The Washington times., 1913-07-20
ELUDES PARENTS AND
. ELOPES WITH FIANCE
Pretty Capital Girl Evades
. FamiIy's WatchfuIneSs and
i Weds Man of Choice.

Honeymoonng somewhere in one of
Connecticuts numerous summering
places today, where kilograms and let
tiers from anxious parents of the bride,
or congratulations from their friends
cannot be delivered, is a young couple
whose marriage in New York three
weeks ago becomes public for the first
time this afternoon, and about whom
hundreds of Washingtonians will be in
terested.
Three weeks ago, pretty Eochraine
Lee, the nineteen-year-old daughter of
Ralph W. Lee, for years employed in
the War Department, disappeared from
the home of her parents. 14O5 Newton
street northwest, leaving a note that
she was going to New York to meet
and marry Sideny witherington, the
man Of her choice.
Two days later, the family, which
already had broken up housekeeping,
departed for California, taking with
them the secret of their daughter
marriage. That it became public today
was the merest accident. The family,
for two days kept the note they re-
ceived from the young woman a secret
and gave the impression that the young
woman would accompany them on the
California trip.
Behind the elopement and subsequent
marriage lies a romance filled with
thrills and dramatic incidents rare,
even during these Gays OF sensational
MARRIAGES The story of Row the young
woman thwarted the plans OF her
parents to have her accompany them
to California against her will, reads IKE
a picture scenario.
She sent her mother and father from
the Emerson street home on the night
of the elopement by shrewd means, ana
tim, having them safely out of the
way for a few hours, sne packed her G
grip placed a dummy in the bed IN
her sleeping room, and caught a fast
train for New York. This is but one
feature of the marriage.
How the family, on returning from
the short visit upon which their daugh-
ter had sent them, went to her room
and saw what they believed to be the
young woman fast asleep, and were un-
aware of her departure until late the
next day, became known only this after-
noon. 1t was too late to apprehend the
would-be bride then, and SO the family
decided to destroy the note, keep its
contents a secret and depart without
her. This was done.
Mrs. witherington met her husband
several months ago on house party
II was HOI a case VI lONG oA III 81 SAeAAN'
which also makes of the marriage
unique one. They corresponded con-
tinuously. and Mr.. witherington came
to Washington several times and saw
the young woman as often as possible
At the time the present Mrs. Wither-
ington was in the Georgetown Convent
A few weeks ago the mother of Mr.
Lee died in California, leaving an
estate valued at S93, 600. as well as nu-
merous Jewels The latter were willed
to her granddaughter. Mr.. Lee found
IL necessary to go to California to care
for the estate, and soon afterward re-
signed his position at the War De-
partment and announced that he would
take his family with him to the Golden
Gate State. where the would reside.
His daughter had but little to say to
this. She bided her time, got in COM
munication with her husband-to-be.
and. after numerous telephone con-
versations. the elopment was planned
and later carried out
The bridegroom is a native of Con-
nectIcut, and is but little known in
Washington. The bride is one of the
prettiest girls in the Capitals younger
set. What their future plans are no one
knows.