Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-26
IN DOR LILLY Poor rirl,'n

L
That is the way those who knew
her in youth are speaking of Null
timillionaircss Mrs. Flager, who died worth
between seventy and eighty million dollars,
but nearly bankrupt in happiness.
Down in the North Carolina woods, where
she was born, where she grew into pretty
grlhood and womanhood that was opucnt
in charm, they remember that it was Mary
Lilly Kcnan's creed that every one is en-
titled to happiness.
II am not sure that the world owes us q
living. We may have to work hard for that"
she said, but surely we will find happiness
If we seek it," So the North Carolina girl
set out in her search for happiness.
She nearly found it at Monticello. Up
among the tall evergreen trees that looked
upon the honeymoon of Thomas Jefferson,
when he brought his bride behind him on
horse to their log cabin home. and where he
played a fiddle for b entertainment, Lilly
Kenan, of Kcnansvilie, nearly found that
the possession of which she believed is the
inahenable human right
friend invited her to visit her at Char
lottesville, Va "Comc during Commence
ment week of the University of Virginia. the
friend babe her ''Thcre will be dances and
alt: sorts of delightful times. The students
are charming chaps from all over The South -
Miss Kenan, whose friends dropped her
invitation. She sat delnurely in the chapel
listening to the. baecalaurcatc sermon. She
strolled about the grounds and explored the
white marble buildings, atop the hill, Of the
Most picturesque university in America. Ro-
nance seemed to brood among the trectops
1t was reflected in the faces Of the fine, stall
Wart youths who came in and out at the great
doors, and who looked with open but respect
ful admiration into the glowing face Of the
gil%from North Carolina
but particularly did il shine for her from
the face of Robert w. Bingham The hand
some youth with the face that reflected keen
intelligence and high character, was one Of
the class that was graduated that year
He's from Louisville. KY. OF very fine
family, whispered her friend. as the Young
man stepped upon the platform to deliver his
Grafton. 1t was as clevcrly crude as most cf-
forts of the kind, but TO Lilly kenan it was
an inspired effort, and the youth who made
twas headed straight for the Presidency of
the United States, to her mind
She was one Of the first to congratulate
him. That pretty girl should so highly rate
his effort added much Joy to the elation of
the day for him. He met her again at the
ball that evening. She was very pretty in
her white gown, far the prcttiest girl there
ne was sure. Each day during the week they
met.
1A'et wa0i "ciiI iioiHc lheFc were some
letters Then the difficulties that are of
mountain height and weight to youth pre-
sented themselves to the young people
Her dreamed-of, believcd-m, ardently OK
pected happiness was not for her at that time.
Nevertheless she still believed in her creed.
1T was waiting for her farther on the road Of
life, she was confident, that elusive thing the
existence of which many doubted happiness.
She was grazing thirty and North Caro-
linlans about Kcnansville mourned that "L;llv
Kenan was going to be an old maid Such a
fine, likely girl, too.' when again happiness
beokoned her.
~it came IN manner most unexpected and
dazzling. Henry Flagler, the uncrownec lnc
OF Florida, met and admired her To meet
Lilly Kenan was to admire her AL North