LEAVES AGED LOVER
ON WEDDING EVE.
PRETTY MRS. JOHNSON DECIDES
NOT TO MARRY.
When Mrs. Lulu Johnson, who is 43, on her wedding eve left in the lurch her fiance of 60, Alexander Quist, a rich retired farmer of Rock Island, Ill., to whom she was to have been married here last night, she blighted a middle-aged romance which started last January in Amarillo, Tex.
Besides his hopes of happiness, Mr. Quist told Inspector of Detectives Edward Boyle last night that she took with her jewelry, diamonds and clothing valued at $1,000.
If the plans of the police are carried out Mrs. Johnson will be taken from a Chicago train at Louisiana, Mo., at an early hour this morning, and asked to explain.
GOT LICENSE ONCE BEFORE.
Quist, who is very wealthy, went to Amarillo in January on real estate business. While there he met Mrs. Johnson, a handsome widow who was more than pleased with the Illinois farmer. In less than a month she had consented to marry him, and by the middle of February they had started to Kansas City where, he says, they intended to unite at once.
The license, Quist says, was secured when they arrived in Kansas City, but after due consideration, Mrs. Johnson concluded that she needed more time to prepare her trousseau. She therefore deemed it advisable to return to Texas, while her aged lover went back to Rock Island. Before parting, however, Quist says he gave her diamond earrings valued at $300, a diamond ring which cost $200 and enough cash to bring the bill to about $700. With the license in his pocket he departed in a happy frame of mind.
During March and April, the two corresponded regularly, and on May 19 Quist concluded to return to Amarillo, as he was certain that the wedding finery must be finished. Sure enough, everything was in readiness, and two days ago the two started for Kansas City a second time. As the license had been secured in Missouri, both agreed that the proper place for marriage would be in Kansas City.
BUT SHE CHANGED HER MIND.
They reached Kansas City yesterday morning. After ordering luncheon at the Blossom house, the bride-to-be concluded to run up town and visit the shopping district. She would return by 6 o'clock, she said, after which they would secure a clergyman who would undoubtedly be glad to perform the marriage ceremony. Before leaving Quist says he gave her currency which brought the bill to about $1,000, he later estimated.
After strolling about the city yesterday afternoon, he returned to the Blossom house a few minutes before 6 o'clock. At the desk he was given a letter, which he opened with indifference, though he noticed the handwriting was Mrs. Johnson's.
He began to take a lively interest when he read the following note:
"Dear Ducky -- I hate to write this, but I must. Time has shown me that we could not be happy together, so I must leave you. Don't say anything about this and the folks in Amarillo will never know the difference. Ever your loving, LULU. P. S. -- Thanks."
At the Union depot he learned that a woman answering Mrs. Johnson's description had purchased a ticket for Pittsburg, Pa., and had boarded a Chicago & Alton train. He then conferred with the detective department.
"Yes, I mean to have my property back," he declared at police headquarters. "She may have made a fool of me, but I'm going to get even with her."
