The Washington times., 1919-07-06
,e Dashing Romance of the Hero
Leader of NeU YOrk'S 'sBInck
Tigers" Who WOOed Nth All
the Speed and Fire That Won
Him War Fame and Brought TO
His Breast, Beside His Medals,
the Heart of Commodore Plant S
MuLti-MiLLiOnGire Widow.

He was an immensely popular man. He
knew every stratum of New York society.
In all these strata he had friends. There
was the Gubernatorial set. Governor
Whitman had appointed him his counsel
There was the Public Service Commission.
He had been appointed a Commissioner.
There was New York's most exclusive sci.
ments to its fair ones. The Rialto knew
him, for he was a generous first-nighter at
plays. Beautiful actresses sent him cards
to their days at home and invitations to
house parties at their country places. All
the nation knew him. II had been but a
few years before that Nebraska, the State
of corn and hogs, had called him her
'handsomest man." had made him the
youngest Of her county judges and had
nearly elected him Governor.
His fame spread across all of America
and all of Europe. For wherever war news
had reached there was known.the fighting
colonel Of the black tigers"
Whenever he set out for walk or started
for a drive, wherever he dined or made
speech, cheers greeted him. Truth to tell,
he grew a little tired of it. For, like most
brave men and great, he was modest.
Lets turn in here for cup of tea," said
a woman relative one day as they skirted
the fountain at the Plaza.
ct would be plea-ant to have quiet
moment somewhere" he admitted.
As they crossed the foyer the elevator
doox changed back. Out of the lift stepped
a woman, tall. fair haired, with the gen.
tlest face and the softest smile he had ever
seen save one. Where he had seen that
combination Of dignity and gentleness, that
reserve Of a woman who knew her world
and the frank smile of girl? She enlight-
ened him. AS the relative began her in
Productions the woman Of gracious pres
ence said:
I'VE have met before. May greet the
hero as an acquaintance of other days."
The Colonel bowed low.
1T was at New London" she prompted,
smiling
Ten years ago." she went on.
81 attended the Yale races there" he
agreed.
1--WE met aboard yacht
But, Mrs. Plant
81 was Mrs Selden Manwaring then"
she said simply.
81 remember" he said. Wont you join
us at tea and renew acquaintance"
She dismissed her waiting chauffeur and
at one of the little round tables they chat
ted Of the races, of the war, of her small
son. whom he remembered.
Phillip is seventeen now" she said.
"a have boy year older" he said. His
name is Leland"
Phillip is at st. Paul School," she said
Leland is at Pomfret."
Philip wants to enter upon diplomatic
career"
Leland thinks he will follow Dad into a
law office"
They talked of war She urged him to
tell of holding the trenches for ninety-one
days and of going over the top at BelIeau
Woods. She said little. She is one of
those rare women who are of few words.
But her silence was eloquent. She paid
him the subtle compliment of listening
with unwavering attention. When the tea
and the chat were over she said:
u have apartments here. ! shalt be
glad II you will call"
Let me see. This is February. It was
three months ago. Yes. He died in No
vember. Nm" said Colonel bill" to him.
self. 1t is an exclamation that may mean
much or little
She isn't going out, of course. But I
think she meant her invitation to call"
He fell easily into the habit of calling at
the tea hour. Her gentleness appealed deep
ly to him following the rigors of war. In
mes OF long continued peace perhaps
We VlVacious woman has the supreme
arm. But to the war-wearied man with
slight limp the charm of the soft.
- woman whose face was aureoled
by sunny hair, was unreasonable.
Copyright. 1912 by Star Cnmnnny