Love vs. Father: The Seattle Elopation That Defied a Kentucky Patriarch

A pretty, vivacious brunette, well educated and cultured, civilly attired in a smart tailor-made dress and carrying a small hand umbrella, came here today from Louisville, Ky., with the intention of marrying her betrothed, J. A. Cabana, a train salesman of St. Louis. The young couple had arranged to marry at the Union railway station, this city, the very day following his arrival, but Mr. Cabana's train was somewhat late and he was delayed ten minutes in all. Thus the appointment time passed.

The young lady then called a cab for the Hotel Seattle, where a detective took her under his protection, backed by a telegram from her father, N. Leonard, at Eddyville, Ky. Soon after reaching the place station Mr. Cabana also reported. The young people were much cheered and their well-laid plan interrupted.

Nevertheless they laughed away the disappointment and asserted that 'it is our turn now, their turn would come.'

It seems that Miss Leonard out to be confident of outwitting her true parents that she confided the delicious secret to her Louisville friends with whom she was visiting and as she started on her journey to Indianapolis sent a wire to papa, advising him of the plot. He sent a message to prevent the marriage at all hazards.

He also sent a 'connoisseur' message instructing that his daughter be sent back to Louisville under guard, and would meet her. Both bride-elect and bridegroom bore themselves with determination. The young woman simply saying 'I will marry the man of my choice no matter how long I wait,' while Mr. Cabana said that he had asked Mr. Leonard for his daughter's hand, and, while no personal objection was entered to him as a suitor, Mr. Leonard replied: 'Wait five years, and then I will tell you whether you can have her or not.'

Miss Leonard suggested that Mr. Cabana return to St. Louis, as her father would be in a towering rage. 'You know,' she said, 'he is a thoroughbred Kentucky man and he may have a gun in his pocket.'

Mr. Cabana, however, declined to take the consequences. 'I may be sent home in a box,' he said. Like young couple started for the return to Louisville in charge of a detective. 'But I love Miss Leonard and it is my duty to stay with her until she is again under her father's care.'

Both Cabana and his bride-elect were much chagrined over the breach of faith on the part of their Louisville friends. Miss Leonard's father is president of the Farmers' Bank at Eddyville, and is largely interested in street railway ventures at Paducah, Ky., and other points. The fact is to be a wealthy man. Miss Leonard's heart is that of a well educated, thoroughly refined young woman, and both she and Mr. Cabana won the sympathy of every one here today with whom they came in contact.