The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-21

Porter Ashe, the California Turfman, Said to
Be Gebhsrdts Rival.

Be Gebhsrdt's Rival.
New York Special.
There 10 q new chapter in the sentimental
summer serial story OF Mrs Langtry. Frederick
Gebhardt has q rival in the person Of Porter
Ashe. the rich California turfman. Such is re-
ported to be the fact by those most familiar
with the strange Langtry-Gebhardt household
at Long Branch, and. all the appearances are
corroborative. Ashe il q somewhat famous
sporting man, with any amount OF money with
which to seek pleasure. Mrs. Langtry made his
acquaintance in San Francisco. and
has renewed it in the warmest sort
Ashe brought his race-horses across the CONT
uent, and has rua them at Sheepshead Bay and
Monmouth Park. Early In the season he pre-.
sented to Mrs. Langtry q handsome silver
trophy won by one Of his horses. An elaborate
dinner in his honor ensusd at Mrs. Langsry's
residence In West Twenty-ttird street. Then
she and Gebhart rented a handsome villa for
the summer at Long Branch, and about the same
time he took quarters at the West Eud Hotel,
where Mrs. Langtry spends . great deal or her
time. The immediate Lanetry coteris has since
then consisted Of the Baron and Baroness Blanc,
q notably handsome and snowy pair: Mrs NAL
lon. an intimate friend Of the Lily, and several
such veteran FOUNDERS as T. Henrys French. Alf
Clagget, Cunning s. Bedford, Jack Hurley and
Berry Wall. Porter Ashe soon became a favorits
above all the rest. They were hail-fellow-well-
met with her. while he got especial attention 10
public, and was an almost daily visitor at the
villa. For q while Ashe and Gebhardt seemed
like cronies, for they and Mrs. Langtry made a
trio at the race course. on the drive. in the surf
and at the hotel. But the fact Is now
we'll nigh undeniable that the Lily is vacillatine
from Freddy toward Porter. Stories Of quarrels
in this triumvirate are current. and while some
of them are clearly exaegeratiors. others have
the esr-marks of reliable history. Ashe is
hardly as handsome IS Gebhardt, although
somewhat moro stalwart and decidedly OF more
agreeable and genial manners. He goes walk
ing and driving alone with Mrs Langtry, takes
her to quiet dinners at Pleasure Bay, they 60
Yachting together on the Shire wsbury. and the
look Of it really is that Gebhardt may lose the
beauty to his California rival.
Your correspondents has definite news direct
from the husband of Mrs. Lsnetry. A cousin OF
his 10 Hillary Langtry Bell, an artist now resid-
ing in this city. He says that all overtures on
the part Of MIRA Lsnetry looking toward the
husbands consent to q divorce have reen re-
pulsed anew. Langtry will not consent TO q legal
separation. There 10 Q homo here in England
for my wife whenever she chooses to come
20 it," Lanztry Is quoted by his cousin as
saying. although not SO good q one as she
IL able to maintain in America 1t was her am
bition to cut q dash in the world that separated
US. She has no ground on which to get a d.
vorce from me, not even that of non-support,
and / will contest any proceeding which she
may bring. Neither will I consent to q promo
sition that I myself obtain a divorce, which I
could do, but which would enable her TO marry
again in the United States. Therefore, 1 do not
believe that there will be q divorce Of any sort
very soon.n