The Washington times., 1920-04-11

they said disappointedly. .But she is the
prettiest girl in Dutchess County"
Then there was that photographers
competition. Mrs. Whitaker called for
her brother at an uptown photographers
studio. The photographer was presented
to her. but stared and forgot to bow.
do pose for me-" he begged-'just as
you are, in that pretty Summer gown. I
want picture of one of your type"
Obligingly Miss France consented. She
had forgotten about the picture when one
day she saw it confronting her from
newspapers front page.
1t had won a prize for the photographer
as the most beautiful picture in a photo
graphic exhibit at Terrace Garden. The
photographer received the first honors and
a hundred dollars. Miss France had the
annoyance Of being stared at in street cars
and subway stations as the original of the
picture.
But the crowning annoyance came when
a person telephoned to her, saying: Par
don the intrusion. l am"--he mentioned
the name of a millionaire and captain of
industry-"l have travelled all over Europe
and have been in the chief cities Of the
world. want to bestow upon you the
apple that was awarded Venus. You are
the most beautiful woman in the world
Beautiful Miss France. who is modest,
too, hastily hung up the receiver.
There was the inconvenience, too, which
she experienced In the Hobbies of theatres
when men and women would say: "Oh,
how do you do, Miss Elliott?" Or, 81 did
not know you were in this country"
OF course, Miss France who was, Mrs.
Whitaker who is, admires Maxine Elliott
and her titled sister, eLady Johnstone
Forbes Robertson. Who does not? And
she knew that the midnight coloring of
her eyes and hair, the regularity Of her
features and her fine height suggested
the beautiful brunette sisters. But Mrs.
Whitaker is an individualist. Il want to
be myself, such as / am" she says.
But the greatest penalty wrought by her
beauty, she believes, was her marriage.
1t was brought about by the unfortunate
railroad accident. She told the story in
detail to Judge Tierney, Of the Supreme
Court, when she asked for her divorce.
When Mrs. Keeler brought suit against
the New York Central Railroad Company
for damages FOR the loss of her husband
a young man, the brother of one of the
attorneys, stood outside the courthouse
when the case was adjourned.
Miss France, perturbed by her first ap-
pearance on the witness stand and brim-
ming with sympathy for the widow, walked
shyly past with her mother and sister.
"Hello!" said the young man. who Is
that gorgeous girl?"
"That is Miss France whom the en-
gineer was staring at when the train ran
over a man and killed him." answered
one OF the group.
For heavens sake introduce me-"
begged the young man.
One Of the group of lawyers performed
the ceremony of introduction. The young
man drove up to the France farm at Co
bleskill next Sunday Thereafter he drove
up, every Sunday and midweek, and after
awhile still oftener.
The suit against the railroad company
In April. In October Of the same
year beautiful Miss France went to Ho.
boken and became the bride Of young
William Whitaker, Of the Whitaker
Speedometer Company.
my marriage was the worst thing that
my beauty has ever brought me-" she said