The San Francisco call., 1908-05-10

Joe Letter still continues to be the
theme most discussed in Washington
society. Indeed the rumored alliance
between Miss Elkins and the duke of
AbruZzi did not serve to stir up more.
mild excitement than the fact that
Joe" Letter had finally capitulated TO
Dan Cupid.
For To- these many years Mr.. Letter
has been the object of the managerial
wiles of mammas whose buds grew into
girlhoed, blossomed and finally settled
down into more or less staid matrons,
while TO all intents Joe" Letter re-
mained confirmed bachelor.
This winter Mr.. Letter. to the sur
prise of all, reappeared in. the haunts
which have not known him for
decade. He became an active factor In
the winter times gayeties; he gave
auto runs to the country clubs and he
was seen at all the smart functions.
Early in the winter rumor had 1t that
he was 10 marry Katherine Elkins, and
Immediately vigorous denials were
made by the Elklns family.
The gossips had merely gotten on the
wrong track, for those whose intimacy
with the prospective bride and BRIDE
groom warrants their speaking ad-
visedly declare the engagement recently
announced has been an open secret for
several months An auto trip 70 Vir-
ginia, where all sorts of untoward IN
cidents tended to increase the hilarious
enjoyment of the occasion, is reputed
to have brought affairs TO proper cli-
max and almost Immediately upon the
return OF the group of tourists the
status Of affairs was made pubic.
BRIDE ELECT a LEADER
All Of Mr-Leiter's sisters sought
husbands among English houses Of
he e their 0nlV
brother found his countrywomen more
attractive than the young maids among
his sisters English relatives and asso-
ciates is proof of the redoubtable
bachelors patriotism or his good taste.
AS for the bride elect, nobody Won
ders that she made a good catch. She
came out last year and at once took
( her place in a circle composed of close
10 100 aspirants for social honors.
Taller than most Miss Williams is
more than ordinarily attractive. She
/ has supple, well rounded figure, her
head is a mass Of silky blonde hair,
her eyes are clear and bright and full
of life and her temperament is of the
up and doing sort that contributes
materially to the entertainment OF
those with whom she associates.
SO far as years go, she is yet under
20. but those who know her intimately
/ accredit her with a certain shrewd
! knowledge of the world that gave her
good lead over her sister debutantes.
/ She always dresses well, she dances
well she talks well, and with health
and youth to her credit Miss Williams
has a fund Of endurance that enabled
the rose TO bloom in her fair cheeks
and the FIRE TO burn in her blue eyes
! even though seven days in the week
We're turned into "A by extending night
/ into the day after.
OBJECTS TO ATTENTION
Mrs. Letter is accredited with help
I ing things along at a lively rate and
just at present all is couleur de rose in
the Letter and Williams families. I'm
imediately following the announcement
Mrs Letter had telephone" tea for
the bride elect, supplementing this
more intimate fete with two large at
homes, which occurred within few
days of each other. Wherever Letter
and Miss Williams appear they are
promptly made the objects of distin-
guished attention. and everything from
the superb sapphire engagement ring
TO the cluster of gardenias worn by
the newly affianced maiden are topics
I Of discussion.
Miss Williams, who is the eldest of
the three daughters of Colonel and
Mrs. J. r. williams. will, by her mar
riage on June 10, become sister in law
10 the countess of Suffolk formerly
Miss Marguerite Letter. and to Mrs.
Colin Campbell, formerly Miss Nancy
Letter
Close on the heels of this interesting
wedding announcement comes the sotto
voce gossip that Miss Elkins and the
duke of -Abruzzi are to be married in
June. Miss Elkins meanwhile going
into the house of Savoy with all the
rank and privileges of the ducal es-
tate.
CONTACT WITH ROYALTY
supplementing this nearby excite
ment came the announcement from
England Of the engagement of Miss
Jean Reid and Hon. Mr.. Ward. and
once again the tea table takers
found themselves reinforced with a
brand new topic. Miss Reid. upon her
visits at the capital, was one of the
most admired girls in the smart set.
Her geniality, affability, quick wit and
general attractiveness are now recalled,
and that her choice will neeessitate a
foreign residence is the only note OF
discord introduced in the pean OF
praise. The position of the prospective
bridegroom will bring the young Amer
/ lean girl into direct contact with royal
ty thus adding another to the long list
Of American women who hold COM
mandlng positions in the society of the
old world
Dated for May 27 is the wedding of
Miss Edith Sanger, daughter of General
and Mrs. Joseph Prentice Sanger, and
Vaudeville Carlisle, while May 2S will
witness the marriage of Miss Elizabeth
Shaw oliver, daughter of the assistant
secretary of war and Mrs. Robert Shaw
Oliver and Francis X. Stevens of New
York. Miss Oliver made her debut in
Washington several years ago, and
while not at all the spectacular type
has gone in for all the good times q
clever girl may have in capital society
! Her best chum was Miss Josephine Du-
rand, daughter of the former ambassa-
dor from Great Britain and Lady Du-
rand. Indeed the English diplomats
I daughter and Miss oliver were almost
fnseparable and the summer after tbs
4 Durands returned to England Miss Oh
liver went over and stayed severa
months as guest at their Englisf
home stevens is a Yale man, glass OF
81.
two ARMY MATCHES
An engagement of wide interest JUS
orno,,rced ie that of Miss I,ucretif