The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-14
THE MAN AND THE MAIn
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THE MAN AND THE. MAIN
The old story. retoId again and again since 1t
found IT'S first telling in Eden has been told
more IN Newport And IT'S recital there
has set society agog. Men and women. compla-
cent In the presence of the contemplated union
Of a divorced millionaire with an aspiring
young woman, are Mortified and scandalized by
the eopement and marriage OF young John
Geraghty and eighteen ear-old Julie French.
But why? Because forsooth, the husband hap
pens rot TO have entree into the circle Of the
most conspicuous members of this exclusive
set have but ono claim to aristocrany, that OF
wealth, the men and whose ancestors
created the fortunes they enjoying
superlative snobs, are surrendering reason TO
the conquest of false and ludicrous emotional
ism. While Newport RACES, it Is probable that
the country at large. gleeful at the ridiculous
spectacle of astigmatic aristocracy in impo-
tent bevilderment and indignant bewailing be-
cause of a love match. applauds the 'ndepend-
ence and courage Of the young couple whose
troth plighted at the shrine of cupid. All
the world despises matrimonial alliance, the
sordid motive of which is the hope of social or
financial advantage. All the world loves n
lover and wishes them well, whose union finds
birth In sincere affection.
While the social sky at Newport is black
with storm clouds. the and the maid are
happy In the prospect of lifetime companion
ship that promises the fulfllment of their
fondest hopes The Lutte Is tuned to the har-
monies of love in that simple cottage, where
mutual devotion finds its refuge, and rhapsody
reigus in pure young hearts. while they listen
to the music that since the beginning has
seemed to lovers like the strains of an angel
harp. This bold young Romeo, looking into
the eyes of his fair young Juliet. at this
moment discern no prophecy save of the sweet
t-st bitss. Tho common Ills of life await their
future experience, and lurking in the path be-
You'd are the woes that are certain to beset
them but only the soft glamor of love now
lends its radiance to tho way and present hap
6iness is secure In the fact that future con.
ttngcncy hides It's ugly form in the early mo-
ments of the lovers honeymoon. Whoever gazes
with apprecatiye imagination upon this scene
will wish for them that the flowers may con.
tinna to. bloom and tina birds to sing they
walk hand In hand along the pathway they have
chosen.
Reported interviews indicate such rational
quality of mind and such a sane realization
Of present situation, as lend value to the hope
that the union may be fortunate He
asserts that he has but welded the willing
mar of hat ha
her in comfort and that he has done nothing
for which he proposes to apologize or ask for
giyeness In the sheer joyousness of his con-
quest he seems to say. with loves light wings
did I oerperch these walls.
For stony limits cannot hold love out"
The bride asserts. with fullest confidence,
her happiness in the successful contamination
OF the union. She had weighed the cost. and,
over against the shams and frivolities Of go
cial life which she detested, she glories in the
prospects of domestic happiness with the man
Of her heart. Rather would she pass her days
with a real man, outside Of the charmed circle
says she, than be forced to continue associa-
ton and contract relationship with the vapd
innane gallants who formerly lowered about
her.
The sympathies Of those, who are not captive
to the artihcialities and superfcialites of
selfconsttuted society. win gladly give them
selves to John Goraghty and Julie French. But
those sympathies will not prevent the sane
and sober realization that they have INDUCED
a dangerous experiment Not in any spirit of
snobbishness, but with the serious recogni.
ton Of situation, we must confess that
union of parties far separated by the condt
lions OF former living and association Is big
with possibilities of failure and uuhapplness
After the first blush OF new found Joy is
gone will come the >time when the stern reali.
ties OF life must be faced In this day of read
justment there is peril 1t Is problem that
none solve but themselves. 1t win demand
mutual bravery of spirit and bigness Of heart.
the possession Of which time alone can reveal
For the sake of the oldtime conception, that
sincere affection compensates for lack OF else
and furnishes resource for the overthrow Of