The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-09

West for Lady Randolph is one of the
most extraordinary of recent episodes in
high society. Although she is almost
old enough to be his mother. her youth
fulness and physical attractions are uni
versaIly acknowledged.
Lieutenant CORVALLIS West is twenty
five years old and an officer in the Scots
Guards. He is good looking. well built
young fellow, and has always been cred
tied with an ordinary amount of intell-
gence. In spite of all the protests of his
family, he has persisted in his devotion
to the mature Lady Randolph.
His social position is high. He is the
oldest son of Colonel CORVALLIS West, a
great land owner. whose wealth he is des
tined to inherit, unless his father fol-
lows the example OF the late Cornelius
Vanderbilt Lieutenant Vests mother
was the most famous beauty of her day
in England. and is still handsome wo-
man, of about the same age as Lady
Randolph. His sister is the Princess
Henry of Pless, who IS as famous for
her beauty now as her mother was in
her youth.
For the past six months young Vests
attachment to Lady Randolph has been
known in society. On several occasions
their engagement was reported. but it
was averted by the efforts of the young
mans family.
Lady Randolph herself is said to be in
love with young West, but does not wish
to enter into a hasty marriage with him.
She would prefer not to marry him in
face of the violent opposition of his and
her own family. He has urged her to
elope with him, but she has steadily re-
fused to do this. In consequence, the
younth has had fits of melancholy and
grief
These gave rise few weeks ago TO the
report that the two had quarrelled and
that Lady Randolph had cast off her
young adorer. The report was soon after
ward clearly proved 20 be untrue. for
they were seen everywhere enjoying one
another's society. Lady Randolph &C
cepted an invitation to a great party at
Iwerne Minister. the house of Lord VOL
verton, where the Prince of Wales was
to be present. At the last moment she
sent a telegram of excuse. and on the
day she should have been at the party
she was observed shopping in company
with Lieutenant West. One night they
witnessed a comedy called THE Elixir
of Youth" They dined together at the
Hotel Cecil and We're seen at all sorts of
public places of amusement.
The proposed marriage was opposed
with especial violence by Mrs. CORVALLIS
West, the young mans mother. She and
Lady Randolph were at one time rival
court beauties, and she was Mortified at
the idea that her old time rival should
captivate her son.
Hardly less opposed to the marriage
was Lady Randolph's older son. Lieu
tenant Winston Churchill. She is ex-
tremely proud of him. and her ambition
is to see him hold as great position IN
English politics as his father, whose sue
cess was largely due TO her efforts.
Young Churchill began his career as a
soldier but she was anxious to see him
out of that dangerous profession, and
as a great inducement to that end she
founded the sumptious Anglo-Saxon Re
view. of which she made him editor
When Lieutenant Churchill observed
the growing attachment of his mother
and young West, he protested warmly,
and insisted that she should promise not
to make a ridiculous marriage. She said
that she did not contemplate such a
thing Her friendship with West how
ever, remained as warm as ever. Then
her son demanded that she should drop
her admirer altogether. This she re-
fused to do.
Winston Churchill was irritated and
disguised. The war in South Africa
broke out and he hastened to drop the
Anglo-Saxon Review, and go out with
the army
Lady Randolph. therefore, had the sor-
row of seeing her beloved son leave for
a war where the mortality among the
officers has been unparalleled in history.
Young Churchillwent as a correspon-
dent of a London newspaper. He reach
ed Estcourt, in Natal, after the invest
ment of Ladysmith by the Beers. From
Estcourt he accompanied an armored
train on a reconnaissance toward Colen-
so. The Beers ambushed the train, bonn
barded it and partially derailed It,
Churchill and fifty British soldiers were
made prisoners and he was wounded
while encouraging the men to make a
desperate resistance.
As a non-combatant engaged in fight
ing. he is liable. according TO the strict
rules Of war, to be executed by the Beers |
While her son left. her lover, Lieuten-
ant CORVALLIS West, was preparing TO
go. His regiment. the Scots Guards. was
part Of the army corps forwarded after
the outbreak Of war and was one Of the
first to sail.
The departure Of the Scots Guards was
a great event in society. Everybody OF
Importance, from the Prince OF Wales
down was interested. Lady Randolph
assisted Lieutenant West TO purchase his |
kit and supplied him with no end Of lux
uries. so that as long as he is not shot /
by the Beers he Will have a pleasant /
time. Baron Alfred de Rothchild sent +
an unlimited supply OF champaign and I
cigars 70 the officers.
The Prince Of Wales held a special fare /
well inspection Of the regiment. It's com !
mander is Colonel Arthur PaEet, who /
married Miss Minnie Stevens daughter !
Of the late Mrs Paran Stevens. OF New /
York. Mrs. Paget Is another OF the bril- |
liant American leaders Of English soc!- |
ETY.. She was az the inspection. 50, too. |
was Lady Randolph whose eyes were |
din led By the thought that handsome. |
boyish rosy-cheeked Lieutenant West !
m tght soon De lying on the drsary veldt /
with bullet through his heart
LADY Randolph. bereft % her lover and /
her son then buried her sorr0ws in work 1
for the great American hospital ship |
which she Is going 10 send TO South A. I
rica.
she viii follow the young men tHere. 70 /
watch over them and 70 nurse them r 4
they should be wounded she Will be The /