The San Francisco call., 1905-03-16
Special Correspondence Of The call.

LONDON, March 15.-If only ii could
be told in fun, there is little doubt that
the story Of how a London barmaid Of
obscure parentage attained social
prominence and just missed becoming
a msrchioness would be about as dra-
matte and sensational as anything in
fiction.
Starting out with nothing but a pret-
ty face, this daughter Of the people
eventually got together money enough
20 set I'D q luxurious establishment
She cOntriVed to get her name enshrin-
ed in the ark Of the covenant Of the
British ristocracy-Burke's Peerage-
as the daughter of a Spanish viscom-
tesse. whose title she claimed to have
inherited, and a highly connected de-
ceased officer in the British navy. She
made people believe that she was the
widow Of a wealthy man, who was the
son Of an English baronet And finally
she came within an ace Of wedding
one of the DrOudest titles in England.
Because Of the sudden withdrawal of
her suit for breach of promise against
the Marquis Of Townshend, before her
counsel had concluded his opening
speech the greater part of this story
viii probably never be written. But
what has been revealed Of il is uncom-
nouement Of course admits Of only one
sconclusion-that Mrs. Evelyn Diana
Turnour Sheffield, as she styles herself,
dared not face the evidence which the
other side was prepared to bring for
ward TO sustain their allegations that
she was an impostOr and an adventur-
ess.
HIS FORMAL PROPOSAL.
It was in the summer of 1903 that she
first met the Marquis. Less than three
months sufficed 10 bring him to her
feet Whatever her life had been, her
youthful good looks were sufficiently
well preserved TO enable her to pass for
dashing and sprightIy widow, a good
five years younger than the forty years
10 which she now pleads guilty. While
the n0bleman wOoed. the woman, ac-
cording to her counsel. paid the bills
for suppers and various entertain
ments which they attended
NO doubt" said the lawyer, "he as
sumed that she was a wealthy widow,
and as she had been to New York he
imagined that she was overfiowing
with money"
There was not much display Of sem
timentality in his proposal Of marriage.
This is what he wrote:
Ny Dear Mrs. shefheId-sinee first had
The pleasure of eeeing you and enjoying your
Kindness and hospitality have not only looked
gladll forward TO every visit i have paid you,
but have each time found a friend in you, and
have come TO the conclusion that you the
friend Z have always needed-warrn-hearte
e5mpa thetic and sincere above all and will
main so through life This being the case,
] now write 10 ask you IL you viii do that
which VIII make me permanently happy man.
] assure you I VIII do my utmost in return
Nll TCu be my Wife,
She told him she would when he
called to get his answer. It may be
assumed that her acceptance of the
offer was couched in more ardent Ian
guage than ne had employed in maxi
ing ii. That she might lose no time
in setting about the task Of rendering
him permanently happy, and incident
ally becoming q Marchioness. the date
Of the wedding was fixed for only
eleven days later.
ASKS FOR FORTUNE.
One can well imagine that those
eleven days were the most anxious
ones Of her life. She had played her
cards with consummate skill. As the
Marchioness Of Townshend her posi-
slon would be assured, and with the
record in Burke's Peerage to sustain
her pretensions Of birth there could
be little danger that any one would