Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-12-05
sNtJBBED THE FRINGE OF WALES,
A Young American Beauty Who Refus-
ed:to Meet Him.


Miss Grace Thompson, q high-minded
society belle OF St Louis, snubbed the
Prince of Wales.
Miss Thompson has been abroad now
nearly two years. She made her debut
in st. Louis society before her depar-
ture, and both on account OF her beauty
and culture, became belle simulta-
neously with her Introduction. Her
elder sister, Miss Camilla Thompson,
married Howard Townsend Martin, .
brother OF Bradley Martin. OF New
York. The wedding was the society
event of the season Her sisters trans
mission by reason of her marriage into
the most exclusive set of New York
and London, led Miss Oracle Thompson
to spend much of her time in the East
and abroad. There she naturally NOV
ed in the highest circles, where her
physical and mental qualities fitted her
to shine. A. London, where she was
literally entertained, she attracted
much attention from the sprigs of no.
bility, who chiefly comprise the male
part of the smart set, and the fame of
her beauty and charming qualities in
terested even that blase person, the
Prince of Wales.
During the jubilee celebration Miss
Thompson shone respondent at many
of the gorgeous functions given by the
Bradley Martins in their palace rented
for the occasion. In fact, she was the
hit of the social season. All London
was talking about the beautiful girl
from ST. Louis. This praise reached
the ears of the Prince of Wales, who
expressed an ardent desire to meet the
fair American. Through some mis-
chance this introduction did not take
place, and the gayety season ended
with the Prince still on the anxious
seat. He promised himself, however,
the pleasure of meeting Miss ThOmp-
son on the continent during the sum-
mer. Meanwhile, the admiration of
the Prince had been, of course, carried
to Miss Thompson by the ever-wagging
tongue of gossip. In fact, the Prince
made no secret of his admiration, but
talked SO freely about it that it caused
no little comment among his inti-
mates, and Miss Thompson was re-
garded by them as fortunate young
woman.
1t seems, though, that she thought
differently. Now, everybody knows
that the cleansing of Albert Edwards
moral reputation would bankrupt a
laundry. Notwithstanding this, many
girls would have jumped at the chance
of having Prince at their feet. Not
SO Miss Thompson. She had planned
European tour for the summer In COM
pany with a party of friends, among
them Mrs. Robert Filley and Miss
Mabel Filley, of st. Louis. This trip
contemplated an extended stay at Ham,
burg. Learning that Miss Thompson
was at Hamburg, his Royal Highness
announced that he would honor that
place with an extended visit in August.
He furthermore let it be incidentally
known that the pleasure of his stay
would be greatly augmented if Miss
Thompson was presented to him. This
also reached the ears OF Miss Thomp-
son.
The result was that the day which
witnessed the arrival Of the Prince at
Hamburg witnessed also the departure
of Miss Thompson, who took her way
to Lucerne. The snub to the Prince by
her sudden departure was so pointed
that the social gossips of the place
could not overlook it. For week tom
CUES wagged SO freely that the Prince
decided to depart rather than to face
the suppressed ridicule to which he felt
himself subjected. The papers got hold
of the matter and INDUCED in numerous
quiet pokes at Albert Edward.
Miss Thompson is expected to return
to st. Louis the coming winter, where
she will be welcomed in manner fit
ting her beauty, accomplishments and
good sense.