The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-15

According 10 the latest fancy OF Dame
Rumor, Miss Pauline Astor has become on
gaged TO tho young Duke of Roxburghc
The rumcr has gained circulation through
mat particularly swell set in which VIII
liam Waldorf Astor has been q couspicu-
Gus figure In London for the past two
seasons. The alliance of nearly $4,000.
600 of American money with titled mem
her of the English nobility whose wealth
is estimated at s2.o0o.oo0, Is another strik-
ing instance of the all-important feature
OF golden existence.
Since her debut in London society two
years ago, Miss Pauline Astor has been
one OF the most sought after girls of the
past two seasons. This is not to be won
dered at, for coupled with very charm
ing personality, the fabulously wealthy
dcbutante could command an almost un-
limited amount Of the gold that glittcrs,
and AS IL seems to be an inherited prefer
mont among the members OF the Euro
pean nobility to exchange their Industrious
titles for coin OF the realm. the acquire
mcnt of Miss Astor by tho Duke OF Rox-
burghe is not SO strange an occurrence
after all.
Everybody who knows William Waldorf
Astor is aware OF the fact that IL has been
the dream of his yearning parental heart
to associate his only child with some hiss
t0rically distinguished house OF Europe,
To further this end he has diligently ca
tered TO the a-de-da fopS who make II
a business to look pretty. say 'Aw WEAKLY
donchcno'' and who forever and eternally
tt1s fuO lint foStf h trr.
father was titled robbor and the recipi-
ent of kingly bounty.
Ever since his daughter has reached the
generally accepted years of discretion, Mr..
William Waldorf Astor has been fearfully
apprehensive lest his only child should
form an attachment for i'm American youth
with nothing to recommend him but nm
overabundance of energy and brains. This
has been the perpetual nightmare of Papa
Astor and II Is generally alleged by Mrs.
Grundy that 1t has been due to this fact
entirely that the beautiful heiress has not
been allowed to either visit America or
to mingle with Americans OF youthful
hearts and warm temperaments
However, much to the horror OF Mrs.
Grundy, there is strong possibility
that the youthful Aston debutante may
kick over the traces and thus upset the
apple cart Of her fond fathers anticipa>
tions. The Duke OF Roxburghe is young,
attractive and pleasing, but he is not
the idol upon which Miss Pauline has
been secretly sbowering her love for the
past year. That there is another man
In the case there can be no doubt, for
though usually an obedient and dutiful
child the petted heiress has not as yet
consented to give her heart and hand to
the aspiring young nobleman whom her
father has kindly selected for her, and
II may be that before the matter liz
satisfactorily adjusted there will be u
social disruption which will raise tho
palatial roof of the old Astor mansion
before the thing Is ended.
The Duke of Roxburghe Is largely
endowed with all the requirements
which generally are considered neces-
sary to the capture OF an heiress. He Is
Henry John lnnes Ker by name. scion
of the seventh Duke of Roxberghe and
eighth of the same name. His other
titles are many He Is Marquis OF Bow
mont and Cessford. Niscount OF Brox-
mouth. Baron Ker OF Cessford and Clay