The San Francisco call., 1904-06-12
CHAUFFEUR
WINS AN
HEIRESS
London Is Amazed at
lnfatuation of a
Rich Girl.
Love Attracts Young
Lord Brooke to
America.

LONDON, June lit is said that
young Lord Brookes coming visit to
the United States IS due to a desire to
see a pretty American girl whom the
heir to the Warwick earldom and cas-
tie met and fell In love with in Paris
last year. On his return to London he
met her again, and in spite Of the pro-
testations Of his mother he paid her
marked attention He was a constant
visitor at the hotel where she stayed
with her mother and brother. and alto
gether entertained the young lady and
her family most generously. with boxes
at the best theaters and sUppers at the
most fashionable restaurants His
name, in fact, became coupled with
that Of the young lady. who is the
daughter Of a wealthy Wall-street
man, to such an extent that the COun-
tess Of Warwick had 10 interfere a Sec
ond time, but in spite Of all maternal
remonstrances the young lord persisted
in keeping up the acquaintance. So he
is off to New York. where the heiress
has already gone. and the nobleman's
friends will not be surprised TO ~~Cr
the announcement of his engagement.
10 AolONIoLLE4Os
London society is curious to see what
will be the dramatic denouement OF a
strange infatuation on the part of one
of the richest and most popular girls in
London society. Her father and
mother have a big, beautiful house in
Grosvenor place and entertain there on
a scale of great magnifcence- On the
coming Of age Of this girl a few months
since there were great rejOicings. On
this auspiciOus occasion the fond father
settled on her an allowance Of $4,000 a
year
The first thing the girl did after re-
ceiving her first $4,000 was to buy a
motor car; the second to fall in love
with her chauffeur, and the third to
announce her determination to marry
him. At such a wild idea her pa
rents were thunderstruck and from
storming and arguing have taken to
pleading with her. They begged her
to wait one month to see If she would
still be Of the same mind then. To
this she consented, but Immediately
this time had elapsed she declared
that she was still determined to con-
tract a marriage with her chauffeur.
Almost in despair, her parents have
implored her to wait three months be-
fore taking any further steps and to
this she has unwillingIy agreed. Two
months of this time has already gone
by and with each day the distress OF
the parents increases.
The girls father has asked the
chauffeur to accept S5O.0O cash down
instead of marrying his daughter, who
always has been to him as the apple
of his eve. but the chauffeur refuses
point blank. In making this decision
he may be Influenced by the knowl-
edge that if the father does not help
them during his lifetime the girl will
have $4,000 a year and must come into
at least $4,000 later on when her
father dies.
FLAT-HUNTING THE RAGE
There has never been such a de-
mand for fashionable flats and eligible
family mansions in London by Amer
leans as there is this season Own
ers of such places had expected a
slump in consequence Of the St
Louis Exposition, but Mayfair is fair
" invaded by transatlantic visitors
and persons having furnished houses
to let there can get almost any price
they demand for the season. The
Duchess of Marlborough and Lady
Craven will vie with each other in
establishing a record in the fashion
able quarters for brilliant entertain
ing. Their presence there appears to
be an attraction for rich Americans.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Field Clapp of
st. Louis have taken a house on Cur
zon street for the season. They will
be Joined there later on by Mr.. Clapp's
sister, Mrs. Cromwell Webb of Wash
ington, whose daughters will for the
first time made the acquaintance OF
English society.
There appears to be a great run OF
country mansions also this season.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Priestley Button
of Philadelphia have taken Claybrooke
Hall, near Rugby. It has been suf-
fering from neglect for a number of
years and it will cost at least $4,000
to put it into decent, habitable repair.
1t is an oId-fashioned country place,
but there is plenty Of hunting and fish,
ing in the immediate neighborhoOd-
Mr.. and Mrs. Button will have Tor
near neighbOrs Mr.. and Mrs. Norman
IOney of New York, who have recent
lv acquired Wiloughby Hail. The
I.oneys lead a rather retired life. and,
although they have every facility for
entertaining, they have not shown any
disposition to do so. Mr.. Loney made
his money in Wall street, but since he
has settled in England he has given
his neighbors the idea that he does not
care for the excitement of city life.
There is a farm attached to Willough-
by Hall, where he.cUltivates the vege-
tables necessary for the household.