The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-03
LOSS At MONTE CARLO
William K. Vanderbilt Drops
100000 There.
HIS EX-WiFE LOOKING ON
Meanwhile, Much Enjoying
His Discontinue.

New York, April Especial CORE
spondence from Monte Carlo to the Jour.
nal says: Mrs. Oliver H. P. Belmont and
her former husband, w. K. Vanderbilt
have been playing face to face at the
gambling tables of Monte Carlo.
Every visitor, American and European
at this resort has had an opportunity tc
witness this scene in the development OF
| one Of the most interesting matrimonial
| dramas Of modern American society.
Imagine the scene. At one side Of the
| green table the leading member of the
richest family in America At the other
side the woman who was his wife for
| twenty years.
The man plays with $1,000 bills, which
are less to him than cents to most men.
The woman plays with small gold pieces
and with feverish interest.
She pretends not to see him, but really
sees him lose with a slight malicious
pleasure. tempered by the knowledge that
the loss means so little to him
Between them move their children, who
politely behave as if their pa and ma
were on the best of terms imaginable.
Around them are innocent tourists. a
sprinkling of Europe's highest aristocracy
and the scum of EuroDes lowest society.
"Faites vos jeux, messieurs; faites vos
ieuxp'
"Rien ne va Dlusi' cry the coupiers
Hopes rise high. hearts are broken. men
and women dream of luxury or sink deep
er into sin and ruin.
Without-the tideless sea and the blue
sky, the most beautiful scenery and the
most delightful climate upon earth
1t is fascinating place, and its fascil-
nation draws all sorts and conditions Of
people to it from the ends of the earth.
SO great is its attractive power that a
man and woman who could not be held
together by marriage cannot help meet
ing face to face at its gambling tables.
Mrs. Belmont arrived on the Riviera a
few weeks ago with her daughter the
Duchess of Marlborough, from England.
The Duchess is accompanied by her two
children, the older of whom is Marquis of
Blandford and prospective Duke of MARI
borough. Mrs. Belmont was accompanied
by Harold Vanderbilt, her youngest son.
This party made its headquarters az the
Hotel Grande Bretagne, at Nice, from
which it is a pleasant drive to Monte
Carlo
Then w K. Vanderbilt arrived on his
steam yacht Valiant, the largest in the
world. He made his headquarters on the
ocean and left the land to his former
wife, Mrs. Belmont
Before these two contingents arrived
young William X Vanderbilt, Jr., was
already there with his wife, who was Miss
Virginia Fair They had an apartment
on the DUAL Massena The various divi-
sions of the Vanderbilt family were.
therefore, well represented at the Riviera.
All Of them were equally attracted by
the Casino at Monte Carlo, and it was in
evitable that they should meet there
Mrs. Belmont and W. X. Vanderbilt the
older went there every day and although
they did not try to take the same table,
luck was sure to bring them together
One evening Mr.. Vanderbilt lost some
thing at every table but one, and finally
tried that, where he found his former
wife playing. He lost there, too.
Monte Carlo, now the only frst-class
gambling resort in the world, is the capt.
tai of the toy principality of Monaco.
This is permitted to exist by the Repub-
lie of France, which thereby derives a
large profit without admitting that it con-
ducts a gambling layout.
The gambling house bears the official
title of 1.-The Anonymous Society of the
Sea Baths and Strangers Club Of Mon
AGO."
The people of Monaco are not allowed
to play. because if they did they would
all be beggars or suicides before long. In
stead of that they grow rich on the Ieav-
ings of the gamblers and present
pleasant picture to the world of the ben
efits of gambling.
In order to gain admission to the Ca
sino, as the gambling establishment is
called, you must give your name and ad-
dress at the ticket office, and present
fairly respectable appearance The at
tendants have highly trained eyesight
and memories, and are careful TO exclude
any one who has made trouble at the
place before. They will not admit a man
in knickerbockers nor a woman who is
without a hat or fiashily dressed. Their
ideal of a player is a man who looks like
an undertaken.
Only last year Lord Salisbury. the Brit
ish Prime Minister. was refused admit
lance because he was wearing a shock
ing old SLOUGH hat. His servant came up.
and, being neatly dressed, was able to ar
range matters.
When W. X. Vanderbilt comes I'd he
passes in under an avalanche Of bows and
smiles, for he is we'll known at the Cast
no.
He always plays the limit In roulette
and trente ct quarante. the two princi-
pal games here The limit at roulette IS