ELOPEMENT A SECRET
THAT FAILS TO KEEP.
ELABORATE PLANS OF YOUNG
RUNAWAYS "SPRING LEAK."
Mary Maloney and Ross Chamberlen
Marry in Leavenworth and Are
Unaware Parental Blessing
Awaits Them.
A very pretty romance attaches to the elopement and subsequent marriage yesterday of Miss May E. Maloney, a popular young woman of Kansas City, Kas., and Ross. H. Chamberlen, a newspaper reporter of that city. Although it has been generally understood among the more intimate friends of the young people that the question of marriage was not entirely foreign to their thoughts, the consensus of opinion seemed to be that they would wait until they were older.
For weeks Chamberlen and Miss Maloney waited for an opportune moment and yesterday the chance to slip away without being suspected by friends came. They intended to get married, come home and keep the secret until Christmas, at which time the parents of the bride and the many friends of both were to learn how well young folk can plan and retain a secret.
TO LEAVENWORTH IN SECRET.
Fearing that license secured in Kansas City, Kas., would mean publicity, Mr. Chamberlen wrote a letter to the probate judge of Leavenworth county and at 3:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon the young couple boarded a Kansas City Western car and went to the court house in Leavenworth where the ceremony was performed. The bride had informed her mother, Mrs. C. F. Maloney, 273 North Seventh street, Kansas City, Kas., that she would not return home last night but would be with a young woman friend in Kansas City, mo. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlen were in Leavenworth last night blissfully unconscious of the fact that their secret had been discovered.
When seen at their home at a late hour last night the parents of Mrs. Chamberlen were greatly surprised to learn of her marriage.
"I think she might have told me of her intentions," said the mother. "there was no reason why she should not have been married at home. I suppose like many other young girls she thought it would be more romantic to run away and get married. I am sure they must have intended to keep the marriage a secret for some time."
AN ELOPEMENT UNNECESSARY.
"I certainly am surprised, but it is too late to say anything now," was the comment of Mr. Maloney. "I have known Ross for a long time and they might just as well have been married at home, although I did not know they were thinking of taking such a step. A great success they made of keeping the matter a secret."
With the full knowledge that they will be welcomed not only by their parents but also by a host of friends who are eager to repay them for the attempted trick of keeping their marriage a secret, the young couple may now return to their home in Kansas City, Kas.
