The Washington times., 1918-07-13
(: Only % and Yet This
New York, Palm Beach,
London Has to His Credit
2 Weddings, l Divorce,
1 Repudiated Engagement,
l Broken Romance and
l Suit for Stealing a

w Looping cut of the West, as Sil
Walter Scott sings, he established
a famous record for quick wooing; Dor
levels of the love chase, while Henry the
Eighth's tally for wives still remains 6
monument TO that monarch's impetuosity
and perseverance.
Is young Cuthbert Mortimer Wilmerding
son of Louis Earl Wilmerding, wealthy
scion Of an old New York family and as
well known in Paris as in New York, in
Palm Beach as in Newport, out to send
these champions into the scrap heap?
Consider young Mr.. wilmerding He is
only twenty-eight and yet he has to his
credit already two marriages, one divorce,
a repudiated engagement, lost love and
a suit for pilfering the affections of a
clothier's wife,
Clearly, Cuthbert Mortimer is a firm
believer of the old adage, "If at first you
dof succeed try. try again." and he adds.
no doubt. at once" Also he is an expert
menter.
At the childish age of twenty-five. in
1912. after possibly profound thought as to
methods, he signalized his entrance into
the matrimonial arena by getting up un-
expectedly at dinner in Paris and naiYely
announcing his engagement to the daugh-
ter of his host. This was great surprise
not only to the host and the hosts wife,
but also to'the daughter, and Mr.. Wilmer
ding's hopes we're promptly blighted on
the spot.
Clearly on the wrong track. Mr.. Wilmer
ding took year and half more to study.
His patience was rewarded by the formal
announcement in New York of his engage
ment to Miss Anna Lavelle. daughter of
the late Mr.. and Mrs. Theodore Lavelle,
also of Paris. This was all regular, but
later something went awry and the engage
ment vanished into thin air.
Not long afterward George W. Horton.
Jr., a cIothier of Yonkers, sued his wife
for divorce.
Young Mr. Wilmerding's name figured
in the proceedings. perhaps his acquain'
lance with Mrs. Horton was only in pur-
suit of further knowledge Of how to get a
wife of his own. At any rate a divorce
was granted Mr.. Horton.
Confidence, however, must have come to
him, because, in 1915. then refugee from
the war zone in France, he met another
refugee. Miss Josephine Lewis Peet, IF
Washington, and after a whirlwind court
ship, they were married. Over the skies
of their happiness soon spread a little
cloud in the shape of a suit by the afore-
said Mr. Horton for $4,000 against Mr..
Wilmerding for alternating the affections
Of his wife.
And something else still was wrong.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure" says
the proverb. Not so for Mr.. WiImerding.
Marry in haste and stop repenting as
soon as may be-" was his reading. Last
August Mrs Wilmerding secured divorce
from him, and now, in 1918, this persistent
wooer has just embarked optimistically as
ever on another romance, taking to him
self as a wife Miss Aileen Zenia McGovern.
OF Fourth avenue, New York.
Will the old records now fepose in
safety, or are there other chapters still
to be added to the interesting activities Of
Young Mr.. Cuthbert Mortimer Wilmerding?
Let US examine young Mr.. Wilmerding's
tactics from the beginning, starting in with
his initial, somewhat abrupt, effort in Paris.
At that time, and even more at home in
the French capital because she had lived
there longer was a very charming maiden
whose name was Grace Meurer. Her
Iather had been banker in Brooklyn, but,
having made his millions, spent great
part Of his time in France.
Mr.. Wilmerdings orbit happened to
cross that Of the Meurers. The lovely
Miss Grace was the cap that exploded in
Young Mr.. Wilmerding's heart the ac-
bomb of love. For a time he
followed the Meurers about quietly and
Vistfully. keeping as close as possible
whenever they dined and regarding with
Eyes of longing the object of his first great
Iassion. He showed, however, a reticence
md hesitation soon to be lost forever.
what on earth is the matter with that
1oung man? He seems to be always run
ling under our feet" said Ma Meurer one
lay to Pa.
"Well, I guess he's lonely" said Pa
deurer. "Pve noticed him, too. Never
Gems to know anybody, but always seems
o be right on our trail"
well, for pity sake" said unsuspecting
"a Meurer, "call him over and see who