The Monticellonian., 1906-03-08

mer at Ena' conngout ball in Ken slngton palace, that they have been probably much together ever since, would probably heen allowed to wed had not the opportunity been given for the princess to become a queen. They say" the princess rehelled. did not wish to take advantage of the oppor- tunity, much preferred her handsome guardsman, thought to make a match not unlike that ot her aunt, Princess Louise, duchess ot Argyle, who mated with subject. not member of royal family. But ambition led the girls relatives to override her obiec- tons. the guardsman has disappeared from public view King Alfonso's suit E accepted.
 Alfonso is not yet 20 years of age Ena is his junior ny something ever year He is tall and slight and plain she tall and well lnilt. and very good looking II may have been the con- trast that drew the young king, but there seems smail doubt of his devo- ton and ardent sentiments. IL is pros claimed he recently told a courtier: "Ena was born to be a queen and she is worthy of a throne. For her 1 should be happy to relinquish one, and l should be happier she being q queen than in being a king
 The making went on with eer- tain simplicity down there at Biarritz, southern France. where the Princess Henry was sojourning with her daugh- ter. Alfonso made hls headquarters at San Sebastian, Spain, only 30 miles away, Il distance easily covered by an enthusiastic motorist and an enthusi- astic lover But after the preliminar- ies, fOrmality steps in and takes con trol. The young king announces his intentions to his ministers, grandee makes pilgrimage to England to ask of King Edward, head of the family. the hand of the princess. The consent is formally announced on the return of the grandee, ana now the beuothal is q very public affair indeed: every thing must be directed by the most hide bound conventions. Probably there will be many a eeremony-eum- bered day in Spain when the English girl will wish herself back in the land of the free
 A Spanish king and queen are serv- ants of their servants, the rules of the court enforcing formality almost incredible in these free and easy mod ern days. An article in the Chicago Chronicle says everything in the kings household Is regulated by old end musty laws. one law adhered to is that the queen must go to bed at half-past eight in winter and ten ia summer The majesties are ever at tended by a formidable bodyguard. everywhere observed by numerous in quisitiye eyes II does not appear such an enyiable lot. that awaiting the English princess,
 Yet let us bring forward the fact that Alfonso seems a plucky sort of boy. and that he has been reared hv wise mother; he has turned out much better in the way of health and man liness than was feared in his carly youth; is a true Sportsman-a flashing motorist, daring rider and hunter. one of the best shots in Europe. yachtsman that is able 10 take defeat smilingly, He seems 10 get quite a lot Of enjoyment out ef life in spite of the conventions, and maybe his wife will be able to
 She has been chosen from among prineesses of many nations-Alfonso dId a-seeing go, if not a-wooing. all over Europe-to Germany. Austria. Bavaria and England They say he has chosen the prettiest of all the prineesses.
 ELLEN THAYEi