordon
Bayless of Los Angeles in the Indian
grill room of the Alexandria hotel.
Moreover, the proposal was overheard
by everyone in the party. Once in a
while they do such things in real life,
but imagine, if you can, proposal
like that on the stage.
Smile Leads to Meeting
Tuesday night of last week Lieut..
Commander Babin of the Rhode Island,
DR.. Dollard and several other officers
from the same ship, attended the per-
formance of "Florodora" at the Audi
torium. where a box had been reserved
for them. The lieutenant commander
and Miss Kent were old friends. Con-
sequently the nrima donna sent many
of her smiles in his direction. Her ann,
however, was not always accurate.
Some few of the smiles passed the
commander by and these DR.. Dollard
promptly appropriated for his own.
After the performance he requested
an Introduction and with Commander
Babin went back on the stage to meet
the young woman whose singing and
acting as Dolores had won his ad-
miration. A little supper party was
arranged, with Miss Kent as honored
guest. That was the beginning of the
acquaintance and before the party
broke up that night Miss Kent had ac-
cepted an invitation to visit the Rhode
Island the following Friday afternoon.
The officers promised to serve tea In
her honor and DR.. Dollard saw that
they kept their word.
On board ship he did his best to Sc
cure a few minutes alone with Miss
Kent, but his every effort was defeated
by his brother officers and he was
obliged to see his guest depart before
he had gained the coveted opportunity.
In the Indian Grill
Friday night found him again at the
Auditorium and, after the performance
again with Miss Kent in the Indian
grill room, this time as the guest OF
DR.. Bayless. The party was chap
eroned by Mrs. H. G. Stevenson, Miss
Kent's cousin. They numbered six in
all, the others being Commander Pre-
vost Babin and Lieutenant Joseph
Little.
Here again DR.. Dollard did his best
to gain a word in private with the
young woman whom he was bent upon
securing for his wife. He suggested a
stroll through the hotel. The Others
laughed at him. Finally Lieutenant
Little laughingly accused the doctor OF
being in love.
'T am" he rejoined quietly, "and
would tell the lady so, If she would
give me a chance"
This was regarded as a joke and
everyone laughed, including the chap
erone.
'It isn't at all funny" the doctor
continued when he could make himself
heard. ST mean it, and If can't say
it in private can in PUBLIC Miss
Kent, will you marry me tomorrow
morning?"
"No. DR.. Dollard, I had rather not, y
came the answer, but apparently II
lacked conviction, for the surgeon re-
turned to his attack.
"well, will you marry me later?"
I'll will think about it."
Say yes" he ordered.
eyes, well, perhaps-yes."
That was the way 1t happened. Miss
Kent, according to arrangements made
later, will go to Japan next August
with Mrs Babin, wife of the Rhode
Islands commander, and there, when
the fleet arrives, she will become the
bride of the naval officer who wooed
proposed and was accepted all in
public.