Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-31
Miss EIkins Preparing for Mar
riage to Abruzzi.
TO WE'D BEFORE NEW YEAR
Mnnifcence Of Senator Expected to
Overcome Objections.
MAY HAVE TO SELL RAILROAD
Cipher Dispatches From Royal
Suitor to Prospective Bride
Bring Cheerful News.

ELKINs W. Va, October 3l.-Antici-
pating that the objections Of Queen Mar
gherita will eventually be overcome. prep
arations for the wedding Of Miss kath-
crime Elkins to the Duke of the Abruzz,
are now being made.
Unless there Is an un.ooked-for change
in present plans the wedding will take
place in Washington before January 1.
The winter home Of Senator Elkins has
been decided upon In preference to the
country estate because of the limited IA
cilities to be found in the latter.
Hotel accommodations would prove in
adequate to take care Of the numerous
guests, and the railroad service is SO poor
that it would be necessary to run special
trains The four homes owned by
the Davis and Elkins families could ac-
commodate about one hundred guests.
but even then there would not be room
enough for those who will receive we'd
ding Invitations.
Miss Elkins drove to the village and
received two cablegrams from the duke
yesterday Both were in cipher.
The daily receipt of these cablegrams
indicates that the royal sutton Is keeping
Miss Elkins in close touch with his move
ments and of his efforts to obtain con-
sent for the nuptials None Of Miss FL
kins' friends has any doubt that this con-
sent will finally be given.
Miss Elkins Happy.
The prospective bride Is now happier
than she has been since the dukes de-
parture for Italy. This is believed to be
due to the encouraging tenor Of the daily
n h0n1a
say Miss Elkins is studying the Italian
language. and sings Italian melodies.
AS in the case of all marriages between
nobiemen and American heiresses. there
will be dowry for the duke. In this
instance it will be substantial one, 1t
being stated by the senator's intimate
friends that 100000 in cash will be
placed to the credit of the royal explorer
in some Italian banking house on the day
the marriage takes place. E.
The duke Is cognizant Of the generous
intention Of his father-in-law to be. 1t is
believed this will prove to be his most
effective argument in eventually winning
the consent Of the queen mother. A set
tlement of some kind would be necessary
in order that the couple might live UP to
their position.
The dukes income is only $4,000 year
Some of his exploring and scientific ex-
petitions were costly affairs and made
serious inroads on his financial resources.
Grandfather Is Willing.
A significant remark made recently by
Senator Henry Gassoway Davis is caus-
ing considerable comment. The old SEN
ator is known to be heartily in favor Of
the marriage.
In discussing it with prominent poll
tician he said:
IF Steve can't put up the money I will
The suggested inability of the senator to
get sufficient amount OF ready money is
interesting in view Of some negotiations
he Is known to have on hand looking to-
ward the sale Of some of his most valua-
bic properties.
The Baltimore and Ohio railroad has
been anxious to purchase the Morgantown
and Kingwood railroad. This railroad Is
the personal property Of Senator Elkins
and it Is perhaps the most valuable In his
possession.
Although the road only covers a stretch
of forty-nine miles, 1t owns $4,000 acres Of
rich coal land and 500 coke ovens. The
property Is worth about $6,OOOO 600, and
the Baltimore and Ohio Is willing to pay
that figure. The senator. however, is hold
ing out for a bigger price.
His recent visit to New York 1t is
learned. was for the purpose OF talking
the matter over with the president of the
Baltimore and Ohio. No definite decision
officers having taken the senator's propo-
sit!On under adyisement.
Mrs. Elkins. unlike her husband, is said
to be heartily in favor of the match. Her
refusal to discuss 1t in any way is due TO
her desire to avoid any embarrassment to
the duke and also to protect her daughter
should the match fall through.
Mrs. Elkins is her daughters constant
companion. They spend hours each day
studying French and Italian.
To ut 4, HI III
sive photograph has been installed in the
great living room. Original records with
songs and speeches, together with ordi-
nary conversation are listened to for
hours by mother and daughter.
BY this means they have made rapid
progress in advancing themselves In the
native language of the duke.
Elkins Visits Cardinal.
BALTIMORE. October Ex-senator Ell
kins called at Cardinal Gibbons residence
yesterday morning and had a long chat
with the prelate.
1t Is believed that it marks one of the
steps toward the marriage of Miss Elkins
and the Duke of the Abruzzi. That the
cardinal will perform the ceremony in this
country is generally believed, but most
clergymen of the city say they have
found the prelate reticent on the subject
Abruzzi May Elope With Bride.
NAPLES, October 31.-The latest SEN
sation to be reported concerning the Duke
of the Abruzzi and Miss Katherine Elklns
is that the couple will marry privately
and unknown to the public in order to
escape the curiosity of the crowd.
Then. after the occurrence. they will
announce the fact officially, giving at the
same time the date OF their union.
It is reported also that the duke and
his wife will land at Naples on their
arrival from America and for a short
tiIpe be the guests of the dukes brother
and his wife. the Duke and Duchess OF
Aosta.