The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-09

Lord RAvslstoks Went to Parties
with Her and They Are Bstrothed.

Lord RAvelstoke Went TO Parties
with Her and They Are BstrotEed.
A new suitor. says Dame Runnor, has
arisen for the hand OF Princess Vic
toria, the second daughter of the Prince
OF Wales. and the favor;te grandchild
OF Great Britain's queen. This time
IL il John Barring. Lord RavcIstoke.
who. upon the death OF his father last
year. became the head of the London
banking house of Barring Brothers q
Co. The cables announced what was
termed "a probable engagement more
than a week ago, since when there has
been neither confirmation nor denial.
Be that as it may. the marriage OF
the Princess and the young banker
would not provoke any great amount
of surprise among those who are famil-
lar with the doings of the royal family.
Lord Ravelstoke has for years been on
intimate terms with the children Of the
Prince of Wales, and has ever been a
welcome guest at Marlborough House.
At the children's parties he was prime
fayorite, and as a boy he chummed 1t
with the young Princes.
He is now a manly young chap OF
thirty-four. and his name has never
been associated with any OF the scan
dals SO frequently coupled with the
names OF young men OF wealth and
social prominence. The Princess Vic-
toria Is thirty. So far as is known there
are no romantic circumstances leading
likely that II is the gradual rlpening OF
an affection formed In early youth and
strengthened with the ensuing years.
And yet each life has had it's romance
Ravelstoke has been In love, desper-
ately in love. with q fair English girl,
while the Princess Victoria has been
wooed. perhaps loved. by several men
OF great wealth. That she has pre-
viously intrusted her heart TO any
mans Keeping is, however, very doubt
full. She has ever held In high esteem
the friendship of young Barring. and II
was probably with foresight Of the
future that she regarded with so little
concern the gallant suitors who would
win her fer their own.
Two or three years ago the gossips
had 1t that Mr.. William Waldorf Astbr
and Lord Rosebery were rivals FOR the
hand OF the Princess Victoria. Both
We're backed by millions, the one by
American dollars and the other by The
vast wealth of the Rothschilds. The
Prince OF Wales was said 20 be under
heavy financial obligations 70 both gen.
tlemen and the fact that each was o
widowcr with family Of children by q
previous marriage did not at the time
seem to present such 4 serious obstacle
as one might irRegipe.
But that affahf seems to have died
out completely. II, indeed, 1t had ever
assumed serious proportions.
Ten years ago John Barring. now Lord
Ravelstoke. receivpd his nSet lesson In
love. Even then the Princess regarded
to all save the charms OF feif haired
young girl, first cousin. Win the
impetuosity of youth. be fell head over
ears in love with her.
He proposed marriage. She stood
aghast. She had never thought of him
other than as a favorite cousin. II love
you." she. said simply, ''but not in that
way. Let us Just be the good friends
we always have been"
Young Barring took the matter very
much to heart. He came TO America
and buried himself amid the solitudes
of the Rocky Mountains, shooting big
game and trying to forget. Such is the
Inconsistency OF youth that he returned
to England thoroughly cured Of his in
fatuation.
He resumed his place in society. and
ough House and Sandringham. The
Princess Victoria continued to rejoice
in the companionshipo of the broad shoul-
dered young man who had been the
playmate OF her early childhood.
The courting Of a princess is no easy
matter 1t is more than likely that the
young people often chafed at the pomp
and ceremony of their surroundings.
When the Princess was in coquettish
mood, tapping her handsome gallant
playfully with her fan. what could the
poor fellow do? How the Princess must
have sighed to think Of the sAclusion
enjoyed by other girls! How she must
have envied her poorest subjects.
The financial embarrassment exper-
fenced by the house of Barring seemed
TO have made not the slightest differ
ence in the friendly relations which had
previously excited between the young
man ana the family OF Wales. When
his father died and he succeeded to the
title and the business interests, he
proved himself to be a man OF affairs.
The fine country place, Membland.
which. 1t was thought. would have to
be sacrificed, was saved, and the young
man who had never known care shoul-
dered bravely and earnestly the new
RESPONSIBILITIES heaped upon him.
Lord Ravelstoke Is the second OF that
title, his father. Edward. Charles Bar
ing having been elevated to the peer
age in 1885. The formal betrothal OF
the Princess and Lord Ravelstoke is
said to be awaiting the approval OF the
Queen.