The Washington times., 1894-12-02
SOCIAL SAYINGS AND DOINGS

Beyond a question the most exciting topic
of the week as to the various ins and outs
society is discussing with animation are the
latest developments in the case of Count and
Countess Divonne. When week since one
OF the local papers enormously announced
that the now celebrated couple had leased for
the season the house on Connecticut avenue
owned by Admiral and Mrs. Crosby the ball
was set rolling in this respect. Those who
were in position to be aware OF the true state
of the case knew that Admiral and Mrs.
Crosby were not only living in their own
house, but had not tho faintest idea of vacat-
ing in favor of any lessee. Moreover, as it
was we'll known that Mrs. Crosby was sister
of the late Col. Audenreid, father OF Countess
Divonne, the true condition of affairs was
pretty generally surmised. Count and
Countess Divonne with their three children,
three nurses, valet, and seventeen trunks are
at present the guests of Admiral and Mrs.
Crosby, who as their entertainers naturally
do not relish the published statement that
their home has been leased to any one, much
less to those whom they are at present taking
care of in the most generous manner.
The current report that the count and countess
had been elected from the Arlington, where,
upon their first arrival in the autumn, they
occupied 81 900 suite, is very general and
is firmly believed That they left the hotel
with their family, servants. and baggage some
time after nightiall has been further most
fertile topic for discussion.
Now for the matter from the standpoint OF
the count and countess who give TO their
| friends much inside news that Is most inter-
! est ne and throws some decidedly dramatic
! lights upon the whole affair. According to
! their version, about fortnight since they
! called the proprietor of the hotel to their
| apartments for consultation and after stating
| that for the present until matters between
| them and Mrs. Audenreid had been adjusted
| by the two lawyers employed for that purpose.
the very large outstanding account with the
| hotel could not be settled in the satisfactory
manner that was requisite and necessary. 1t
was thereupon agreed that the count and
/ countess SO far from vacating their apartments
/ and seeking quarters elsewhere should re-
main at the hotel.
This pleasant state of affairs continued I'M
! til somehow it leaked out that Mrs. Auden-
reid had made the offer Of $4,000 per annum
| to her daughter in the event of the latter
signing articles declaring that she would here
after absent herself from America and make
her home abroad. Coupled with this news
was the statement that the offer had been re-
| fused and that SO far as any amlcable ADJUST
ment Of the vexed question Of money be-
| tween an indulgent mother and spendthrift
daughter and son-in-law was apparently as
far from settlement as ever. This time the
hotel proprietor did not wait for an invita-
tion to talk over matters. He called an execu-
tive session, and, constituting himself
Speaker. announced in plain terms that the
| apartments were TO be vacated with all speed
possible since at such mad rate OF doings
he stood only the ghostliest. most shadowy
| chance of getting his long overdue money.
| The count and countess could only acquiesce
by declaring that al the end OF their week,
which would be on an eventful Friday, they
would seek other apartments and the Airing
ton would know them no more.
Without further loss of time, the writing
materials of the titled pair, emblazoned, with
the Divonne crest. was brought forth, and the
countess set herself the task of inditing a
letter to her friend, Mrs. Augustus Cleveland
Tyler, who has already stood her in good
stead as friend and banker pro TEN. This
letter, after relating what had just transpired
asked that at the time indicated to the hotel
proprietor, the count and countess, with then
belongings. could axe the first train for New
London, and establish themselves for visit
the exact limitations of which. by the way
were somehow considered too trifing TO in
sert in the same letter. With almost breath.
less anxiety the answer to this important mis-
slye was awaited. Without the least un'
necessary loss of time it arrived, and while il
announced that for the present, owing 10 the
state OF Mrs. Tylers health, the proposed
visit would be impossible. that it was to be &
pleasure deferred only. The latter part was
eminently satisfactory, inasmuch asst stated
that Mr.. Tyler would hold himself personally
responsible for the hotel bill until such time
as his Wife's health would admit OF her hav
ing the proposed company.
Affairs on every hand seemed at this time
to have come TO focus, for almost simultane
ously with the arrival of the welcome lettel
came Admiral Crosby with the invitation fol
the count and countess with their family
servants, and luggage to be transported to
his home on Connecticut avenue. Just about
this time also there came a knock at the door
and the hotel pro oprietor fortified with a let
from Mr.. Tyler announcing his willingness K
be personally responsible for the board bill
of his wifes friends came in to urge
that the contemplated removal from his es
tablishment be reconsidered. and that th'
crested silver bureau furnishings and coro
neted paper be allowed to remain in theil
accustomed places until such time as it should
please their owners to leave the city.
This offer, like that of the proposed income
OF $S, 900 per annum. was, however. dismissed
without further ceremony, and gathering
about them their goods and chattels OF every
description, when the shades of friendly dark
ness settled over the city, bringing the elec
trio light over the entrance doorWays to thu
Arlington into due prominence, the coun
and countess drove to Admiral and Mrs
Crosby's home to take up their residenc,
as guests therein until such time as Mrs. lyle
shall have sufficiently recuperated to maxi
the proposed visit delightful reality to al
concerned