Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-10
CAPTURE THE QUEENS FAVOR
Three American Women Score Triumph in
English Society,
THEY RlDE TO VICTORY ON The MAINE
Lady Randolph ChurchiII, Mrs. Rom
nlds nnd M-s. blow of Denver
Are GrnciouaIy Received
by Her Majesty.

. by Her Majesty.
J Copyright, 1899 by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, Dec. 9.--CNew York World Ca
| blegram--Specal Telegram This is the
story OF the three American women-Lady
Randolph Churchill, Mis-. Ronalds of New
York and Mrs A. A. Blow of Denver-who
were received by Queen Victoria as one
womanly and grateful woman, discarding
| her sovereign rights, receives her sisters. 1t
| is told by the three women ana presents a
new phase in the character of the remark
| able woman who rules over the British en-
| pire.
| The venerable queen received her Ameri-
| can sisters. whose combined ages scarcely
equaled her own, in Windsor castle on
Tuesday forenoon. They were invited
| Commanded" the English say--to attend on
her majesty. Sir Edward Fleetwood wrote
to Lady Randolph Churchill, who had not
| been at Windsor castle since her widowhood: /:
1.-THE queen desires to hear everything about
the Maine fund"
The interview was really arranged for
Lady Churchill by the prince of Wales. Much
surprise was manifested in society that
Mrs. Arthur Paget, who was quite prominent
! in raising subscriptions among Americans
for the equipment of the hospital ship Maine
for service in the South African war;. was
not included in the invitation. Lady
Churchill repaired to Windsor early in the
afternoon of Monday and was driven to the
castle She was ushered into the queens
private sitting room Immediately on her ar
rival. Her majesty was sitting before
bright wood fire The Viscountess Downe
sat beside her.
When Lady Randolph Churchill knelt to
xiSS he han pf h.,
queen asked if she had any news of her
son, Winston Churchill, the World corre-
spondent who Is captive of the Beers, Lady
Churchill replied that an effort was being
made to secure his release. The queen, bid
ding Lady Churchill arise, expressed the
hope that the effort would be successful,
adding that she greatly admired his bravery
81 have just had his brilliant account of
the Kitchener campaign read to me-" said
the queen.
She then beckoned Lady Churchill to sit
beside her and inquired minutely about the
organization of the plan to equip the Maine
She asked the names of the leading work
ers and desired Lady Churchill to describe
the duties she expected to perform aboard
the ship.
Lady Churchill replied fully, giving all the
details.
At the end of half an hour the queen
closed the interview by saying:
The generous interest shown by American
ladies in the welfare of my poor stricken
soldiers touches me closely and | am CRATE
full for it. Yours has been one of the
noblest works of charity amid many"
The queens eyes filed with tears as she
referred to her poor stricken soldiers"
As Lady Churchill was about to withdraw
the queen said:
Il may have message to send you in a
little whie.'
Sends for the American Women.
The message came the. same evening by
the hand Of Lord Dourna, who said the
queen, desired to receive Mrs, Rona!ds
and Mrs, Blow the following morning at II
Lady Churchill Immediately telegraphed
Mrs. Ronalds and Mrs. Blow of the great
honor in store for them. Both ladies were
highly gratihed, for they had no reason to
expect such a compliment from the queen of
England. fl =
On Tuesday Lady Churchill, Mrs. Ronalds
and Mrs, Bloy, alighting at Windsor sta
tion were met by a gorgeous state carriage
and driven to the castle. The queen awaited
their. coming in her private sitting room.
She received them standing leaning on the
ebony stick she has used for five years,
after greeting US said Mrs. Ronalds
to me, cher majesty sank into her easy
chair and listened with the greatest inter +
est to our answers to her questions ab1ut /
the Maine fund, We remained standing
throughout the interview, which lasted for
fifteen minutes. The queen wore deep
Her gown was of black silk,
with little Brussels lace for trimming.
"She wore shawl of most exquisite work
across her shoulders. Her only ornaments
we're an old-fashioned plain oval -chasel
ocket worn at her neck and a large min
ature of Prince Albert which hung lower
IN her breast.
Lady Churchill, Mrs. Blow and all
wore black gowns at the request of the
queen, as did Princess Louise OF Batten-
oerg and Lady Downe, who were in attend
,nCe upon the queen. The only ornament
worn by our party was by me. 1t was a
little American flag OF rubes. sapphres and
diamonds, sent me from America at the
ime of the Charing Cross bazaar
Victoria Seems Sad.
THE queen appeared to be very sad. There
vas pathetic tone in her sweet voice, which
till has marvelously clear ring. Her
yes are far from being dimmed by age.
'hey are clear and bright and innocent {
ike childs.
"She was beautifully dignifed as she re-
eived us, but there was no tinge of pomp-
usness or affectation about her bearing. Her
very word, movement and expression told
( the most womanly kindness and sofness {
f heart. {
Her complexion is as beautiful as I
iris. II is real pink and white. Her
ands, upon which there were but three
ings, are most exquisitely shaped and of I
perfect waxen hue. The rings she wore /
'ere her marriage ring, much worn; plain
road band of gold and ruby ring also I
luch worn.
what impressed me most about her maj !