Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-09-22
HElRESS IS ANNOYED
Mysteriously Worded and Abusive
Letters Sent to Miss Drexel
GIRL MADE HER DEBUT IN LONDON
She at Once Became Popular in Mast
Exclusive Circles.
NOTES COME FROM CHICAGO
They Protest Against Alleged Inten-
tion to Enter Convent.
STORY OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH
STORY OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH
CircumstantisI and Pathetic Account
of Her Intention to Abandon
the World without
Foundation.


by Antony Drexel. is being bombarded
by scores of abusive letters from the
United States. Many of these letters are
mysteriously worded, a majority are
anonymous and all are addressed TO Miss
Margaretta Drexel.
Miss Drexel is the 1S-year-old heiress
OF the Antony Drexel millions. She made
her debut in London society this last
season and at Cowes was a noted belle
at the most exclusive social functions of
the yachting season. The letters, which
are arriving daily. are mostly abusive.
Some are worse. They all protest against
the beautiful young heiress alleged in
tention Of abandoning society and the
Protestant faith to enter a Roman Cath
Ollie convent The Drexel household Is
naturally thrown into a state of violent
unrest by the activity of these letter
writer's. Despite the fact that they are
addressed to Miss Drexel herself none
reach her. The mail arriving at Carlton
House terrace is closely examined, espe-
cially that from the states. No chances
taken and where there is any doubt
Of the sender the letters are Immediately
opened and later burned Miss Drexel
sees none of them In fact she does not
know that the persecution still con-
tinues.
The Drexels are all at the country
house they have leased in Wiltshire. They
are entertaining a large house party
for the shooting. But in London they
have left Mrs. Antony Drexers private
secretary to receive the letters and to
guard against Miss Drexel receiving any
of them or possible crank caller.
Emanated from Chicago.
saw the secretary the other day about
the extraordinary state of affairs. 1t is
he tn a N
from Chicago regarding Miss Drexel's re-
tirement into a convent The persecu-
tion, he thinks, is an organized one and
has it's headquarters also in Chicago, for
a majority OF the letters received are
Aostmarked from that city and the sur
N4ounding western country. The motive
lfor such an organized persecution. II
there is one, is quite d mystery. There
is no clue whatsoever to the letter writ
ers. those who sign names giving no
addresses. The police have as yet not
been appealed to, but action will GER
.ainly be taken by Mr. Drexel If the let
ters continue much longer.
The convent canard is current in Lon
don Indeed, / heard II at of the
clubs only the other day with many en-
bellishments,
London is much interested In Miss Drexel
She made her debut at one OF the royal
courts in the spring and from that mo-
ment was one OF the spoiled darlings of
society. She was regarded as the greatest
beauty. the richest debutante and the most
accomplished girl in the great world OF
London. Her success was really wonder
full She fascinated everybody. King Ed
ward and Queen Alexandra singled her out
for special attentions and openly ex-
pressed their admiration.
az
leaders of American society this year and
the acknowledged best dressed woman in
town, spent a fortune on her daughter s
gowns and Jewels On good authority l
have 1t that the young American belle
received three and four offers of marriage
every day Marquises and peers of all
ranks diplomats, the great men of the day
worshiped at her shrine. The three months
history of this fair American during the
last London season would read like a
chapter in the romance of some youthful
queen.
story I'm Great Detail.
Little wonder then that London was
startled at the whispered announcement
that Miss Drexel had determined to enter
convent. AS 1 heard the story there was
30 much detail that II seemed bound to be
true.
aunt is Mother katherine Drexel of the
Convent OF the Sacred Heart at Torres
dale, Pa, and that II was In this convent
that the fair Margaretta had determined
TO become a nun. In her own words she
IL alleged to have said: THE more I see
OF the world and its ways the more I
have realized its hollowness and sham. I
have tired OF IT, My one great desire is 10
leave it,"
At Cowes. when Queen Alexanda went
aboard the DreXel yacht "MarRharita. +"
according to the story, she asked Miss
Drexel why she was so anxious to take
the veil The girl is quoted as saying:
'"rhe gaieties OF the world are false. The
world OF society is insinoere. l can never
be happy In It," Queen Alexandra is re.
ported as being so touched that she went.
The story goes on to tell of alleged
happenings at the great Drexel ball given
IN July. Miss Drexel during the height
OF the dancing. was missed. The search
revealed her kneeling. in all the pomp and
vanity OF her glittering ball dress. at the
foot OF the crucihx in her little white bed
room, praying for those below who through
the giddy waltz were enmeshed in the
wiles of the world. the flesh and the
devil
DrexeIs Are Protestants.
Inv uhhhSi aehlal or the DreNel family,
given TO me the other day brands this
circumstantial story as absurd The
DreNels are Protestants. the branch TO
which the mother superior OF the Torres
dale convent belongs being the only Catho-
Hes Miss DreNeL Till her debut this
year, has been under the ceassless care
Of governess. She has simply delighted
i'm society and her release from restraint.
She has no Catholic tendencies nor marked
religious fervor. As to dancing, she is
passionately fond OF It. and at the bail
mentioned was the instisator OF several
extra dances. Her mother has freouenti,,