Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-02-13

and another maIl--Were together
a great deal in Paris and were
seen daily at the Longchamps
races and in the chic tea-dan-
SAINTS and nightl5 in the midnight
dancing places. All three in
dignantly denied there was a
question Of "ancther man" to
complicate the already tangled
romance.
With her friends. the Count and
Countess de jane (the latter u
Chicago society girl, Miss Bak-
cr toured France in a motor-car
and plans were discussed for q
wedding at the de James quaint
chateau in Normandy. But June
passed and the apple-blossons
withered. Mccormick went TO
England.
Miss Mary told friends and
Mccormick she was still uncer-
tain. The wedding was read
iourned to July in England
among the hawthorne blossoms
at the picturesque old town OF
Wey6ridge, where McCormick's
brother lives. July passed ana
the hawthorne blooms followed
the apple blossoms. And the
was again postponed a
month-Scotland was discussed as
the scene and heather as the back
ground this time.
But Mary conrded to friends
that her uncertainty was grow
ing. She went to Scotland for
short trip.
BY this time the original trous-
soau was out Of style and Mary
and her mother made Il couple
Of trips to Paris to choose ar
other. Mccormick also,
Another month slipped past ana
Mary announced that she would
20 TO italy and return for the
marriage-Swe, this time, Me
Cormick followed u Italy.
During the trip 70 Italy Miss
Mary's uncertainty again mcrca~-
ed to about 80 per cent-aud af-
ter her return it was decided
that the wedding would be in
definitely postponed, but would
Drobsbly occur ~ London during
the winter season. Mccormick
went to 1--we at Wey6ridge ana
saw his fiancee only occasionally
in London. Mary continued her
travels to Scotland. NcCormick's
friends advised him TO abandon
his suit.
The final scene came in mid
january in Paris when Miss
Mary's uncertainty reached 100
per cent and became certainty
hat she wasn't going to marry.
IN an interview with the United
Press. she insisted that here was
no other man"ard she had simp-
ly finally decided she didn't want
to be married. What is the mys-
torv behind the breaking of Mary
Landon Bakers engagement to
AuiSter Mccormick, after leav-
ing him waiting at the church
twice and rostponing the we'd
ding six times? What is the
INSIDE story?'
Was it parental opposition? In
compatibility? Another man? An
other girl? Or what?
That is the question on the
bps Of European society folk ana
the general newspaper-relding
public.
Since Miss Mary arrived in
France in May and led AlliSter 1t
merry chase back ard forth across
the map of Europe averaging
one thousand miles and one post
ponement every six weeks, some
highly Favored gossip has been
banded around in an attempt to
plumb the mystery.
Only two persons-Miss Mary
and Allister-know. And Allis-
ter won't tell.
On the day. she finally decided
to break the eng: cement Miss
Baker in the first interview she
has given in Europe herself told
the United Press correspondent
her side of the story or rs much
as she intends to tell the pub
lie.
1t is simply the >!erne; femi-
nine reason-she Tnrely decided
to change her mind.
"There'S no particular reason"
she said, Except that I've decided
| don't want 70 be married. No.
there is no other man IN the case.
! don't think I'll ever marry.
The correspondent ventdsed the
opinion that her decision after
so long delay made the mystery
deeper; that something must have
arisen to change her mind at
this time.
NO" said Miss Mary grave
", there's no mystery. Ny