The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-17
CAPT. BE[LONI BACK
LOVELOSS MYSTERY

The tale OF a romance that died
with never a word or explanation
from anyone was wildly recalled to
Washington society today by dis
patches stating that Capt. Leopold
Belluni, Italian aviator hero. who
spent the greater part OF last year IN
the Capital as a member OF the ltal-
ian mission, is back in New York.
Society recalled, with a gasp, no"
the dashing aviator. while here won
the heart Of Miss Harriet A Post,
close friend Of Mrs. Vincent Astor;
how the engagement was announced:
and an early spring wedding planned
and hos~. barely a month later, the
engagement was broken, for some
reason which neither smart New York
nor Washington has ever been able 10
solve.
And today. both BeIIoni and his one
time ahfianced are as silent as ever.
Belloni. indeed. is more than silent.
He is somewhere in New York. but
that is ALL that is known. He is keep
ing his address carefully secret.
Discovery of Captain Bellonis re-
turn TO this country was made purely
by chance last week.
Two young women Of society were
walking down Fifth avenue. Sud
arm and pointed to A trim. dark
skinned young man hurrying along
on the opposite side Of the street.
Look" she exclaimed. There's
Capt Leopold BellOni back in New
York"
Nonsense" the other retorted, hes
over in Italy. mnping because Har-
riet Post wouldn't marry him.
But the first one was right. II was
l. rnF
the girl who broke his heart.
Made No Explanation.
The handsome young aviator was
in Italy when Miss Posts parents. |
Mr.. and Mrs. George 7. Post. of 5
East Fifty-first street. made laconic
announcement that the engagement
was of. No explanation was offered
until yesterday. when society peri
odical printed an article that Belloni
had been employed in Boston before
the war in a more human. and less
remunerative. position than that OF
captain.
The mystery of Captain BeHonrs
origin remained a mystery yesterday.
II could not be cleared up by the
Italian Bureau of Information, MEM
hers OF the Italian mission in New
York or the Post family and not by
the young aviator himself
An acquaintance was finally found
at the Ritz-Carlton, where BelIoni
formerly lived. who said the captain
had been seen in New York this week,
as narrated above, None of the So
ciety people whom he met in New York
knew he had returned from Italy.
whence he was recalled from his mis-
sion in this country during the Christ
mas holidays.
With Cooks Tours.
Finally il was learned that he had
established connections with the up
town branch OF Thomas Cook G. Son,
tourist agents, Here a clerk said:
Captain BElIoni would not give up
his address. although he told US to
hold any mail that comes for him. He
said il any one called to have them
leave a message for him. He is in
New York, but we have no idea
where"
George B. Post is head of the firm
IF Post & Flagg. He calmly denied
that his daughters engagement had
been broken because of any "discuks
cry" the family had made He added
an injunction not TO quote him.
Another. close in the councils OF
the family, said:
Miss Post broke her enlightenment
merely because she changed her mind.
There is NJ. mystery in it. So far as
the Post family knows. Captain Bel
Joni is a thorough gentleman. No.
cannot tell you anything about his
antecedents."
BelIoni flew a Caproni aeropIane In
Italy. He came here a year ago with
the Italian mission to represent the
Caproni. Fo#- the most part he was
stationed in Washington. Last fall, |
II was noticed. Miss Post made many
trips 10 the Capital
Several times Captain BelIoni came I
to New York and there were many |
dinner and theater parties. The avia- |
tor was introduced TO a great many |
well-known society persons, both at I
the Post home and at the leading no. /
tells. His manners were perfect. his |
bearing was patrician. and he pos |
sessed such an excellent knowledge
of English and manifested so many /
pleasing social Eraces that he soon |
became exceedingly popular.
: Society was not surprised in De- |
cemher when Mr.. and Mrs. Post an
noUnced their daughters engagement
to Bellcni. The aviator returned to
Italy. 5000 afteFWard with the expec-
tstion OF returning this spring for the
wedding
Then came the announcement OF the
broken engagement and a flood OF
Tumors. Whether the Italian Lochin- |
var has sought an interview with his
former hancee since his return could !
not be learned. Neither Miss Post or
her mother. who was Miss Julia Cot !
ton Smith. would talk.
Harriette Post. has been a leader Of f!
the younger set since her debut sew !
eral years ago. She Is fond Of music /
and painting, and is a noted horse !
woman She has done considerable ;
cross-cOUntTV hunting