Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-29
UP-TO-DATE ROMANCE
MISS BOURNE WILLrWED MAN
SHE RAN DOWN IN AUTO,

an automobile crash on a lonely Long
Island road three years ago will sound
out today in the music of wedding bells.
when Miss Florence Bourne, daughter of
Commodore Frederick s. Bourne and
heiress to his plentiful millions, is married
to Arson Wales Hard. tr.
Literally flung together by the eccen.
tricities OF steering wheel the two pop
ular young people became engaged within
a year Of their accident. For sentiments
sake they are going to spend their honey
moon In the car that caused the lucky
smash. though young Mr.. Hard has sew
eral machines of his own, and in the gar.
age of Commodore Bourne there are no
less than sixteen.
1t all came about thus: Commodore
Bourne. himself an ardent motorist. d.
rected that each OF his eight children
should learn to operate a car and in the
summer of 1905 they began taking lessons.
Miss Florence selected as her machine a
big forty-horsepower French car, and in
a few days was able to drive 1t about the
grounds OF their Long Island home
Started on Eventful Trip.
Then, one proud day. she started forth
on the lonely Oakdale road. leaving her
chauffeur behind. All went well until, on
nearing a curve, another machine whizzed
toward her.
The excitement was too much. The
French car. under Miss Bourne's nervous
guiding, wabbled from one side Of the
road to the other. It's last maneuver took
1t directly I'm the path Of the approa ching
machine. guided by a young man.
There was a crash and q rip, and then
indignant young Mr.. Hard was gazing at
his brand-new car. minus a fender and
scratched out of all its pristine shininess,
Also a very sorry and pathetic Miss
Bourne was gazing tearfully at the wreck.
Her own car, being heavier. was unhurt.
1t Is said that Mr.. Hard was so much
affected that he hurried his machine
around a curve and gave proper vent to
his feelings. Within q few days. how
ever. he listened to an apology. Shortly
thereafter he became q constant visitor to
Indian Neck Hall. the Bournes' home at
Oakdale.
This is. perhaps. the most magnificent
place on Long Island. 1t cost more than
half Of one of the commodore's many
millions. which he gained as head Of the
Singer Sewing Machine Company. it is
an immense palace. in the old colonial
style, with beautiful artificial lake sur
rounded by marble walks. Its arrange
ments are perfect. from its art decora-
lions down to its individual Turkish baths
Bournes Love Outdoor Sports.
Commodore Bourne, who gets his title
from having held that post in the New
York Yacht Club. has instilled his own
love of outdoor sports into his children
They all motor. sail, ride and GOLF The
commodore several years ago built a
great toboggan slide on his estates so that
the children might enjoy that winter
sport.
The wedding today will be in st. Bar
tholomew's Church. Miss Marjorie
Bourne. a younger sister. will attend the
bride. while De Courcy L. Hard will be
best man for his brother. The ushers will
be James e. Miller, ]. Harry Alexander.
jr, Seymour johnson. Philip Boyer. Clar-
ence c. Pell Theodore p. Dixon, Bernon
s. Prentice and George Bourne.
reception at the Hotel Gotham. where
the Bournes have been spending the win
ter, will follow the ceremony. The young
people will start for Europe then. taking
with them their favorite automobile. in
which they will tour the continent.
Mr.. Hard's home is at No. II East S0th
street. He is member Of the Racquet
and Tennis and the Rockaway Hunt
clubs.