The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-16
hate Rhodes and later to fear him.

A1tatS IhuuNSS diNl ldlSi 10 lear
Belt always remained in the background.
The shares OF the De Beers Company were
not SO profitable as investors had been led
to expect, while those Of the Rand gold
companies were by no means remunera-
tive. The eXactions of the dynamite syndi-
cate. which had a monopoly Of the sale
of explosives in the Transvaal. were a
constant source Of complaint and GrieV-
ance Chamberlain took sides with the
mine owners. and sought to establish some
adjustment with the Transvaal. Others
assert that he was merely seeking pre-
text for the invasion of the Transvaai.
Barnato was dead. Belt, in the back
ground skilfully massed his forces, which
Included wealthy, influential and aristo-
cratic investors in England and potent
mine owners in Africa 1t began to be
apparent that something must be done to
save these investments, or at least to
keep the face of the company intact, and
SO the train Of operations when atalast
precipitated the Transvaal war was be-
gun.
The history of the Transvaal war, be-
yond its inception. is no part Of this mar
rative, except that Rhodes and Belt both
led the British to believe that 1900 men
could march straight to Pretoria. 1hey
evidently realized that the war once be-
gun was bound TO be concluded by the
occupation of the Transvaal by the Brls-
| ah. Meanwhile Chamberlain, no matcn
tor Kruger as a dip!omatist, made ms
terms constantly harder, the u4tImatu1h
resulted and the rest in history.
Throughout the siege Of hlmberieE,
Rhodes, who is the essence Of pluck ana
courage remained al Kimberley, While
throughout the war Belt was IN LONDON
The latter was rarely heard from IN the
carly stages OF the fighting. wniie the Dflt-
. -sl were being defeated, the war was too
a. Cn,I h
African mining magnates with it too well
known to make it we'll for him to De
conspicuous. After the relief of Eimber-
ley, Rhodes did go to London, but was
so disguised with his reception that ne
returned almost instantly to South Area.
AN AMERICAN BEAUTY
Meanwhile in London, Paris and Berlin,
indeed everywhere on the continent, there
were resounding praises of the beauty and
wit, the generosity and grace OF Mrs
Ladenburg. IN Paris, the American col
ony fairly wo"sliped at her shrine, nor
were Europeans less devoted. Bet. re-
firing man, worth thousand millions OF
dollars, but scarcely ever seen IN pubic.
heard CT this famous American beauty
He had before that been reported en-
gagged to various women, among them
Mary Moore, a brilliant beauty of Charles
Wyndham'S company
The wooing, If wooing it may be termed,
was brief but effective. Belt went to Parls
and secured an Introduction to MIS-. La
denburg. He was soon in love, and those
who witnessed his attentions say. that
she seemed scarcely less 50. Happily
there could not be any sordid suspicion
about the affair, for Mrs. J.adenburS al
ready had millions enough, AID Bet could
add nothing to her effective wealth.
The engagement, nevertheless, savors OF
the singular romance that comes from the
faint doubt Of Mr. LadenburS's death
His relatives do not doubt that he is dead,
nor does any one else conversant with the
facts OF the case Yet it may take a jul
dicfa! decree to satisfactorily establish it,
in the event that the nuptals Of the
couple are 10 be celebrated in France.
Such a decree. moreover could not De
rendered by the French courts, Mr.. Laden
burg having been q citizen OF the United
States. Neither is there any provision BY
which such a decree could be rendered in
England. The law there does permit the
judIcia! determination of an absentee's
death for the purpose OF settling any es-
tate in England which would otherwise
remain undistributed
1t may he, therefore, that for the sake
OF absolute security, Mrs. ladenburS may
app!y to the courts Of New York for a
decree establishing the fact of her nus
bands death: or perhaps what is even
more likely. she may dispense with the
legal Formally. aud, depending upon the
absolute probabilities in the case. proceed
to marry without more ado
When she becomes Mrs. Belt, she, with
her husband. Will live in the magnificent
mansion in Park Lane, which was begun
Y the late Rarnev Barnato. and remained
uutinishe-! when the latter died.
Cecil Rhodes who is noted woman
hater, has not been heard from. But it is
not likely that his views on matrlmony
viii influence his shrewd and determined