The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-21
REFUSEDS2OO,OOO
Major AthertOn of the Prince Of
Wales Lancers
Brings Suit Against His Wife
For Divorce.

London, Feb. z1.-Major 4. J. Ather-
ton, second in cmomand Of the Twelfth
(Prince of Wales) Lancers, now in
South Africa has filed a suit for divorce
against his wife, Mabel Louisa Atherton.
naming the Duke OF Westminster as CO.
respondent.
With the announcement of the filing
Of the suit of -.Atherton vs.Atherton and
Westminster" the long anticipated -di-
vorce proceedings Of Major Atherton
against his wife, with the Duke of
Westminster figuring in the role Of CO.
respondent have at length materialized.
Within the past Sc hours a lawyer who
is looked upon as the leader of the d.
vOrce court bar has been retained i'm be-
half of the petitioner. The case cannot
be aired in court at any rate for some
months ard possibly not before autumn
and the friends OF the just married duke
may succeed in compromising the matter
and preventing a trial But as Major
Atherton is reported to have already re-
fused a check for E4O, 900, as compensa-
ton for the injury he is said to have
sustained. the task ahead of those who
are trying to arrange settlement,
among whom is said to be King Edward
himself would seem to be insuperable.
The petitioner in this sensational scan
dal belongs to one of the crack reg1-
ments in the British army, the Twelfth
(Prince Of Wales Royal) Lancers Major
Atherton ought TO have succeeded to the
command of the regiment when its late
COlOIlEls the Elc1ll OF ElE31Ct was Killed II
South Africa in June last, but he was
passed over in favor Of Col. B. r. Ma
hon who commanded the British forces
which relieved Mafeking.
The respondent, Mabel Louise Ather-
ton, is a sister Of Sir Aubrey Paul, Barc.
She married the major in 1892. They
have one son. born in 1899. Mrs. Ather-
ton is a good looking stylish woman
about 35 years of age. She belongs to
London's smart set When Mrs. Ather-
ton went to South Africa her husbands
regiment was with Lord Methuen's
command at the Modder river and she
proceeded there Mrs Atherton was a
the MOdder river camp with other wo-
men when DR.. Treves denounced the
plague of women" at the front in South
Africa. The Duke Of Westminster, then
Lord Belerave and the brother of a well
known South African millionaire, whose
name has been mentioned with that of
Mrs. Atherton, We're at the same camp.
For long time Major Atherton remain
ed in Ignorance OF the camp gossip but
finally some OF his brother officers noti-
fed him of the facts in the case Mrs
Atherton returned to England in OctO-
Der and stopped Off at the island of Ma
deria- There she took passage on a
steamer which was taking the Duke Of
Westminster home They arrived in
London November 5. Since the return Of
Mrs. AthertO1 the Grosvenor fanily(the
dukes name is Hugh Richard Arthur
Grosvenor) has been engaged. in an at
tempt to prevent the case getting into
the courts. The countess of Grosvenol
the dukes mother invited Mrs Atberto,1
to her home. This move silenced the.
gossips for some time. Then came the
report of the service of a citation on the
Duke Of Westminster the day of his
marriage, which was tlisprOved bv the
fact that the suit was not then fled. The
Duke Of Westminster was married at St
Pauls church. KniEhtsbridge, London
February 16s to Miss Shelagh West
daughter Of Col William CORVALLIS
West