The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-30
ELOPERS SURPRISED
BY WEDDING GUESTS
Miss Helene D. Engel and
Fiance Find Relatives at
Clergyman's House.

Although their engagement had been
announced early in the summer and an
elaborate wedding planned for the fall
Miss Helene d. Engel. daughter Of Mr.
and Mrs. David L. Engel. and Samuel
J. Steinberger. both prominent in Wash
ing;On society. decided 10 throw conven-
tion TO the winds yesterday and elope-
The utmost secrecy was observed in the
hasty preparations. yet when the couple
drove UP 10 the residence OF the Rev.
Louis Stern, 1915 Columbia road, in an
automobile. accompanied only by Mrs.
Benjamin WoIberg and Philip Schwartz
who were 10 act as matron of honor and
best man, and walked into the house
;hey found almost d score of relatives
awaiting them.
What had been planned as an elopo-
1nent was turned into a semi-formaI
wedding The brides father was there,
and Smlllngly gave her in marriage
Some one had given away their elope-
ment plans. but who il was the couple
have not discovered. The relatives
planned their surprise with just as much
secrecy as the clipping couple, but they
were more fortunate IN keeping II from
the bridal party.
The party OF four was not aware Of
the presence of the, others in Rabbi
Stems home until they were ushered
into the parlOr. They paused on the
threshold in amazement while their
relatives stood smiling at them Miss
lTma Stern struck up MendelSsOhn :
wedding march, and they were almost
overcome.
fielding Feast Planned, Too
An impromptu wedding dinner has
been arranged at Forest Glen by the rel
atives. and thither the would-be clippers
we're taken after the ceremony. BY the
&c
made by the families were gone through
there was little semblance of a hasty
elOpement remaining. Mrs. Steinberger
said afterward she was never so sur
pTiSed in her life as when she beheld
the gathering in RABBI Stern 5 parlor.
Miss Engeis wedding gown was one
which SHE had worn TO a wedding IN
Baltimore a few days ago at which she
was bridesmaid and Mr.. Steinberger
best lHan- II was a beautiful princess
and empire gown OF valenciennes and
Irish point lace. The tulle veil which
she wore was that worn by the matron
of honor. Mrs. WOllberg. sister Of the
bridegroom, at her own wedding, and
brought to Rabbi Stern's home for the
occasion The bride also carried white
bound Bible from which was suspended
a shower Of lilies of the valley. Mrs.
Wollberg wore a dainty white enbrold-
cred batiste gown, with large black
picture hat, and carried shower bou-
Quet Of Bride roses.
Relatives Attend Ceremony.
After the ceremony Mr.. and Mrs.
Steinberger held an impromptu recep-
ton, but the bride and groom had not
yet gotten over the surprise given them.
In the party were Mr.. and Mrs. d. L.
Engel, parents of the bride; Mrs. Fannie
Kaufman. grandmother of the bride
groom; Mr.. and Mrs. Charles r. Beers,
brother-in-law and sister Of the bride
groom; Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin Wollberg,
brOtheT-in-law and sister Of the bride
groom; Lawrence D. Engel, and Archie
D. Engel, brothers OF the bride.
Later in the evening Mr.. and Mrs
Steinberger left Washington for a brid-
al trip 10 Baltimore by water, the
bride wearing a white linen travelling
suit Upon their return they will make
their home at Forest Glen for the sum-
meT and in the fall will go 10 house
keeping in Washington.
An interesting fact in connection with
the wedding service was the fact that
thirty years ago DIT. Stern had OffCi-
ated at a similar service for the brides
parents.
Both bride and bridegroom are vel
known and exceedingly popular in
Washington society. They have always
made their home here. Mrs Steinberg-
er has a decided literary bent.