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POET has told us that whom we first
love we seldom wed. Poets are
learned in the ways of hearts and
love. They are the oracles in the temples
of sentiment. We read them and we be-
lieve them. But even the poets will be
glad to learn of an exception to their rule
of romance.
The more commonplace among us will
be glad. too, to know of an instance of a
woman who has wed her first love. Both
poets and We on the more conventional
plane of life will be the more interested
to discover that the exemplar of this rare
experience is one of the most beautiful
women in America, one who was the “Ho-
ner in a competition for the title of the
most popular actress in the United States.
Pauline Frederick has wed her first love.
In the quaint town in southern California,
Santa Ana. she was crowned with a chap-
let which every woman would wear. She
was led to the altar by a man who had
loved aild waited for her more than twenty
years.
Consider that,
who reads this!
0
maid or wire or widow
They who were babes when he met "the
woman” to the dignity of
beards and harbors and ballots willie he
kept on loving her. He loved. though his
love seemed hopeless. For she became
famous, but his love grew nNess. She
married another, bilt ho cherished that
love in the silent chambers of his heart.
She. severed those first bonds and took on
others for the second time.
have grown
The man who
waited buried his love dccpor iii his heart,
but silence did not smothl-r it.
She Wept When She Knew
Of His Lifelong Wait
Thcn shortly llcforc St. Valentine's Day, .
by what seemed an accidcnt. if there are
any accidents in the
game of love,
State that
suililc,
mct.
made so
inscrutable
it was in that
many matches,
California. And within a week the man
who had waited was rewarded for his
twenty-one years of faithfulness.
Tile woman for whom he had kept his
long vigil alone looked at her true knight,
first with eyes of unhelief. then through
a veiling mist. lie had reached and passed
they
has
that which has been called the Mount
Pisgah of existence—forty-five years. He
was undeniably a middle aged man. But
he had loved her for half a lifetime.
Was there such quality of stanchncss in
all this cllnngefai world? Thcre was. lie
had proved it. The awkward Boston youth
of more than 11 Score of yours ago lived
still in that strong, controlled, smiling
man, and both were faithful to her in a
world that it sccmcd to hcr was peopled
with great anl small iniidr-lities.
The woman wept a littiw. as any woman
would have donc. if only in hcr heart, and
said: “Yes, I will marry you."
Dr. C. A. Rutherford of Scattlc, once of
Boston, won hcr for ills wife by waiting.
The wait established a now record in the
annals of love. This modcrn physician had
waited longer than did that moch of con-
stancy. Jacob.
They Were Beatrice Libby and Charlie
Rutherford twenty-one years ago when
they met in Boston. She was studying
vocal music, with grand opera as her goal.
He was a medical student at lltll'l'lll‘il. lie
meant to serve humanity as great surgeons
do by winning the battle uith disease. It
was a long, upward journey for both. The
road of their ambition stretched far befcl'e
them.
Then the impertlncnt interloper. Cupid,
crossed their path. lie challenged them.
lie importuned them. He played all the
arts known to his tricksy, tiny self. He
won and lost. He won the heart of the
youth, for the medical student was for an
instant marriage and grappling with the
problems of existence together. But the
maid, calm, cool, Galatea like, hesitated.
postponed, counseled waiting for a turn
in the tide of their affairs.
The boy waited as boy lovers must unless
they are cavemen. He was no Lochinvar
with an address somewhere west of the
Mississippi. He was a Bostonian with his
way tgvmake—the long, weary way of the
doctor without patients. ‘
How H67: Debut Raised Her
Above His Schoolboy Place
In the pleasant social circle in which
both moved, an intellectual set Ieavened
by its love of beauty as manifested in arts
and letters. the youth and maid were on
a common plane. But that night when
she made her professional debut in a group
of songs at the Boston Music Hall he felt
that she was far removed from him. Even
though he had bought a seat in the front
row be viewed her as a goddess, with wor-
shipful eyes. For he was still a student.
How she must despise him as a mere
schoolboy! Already she displayed the die-
nity of a prima'donna.
It was a sad wrench when, aided and
abetted by her ambitious mother. she set
"enchantment.
Miss Paulina
Frederick
said to be the
most beautiful
star of stage
and screen.
/
forth for that Mecca of the ambitious, New
York. lie went to the station with them.
He helped the porter bestow the bags in
the racks and at their feet, at the cry of
"All aboard!" pressed the hand of each.
holding that of the girl a little longer, and
smiled and said "Good luck.” '
Smilcd.
nut David Warflcld has said and shown
that there are smiles that are far sadder
than tears. Tile girl remembered young
Rutilcrford's smile for a long time. It was
a disquieting smile. it caused her to choke
a little and to see the objects fly past the '
spccding train in a dance of gray wraiths
instead of a flood of sunshine as did her
practical mother.
Arrived in New York, Miss Frederick
prcsented a letter of introduction from her
uncle to Wilbur Bates. his classmate. Mr.
Bates was a theatrical man. He arranged
an engagement for her in a play the title
of which caused her tiny‘qualms of home-
sickness, “"‘he Rogers Brothers in liar-
vard." The boy received a few letters
from her, telling him of the engagement,
then of being made Ouccn Titania in “The
Princess of Kenslngton."
Letters Growing Fewer
- As Success 15 Attained
"I haven't much to do but walk about
and look as well as Iran." she wrote._
Which was very well indeed, as those who
saw her in her glistening white robes, her
crown, her wand of the fairy ruler, recall.
The letters grew fewer after that. “Of
course she’s very busy," said the medical
student, covering his loneliness and mis-
givings with a smile. Soon he had to
learn from the newspapers what she was
doing. She appeared in “It Happened in
Nordiand." She forsook musical comedy
for the drama and followed Julia Dean
in "The Little Gray Lady." The year he
was graduated from the medical school
she was Francis Wilson’s leading woman.
“And I just ready to hangout my
shingle." His smile held some bitterness
now. “And no expectation of it being no-
ticed except by the wind that shakes it."
They wereofar apart indeed. for he heard
only of her, never from her. He saw her
only in the photographs which the news‘
papers published of her. She was growing
more beautiful as she was growing more
famous. He used to search the lovely fea-
tures for some sign of the old smile of
playful recognition. but the picture never
smiled back. He clipped it from the news-
paper, placed it with the other clippings
about her in his desk, and sighed.
Then appeared newspaper items that
caused him to sigh the more. They dwelt
'upon Miss Frederick's beauty a't‘id power of
A younc English actor.
Thom W alluvial: .in the same oom-
Two other
characteristic
pictures of,
Miss Frederick,
Note the suggestion
of wistfulneas
with which she
has always sought
the right: man.
The lower
photograph
shows her talking
to Dr. C. A.
Rutherford,
the childhood
sweetheart, who
finally won her.
pany with her in Chicago.
became despondent because
his love for her was unre<
quited._ He killed himself,
but left no word why.
Shortly after this it was
rumored that Miss Frederick
was leaving the stage. The
voice of ambition had be-
come pianissimo and that of
Cupid forte. She would leave
the stage and lead a life of
happy obscurity in the do-
mestic circle. Her fiance
was Frank Andrews, a
wealthy architect and club
man of New York. ‘
The marriage took place. Miss Fred‘
erick's determination seemed genuine.
Those who know her best said there was
not the slightest doubt about it. Marriage
would be her vocation. society her avoca-
tion. The marriage intrenched her posi-
tion in the smart circle which she had
already entered. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews
went weekly to the opera, where her beauty
glowed gemlike in a setting of gems.
“Who is that goddess in marble testooned
in diamonds?" asked Paul Helleu.
French etcher here in search of America's
loveliest women as subjects for his pen
point. '
Society admired her beauty as for-7
vently as audiences had done. With Ethel
Barrymore and the former Eleanor Robson.
now Mrs. August Belmont. one was recog-
nized as a” stroller who had 'captivated the
leisure world. -
5 Mrs. Frank Andrews seemed a happy.
.‘»I‘
the .
f5l n
regret for the stagé. She
enjoyed the administra-
tion of her home. It was
a pleasure, she said, to in-
vade her own kitchen, 5
privilege that a '
served against 1, g £-
tates of all cook}. ..
a
"My mother is of New England and so
am I. I am glad she trained me in the
household arts. I hope I have what the
folk of New England call ffaculty,” " she
said.
Photographs of her engaged in cooking
and sweeping are preserved by her inti-
mates. They are labelled “Polly’in her
domestic period." ..
Returned to the Stage ..
After Three Years at Home
This domesticity endured for three years
To the surprise of all her circle she re-
turned to the ‘stage. She rejoined her
player world with Madame Simone when
the French star came to this country. FOL
lowed news that. she had filed suit for dis
vorce against the architect.’ A decree was
accorded her. A veil of silence was drawn
about this unhappy episodé‘ by the actress
herself. Her former husband, declined t .
discuss it. , ‘
,wnman. She professed that: she felt no , f‘ltwas abitter disillusionment for Polly.
. ;‘?°’?""PE 1022. by In. New York aaruld.‘ -‘ "
While Her Schoolda‘y Admirer Patiently
i Waited for the Beautiful Star, '
She. Tried Other H usbancls and
Listened to other wooers, All of »
. Whom, One by One, Passed
Tragically Out of Her Life Until,
at Last, She Turned
She is trustful and romantic,” said her
friends. _
Her interrupted career advanced toward
heights of recognition and prosperity and
neared its peak when she played Potiphar’s
Wife in "Joseph and His Brethren" at the
Century Theater, termed the Millionaires'
Theater. Her beauty caused the new mil-
lionaires in the motiOn picture world td
ofler her profitable contracts. She becama
a cinema star. In the world of the silver
film she met Willard Mack. He had writ-
ten a photodrama in which she was thC
star. 'At Once they formed a friendly work-
ing comradeship. Miss Frederick showed
alsterly sympathy in the playwright’s nn~
even health and his financial vicissitudes.
f Immune year Dis Rutherford read in
the morning newspaper rumors of Miss
Frederick’s pnbablgjgsagement to the
He glanced at his sign 0‘1“
side his office, now winning other attention
than that ‘of the wind. He opened the door
of his waiting room filled with patients.
Silently he took counsel with courage. Ho
playwright.
spoke those words which many men
have addressed to themselves: “Thank
heaven for thepcogsolation of work."
At that moment he found solace in
Bourke Cockran's definition: “Happiness
is. complete absorption in some effective
form of work."
He read-at last of Miss Frederick's mar-
riage to the actor-playwright. He took
further refuge from his loss and his son
row in work, and as is the way of work
it. rewardedlu'm with success.
field in Seattle‘he prospered.
It was a friend "who told him that in
the Mack manage, where once had been
concord.was now. discord. The home that
Miss Frederick had built in Beverly Hills.
In his new
Back to Her First Romance
which rivaled in importance to sigbtaecrs
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Fain
banks, housed fame and growing wealth.
but act harmony. From it issued stories
of serious differences. The stories mutu-
plied. Ensued separation. Separations—a1
followed in a few months by divorce.
Possibility of Remarriage
Again V/orries Physician
But the anxieties of the patient man in
Seattle were not over. Again rumor raised
its disquieting head. Miss Frederick ad
come to New York. During one of Mr.
Mack's frequent illnesses she had called
upon him at the Presbyterian IlospitaL
Many recalled another poet, he who said of
Woman;
"T‘Vhen pain and anguish wring the brow
'A ministering angel thou."
The offices of pity as a reawakener of
love were recalled. Would the Macks be
reconciled? Might they renlarry?
,The playwrights hopes seemed to be to
that end. He escorted the star and former
to to the Pennsylvania Station and there
8.5 an affectionate leave taking when she
departed for Los Angeles. Mr. Mark openly
expressed his hopes that his period of pro-
bation might result in a second marriage
fb the woman he said he still loved.
'But Mr. Mack's recovery was not pet~
ganent. Illness and outbreaks of tempera-
. 7
ant. recurred. After a cowboy scene
'_ layed in the public park at New Rochelle,
the surprise and edification of the
Bedate townsfolk, he took train for Cal-
"ary to visit his parents on their Gena-
tian ranch. When his health was at less:
1;) part restored he returned to Los Aa-
les.
. he announcement of his marriage there
{giMrs Stone ended surmises of his nup-
% IS with Miss Frederick. Upon learning
1 this, Willard Mack's fourth marriage.
the quiet physician in Seattle resolved
upon action. Leaving his office in charge
bf an assistant he took the fastest trazn
on the coast for Los Angeles.
0n the train he wrote Miss Frederick
The letter was reminiscent and prophetic.
At all events it brought a blush to 31‘
cheek that had paled from too close :01:
centration upon the blue light of 1:;
studio. She replied to the note: “1 erL1
drive from my studio and have tea wfzh
you in the gardens of your hotcl.”
How They Met Again
,_ After Score of Long Year!
He met her in the lobby of the hotel.
Spectators saw a man of dignity and mi :-
dle age meet and grasp the hand of the
famous beauty. They saw her smile arli
watched them pass out into the EuhSJiI'vB
and the garden.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gardner
Dresser), sipping their tea at the
table, nodded at Miss Frederick. Half 3::
hour later Miss Frederick said:
“Won't you take a spin with us to 5.23:3
Ana?"
“Love to.” replied Miss Dresser.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardner occupied a b. 1':
seat. a.
(Louise
5-9::
They noticed that Miss Freda. '
was in deep and apparently happy com-
munion with the old friend to whom 9:9
had introduced them. But though cm s
of that State of amazement, Californ..:.
they were surprised when the car stoppefi
before the court house and Miss Frederic:
flashing them a smile, said:
"We are going to get a marriage license.
Will you be witnesses to our marriage ?"
The license was secured. The marriage
to'ok place at the parsonage of the Fig:
Christian Church, the Rev. C. F. Pane.
officiating. The ceremony over, they
feasted democratically from sandwrn
plates at an outdoor stand on the sires.
corner and dashed back to Beverly Hills.
Miss Frederick, now Mrs. Rutherford.
told them that there would be no weddng
journey, at least not just now, she saw".
“for I am in the middle of a picture at
the studio."
When the women kissed each other good—
by there were tears in the eyes of each.
"Don’t worry, Louise." said the bride.
“This marriage will be happy and i: fall
last. Think how long he has waited! ’
She continued .her work in the studio.
Dr. Rutherford has closed his ofllce .n
Seattle and will practice in Los Angeles.
The friends of each are saying: “The”
will be no repentance of this match oe-
cause there has been no haste.”l“a.:l:1r &
man waiting over twenty years!
Norwalk Chronicler