The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-16

Miss Van Aliens RumOred Alliance ia
the House II Manchester.

- AhOuS w
| Newport Letter in Washington Post.
If Dame Rumor knows what she is talk
ing about the next international marriage
of note will be between Miss May Van
Allen. daughter of James j. Van Allen, and
the young Duke of Manchester. who has
not yet seen his twentieth birthday.
Six months ago ii was said that the
Duchess of Manchester would bring her son
here this summer for the particular pur-
pose Of marrying him to an American girl
of wealth The young man has not been
six months ago were true. 1T seems 10 be
so gnnerall}y ,r un \ ricn %5,e thar far b see b Dyc fssf
1t occasions very little talk.
1t is well known that she is dreadfully
poor, in the rich meaning of the word, ana
that it is quite essential for her happiness.
should marry a rich girl.
Miss May Van Allen, the young girl whose
name has been linked with that OF the
Duke. has not yet come out" but that
will be attended to in a week or two by a
large reception which Mr.. Van Allen VIII
out affair promises to be one of the gala
events Of the season. as Mr.. Van Allen
knows as much about entertaining as did
the late Ward McAllister. and that Is say
ing a good deal. The Duchess OF Manches-
ter and her son will be the special guests
of honor at this function. and, in fact, they
have been entertained oftener at Mr.. Van
Aliens house than any other place in New
port. The friendly feeling between the two
families has been so marked that III wouid
not surprise some people if Mr.. Van Allen
and the Duchess should embark upon the
matrimonial sea. but this is not probable.
Miss Van Allen is just nineteen. and while
she will not shine as a beauty. she Will be
a popular girl in the gay world. she was
born abroad. in Paris. ana was educaIea
there. She is quite as much of n foreigner
as she is American. although her parentage
is strictly the latter. Her mother was the
eiaSs. aanshfet Oh Ianoh astor the present
head of the family.
When her mother married Mr.. Van Allen
ii created a great ruction in the Astor fam
lily. There had been an ancient feud be,
tween the Astors and the van Aliens. ana
the families were always at daggers points.
William Aston. father of Mrs. van Aien'
tried in every way to break on the matcn-
He was a hot-tempered man. VINO treas
ured animosities like a miser does ms goIu,
He told his daughter that he would disown
her IL she married Van Alien. put even dmis
threat did not nave the desired effect Inc
marriage TOOK col place ana n,s ' dengh r. with
the understanding that she would i've
abroad. At that time Mr.. Van Aien haa noe
come into his present wealth. ana the siV""
a year had 1t influence.
When Mr.. Van Allen returned 10 TINS coun-
try with his children he at once became a
leading figure in swelldom. The 5reach De-
tween the Astors and the Van Aliens ended
with the death of William Astor some years
ago, and now there Is nothing Dut harmony.
Mr.. Van Allen took a prominent part I'm the
CIeyeIand-Harrison campaign OF 1882. and IL
was said contributed $1,000 10 the Demo
cratic national campaign fund. After MS
Allen minister TO italy. but there was such
a hue and cry raised that Mr.. Van Allen
declined.
The young Duke of Manchester Will not
be twenty-one until March 3. 1898 His full
name is William Angus Drogo Montagu.
and he has been in possession OF his title
for four years. his father having died IN
1850. He was educated at Eton- In the
family exchequer had been more robust he
would have been sent TO Oxford. where
there are many fine opportunities for a
young man of his standing to pile up debts
AZ n terrific pace. He has three family
seats. but none of the estates are remun-
erative. They are kimbolton castle and
Brampton park in Huntingdonshire and