New-York tribune., 1902-08-20
VANDERBILT PARTY HERE
DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH RETURNS
AFTER SEVEN YEARS ABSENCE.
MRS. ". K VANDERBILT. JR,, LEARNS OF
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF HER BROTH
ER, CHARLES L FAIR.

ER, CHARLES L FAIR.
Greeted with the news Of the shocking acci-
dent which had caused the death of Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles L Fair. the homecoming OF the
Vanderbilt party on the Kronprinz Wilhelm was
suddenly saddened. But not even this bad news
could entirely dampen the enthusiasm Of the
Duchess Of Marlborough. as she beheld once
more the familiar scenes of New-York Harbor.
With the Duchess were Mr and Mrs. 0. H P.
Belmont and Mr. and Mrs. W K. Vanderbilt,
jr. It was to Mrs Vanderbilt that the news
brought the greatest sorrow. for Mr.. Fair was
her brother. Mrs. Vanderbilt was almost pros
trated by the bad tidings which her husband
carried TO her, and remained in her stateroom
until the ship reached its pier. When she ap
peared the gay summer dress was laid aside and
she wore black and showed evident signs Of
grief she Went ashore leaning on her hus-
bands arm On the pier she was met by her
sister. Mrs. Hermann Oelrichs. who gave her
fearful welcome.
The news Of the death Of the Fairs was re-
ceived on shipboard by wireless telegraphy when
the hronprinz came into communication with
the Nantucket station.
But If the bad news saddened the return for
the entire party, there was still keen and evi-
dent satisfaction written in every line Of the
Duchess of MarIborough's face as she leaned
over the rail and pointed out TO her brother the
landmarks Of the bay. The seven years of alb
sence had brought no change to Consuelo Van
derbilt. To her friends she seemed younger and
more girIish than ever. and her enthusiasm and
spirit made her the life Of the voyage. To the
steerage passengers she had been the goddess
bOuntiful. sending gifts of every sort to the
fellow travellers between decks.
On the steamer yesterday the duchess wore a
dark green silk gown, trimmed with white
tafeta7 a brown picture hat with cream coIored
SIX and brown birds wings and a brown and
and red ribbon belt She also wore a gold
Chate4a4ne- Around her neck was a pearl neck
lace alC on heT right wrist she wore gold
ciTClet. to which were attached a number of
gold keys. These latter called forth from Rob
ert Goelet. who with Mr. and Mrs {. .. Glib
SON joined the Vanderbilt party, the joking
remark that the duchess was carrying the
keys OF BlenheiTn, so the castle wouldn't run
away"
The news that was brought to US at Quar-
antne VIII. Of course, greatly alter our plans"
said Mrs. Belmont. We shall go directly
10 the Waldorf. where We expect TO spend d
few days before my daughter goes TO Newport
IN Newport there viii be no large entertain
ments given in her honor. The duchess VIII
only be here about month, as her social en-
turn"
said:
I saw Mr.. Fair about q week before 7 sailed
Both he and Mrs. Fair had been autOmobiing
in the vicinity Of Paris, although there were
many others who went into the sport quite
much as they did"
". X Vanderbilt jr. also expressed sur
prise al the accident
The news Of Charley Fairs death" said he
has shocked me more than tell 7 rode
with him IN his Mercedes machine only week
before sailed, and he then seemed TO under
stand 1t thoroughly. I do not know how fast he
ever went. but I guess I have ridden as fast
I have sold all my racing automobiles and shall
ride all over here"
4 don't want be arrested for fast riding
here and locked up for six months"
7 saw Richard Croker at Vantage said
O. II. P. Belmont and he is leading a regular
farmers life He has brought his dairy farm
down 10 a paying basis and delights In supertn-
tending everything himself I talked with him
politics. in 4 casual way. ana YOU can rest
assured that he IS not coming back. HIS place
Vantage IS not the vast estate that most
people think II IS I should call IL dewure TX IS
so simple and It is just the retired ch-ef-all's
liking. Everything about il IS modern. even 70
an electric light"
y was surprised 10 hear OF Devery's success
in his district AIT. Croker talked 10 al bout
him, but did not say anything u any news In
terest-" Mr Belmont was asked II he intended
to run for Congress again. : question which
seemed 10 fuster him a little
We'll. I have not thought OF IT," he said. with
a nervous laugh. and therefore do not care
10 discuss it
won two pools OF 5000 each on the ships run