The Detroit times., 1910-01-01
MISS TAFT's VISIT !.
PLEAsEs SOCIETY.
Presidents Daughter Visits National
Capital for Holdays-Diplo-
mats In Mourning.

4 wASHINGToN,s Jan. I--Am6ng the
many Washington girls who are over
soverjoyed at having Miss Helen
Taft among, them for the holiday sea-
son there were none more pleased To
see the FIRST young lady of the land"
than Miss Taft's special friend and in
ftimste, Miss Marjpry Aleshire. The
Friendship OF these two girls is OF the
closest kind. and they have known
each other always. Indeed, Mrs. TAFT
IS Miss Aleshire's godmother, while
the wife of Gen. Aleshire also acted In
that capacity for the only daughter of
Judge and Mrs. Taft.
Marjory Aleshire and Helen Taft
became fast friends when both were
tiny girls with short skirts and hair
in pigtails. This was In the Philip
pines, where Judge Taft was governor
and Brlg.-Gen. James r. Aleshire OF
the quartermaster department was on
duty there. The two childhood friends
cid not then anticipate that one of
them would so shortly live in the
White House and the other be well
come visitor there at all times. They
played children's games together and
even then learned to be fearless rid.
ers, taking many long jaunts around
Manila on the native ponies. Then
Marjory Aleshire's father was ordered
back to the states, and Helen Taft's
father became secretary of war IL
was not many years after that the
girls met again--this time in Washing
ton-and the companionship begun in
the far-off islands was resumed.
Miss Aleshire is typical army girl.
She has developed into a remarkably
graceful and accomplished horsewo-
man. and her greatest diversion is 20
tanter through the Virginia Bride
maths with a party OF friends. easily
the most attractive figure In the group.
She is an exceptionally pretty girl. is
a bright conversationalist. and Is ey-
tremely popular not only In army
circles but throughout society.
Miss Taft's friendships lie largely
among army girls, as she was prac.
tically reared under the flag. Much OF
her life was spent in the Philippines
and her first knowledge Of society was
gained at army posts.
Another army girl who is a great
favorite of Miss Taft's is Miss Sally
Darlington. daughter OF Gen. Ernest
Darlington. Miss Darlington Is w
yacious girl, who sings well, rides
veil. Is a gifted amateur actress,
brilliant talker and withal one of the
most popular girls In society. She Is
blonde beauty. with the fairest OF
hair and the bluest OF eyes.
II is but natural that happenings OF
the serious side of life should not al
feet the buoyancy Of these young
girls They leave that TO their elders.
society's Plans Upset.
All the welllaid plans of the dipio-
matte corps, which are more or less
directly connected with the plans ot
the rest OF Washington society. have
leone a.glee and have been subjected
10 hasty and reluctant readjustment,
owing TO the recent deaths OF three
royal. persohages. one OF them relAn'
ing monarch, King Leopold, When
the members OF the diplomatic corps
nay their respects 10 President Toit
nj the White House this morning,
leading the long file OF ciu-
gems whose reception by tho
chief Executive marks the formal
opening OF the official season. the
members OF three OF the most hosplt.
able of diplomatic households will be
iobserying period OF mourning.
At the Russian Embassy Baron
and pyroness Rosen, and the other