Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-03
EDMOND ROSTAND Ill
Author Of "0yrano De Bsrgerac" Doomed to
an Early Crave,
GIFTED AUTHOR CANNOT LIVE LONG
His Health Has Been Failing Ever Since His
Great Success
AMERICAN GIRL DYING OF CONSUMPTION
AMERICAN GIRL DYING OF CONSUMPTION
Days Of the Dazzling Vera Douglas Are Said
to Be Numbered.
MADE FAMOUS BY HER GORGEOUS GOWNS
Dnshing Young Girl who Cuts n Wide
swnth in Paris Concenls
Her Identity and Will
Leave n Fortune.

Copyright 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
PARIS Dec 2.--(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram Edmond Ros-
tand Is dangerously i'll in Brussels. The
author of "Cyrano de Bergerac' has been
dwindlng in health ever since his great
success
Recently Rostand took a trip to Austria
with Sarah Bernhard to get proper color
to stage his new play Bernhard then wrote
to her friends in Paris "Rostand is grow
ing weaker and weaker. l am AFRAID the
poor boy cant live long"
Among his intimate friends Rostand is
regarded as doomed to an early grave. He
is now 81 years old.
Vera Douglas, the American girl who once
lived under the protection of Grand Duke
Vladimir is dying OF consumption. Last
year at this time it was the fashion or
society people after the opera to go to sup
per to the Cafe de Paris, just to watch the
superb creature make her entrance into the
Dlace in priceless robes and gorgeous gowns.
Vera, before she became such a figure in
Partisan life, daz2led New York for two
or three seasons. She is evidently well edu-
Gated and of fine family, but always con-
cealed her past so thoroughly that NOBODY
knows her real name. The American consul
New York associates, but nobody could give
information about single relative. Vera
owns property valued at S500.000 or 100000
which will revert to the French state unless
some one can prove relationship. DR.. Clarke,
the American physician in charge, says Vera
is unconscious and cannot live more than
few hours.
saIncious MorseI for GOssips.
Once more the De la Marie household
threatens to provide society with a great
scandal. 1t has been known for some time
that Mrs. De la Marie and Captain
Joes apartments, near the Boies de Bou-
logne were not SO far distant but what
husband and wife lunched or dined together
almost daily at one apartment or the other.
Now Il Ig rupored that the eaatain had ems
gagged villa for his former wife at Monte
Carlo and was looking forward to remarry-
ing her when fierce third party, a man,
stepped in. 1t seems that shortly after the
De la Marie divorce Mrs. De la Marie en-
gagged herself to marry this man. Later she
changed her mind. Now however, he swears
he Will kill her rather than see her wed her
former husband again.
The trials Of Royalst conspirators before
the Senate sitting as a high court continue
full OF action and noise. Yesterday Presi-
dent Failleres ordered the public galleries
cleared because Ohthe clamor. Barillier, one
OF the accused, protested against the order
in a shamefully abusive manner. Proceed
ings were Immediately suspended and Bar
illier was sentenced to Cne months impris-
onment for dsrespect. Barillier is the third
10 incur this penalty, the others being
Cailly and Derouede.
The young Comtesse st. Maurice, better
known among newspaper readers OF the
United States under her maiden name-Grace
Corneau-is organizing at her dainty home
in Rue Marbeuf an enormous Christmas tree
for the poor American children in Paris.
The great number OF American destitutes
here is not generally suspected
The first American university banquet OF
tho season here waS held on Wednesday
evening, the American ambassador, General
Horace Porter, presiding. Seventy five
American graduates were among the guests
Du Clam Assaults a Man.
Colonel Du Patty de Clam, the well known
Dreyfus antagonist, struck man full in the
face today in first class compartment OF the
Versailles train. The colonel wore civilian
dress aud was unknown to the other oc-
cupants, who were discussing the Dreyfus
case Some remark about himself reused his
anger. The man he assaulted turned out to
bo a member Of the Jockey club. A duel
will be fought,
Beconnas, who holds the klometre auto
mobile record, will tomorrow try to lower II
by racing down the famous Galon hill, a
read which is graded 10 per cent with a
powerful machine The newspapers are call
ing upon the authorities to stop the crazy
performance, which is considered suicidal.
Sarah Bernhard is travelling through
Spain accompanied by one maid only. This
trip she intends as a vacation before the
opening OF her season next month
Fanchon Thompson's engagement TO Comte
DE Dion is now generally accepted as true,
The beautiful Chicago singer is seem almost
every morning with the aristocratic manu-
facturer speeding along the Champs Elysee
in his finest automobile. Carre, director OF
the Opera Comique, counts upon Miss
Thompson to create the main part in Han
sci Gretel," to be produced next month. but
the French assert that the newest ambition
for the capricious American beauty is TO
star next year through the United States
at the head OF a big dramatic company. for
which her future husband will furnish the
backing. When interviewed, Miss Thomp-
son said:
II shall not discuss my plans till my pres
ent contract expires. But II Is true / have
startling things in store for the American
public The rumor that ! intend to aban-
don opera arose from my saying that If my
voice ever deserted me | felt convinced 1
could beat Julia Arthur, Mrs. Leslie Car
ter, Olga Nethersole Minnie Maddern Fiske
and all SUCH whom l don't consider a very
good comparison with what French act
resses can do. al
Death of MADAME lie Breton.
Nine lie Breton. Empress Eugenie's faith
ful old companion, died yesterday The
empress was so affected by the news she
had to take to bed. Solemn service will be
held tomorrow In Paris Prince Victor tele-
graphed TO his brother Louis now here, TO
represent him at the funerai.
Mrs, Robinson Dun. well known Chicago
singing teacher, whose phenomenal financial
success since she established herself in
Paris year ago has been one OF the
fayorite topics in the American colony an
nounces she will now abandon her large