The Washington times., 1908-10-30
ElkinS-AbruZzi Announce
ment Now Awaits Ap-
proyal of Royalty.
FATHER UNWILLING
IF COURT OBJECTS
Rumor That Miss Elkins Has Be
gun to Prepare For We'd
Z ding Denied.
BY WAITER ]. FAHY.


ELKINS. W. Va, oct. SO.-If the OBJ
Jections OF Queen Margherita can be
set aside or overcome, Miss Katherine
Elkins. daughter OF United States SEN
aJor S. 3 El6ins, viii become the bride
OF the Duke Of the Abruzzi- The we'd
asding viii probably take place in Wash
ingJOu some time before the drst of the
gear.
Senator EIzins and the members Of
his family are maintaining a dignihed
silence, and they viii make no state
menJ until the duke informs them
whether he has obtained the consent OF
the members of the royal family. If
be is successful he viii come to the
United States Immediately. II he fails.
the Ellcins family probably viii treat
the matter as though AN engagement
had never been under consideration.
Only on the conditions that the unan-
imOus consent Of the members Of the
relgning family OF Italy To The proposed
match is obtained and the positive as
surance from the duke that Miss Ell
kins would be cordially received at
court, viii the members of Miss EI1ins'
family consent to the marriage.
No Disappointment.
Intimate friends tof the family here
say that no disappointment would be
1elt If the proposed match failed 20 ma
IerialiZe. This Is not due 10 any III
feeling toward the duke, but is based
on the belief that some members OF
the royal family would bitterly resent
the intrusion of an American. Until
they are convinced that such state
OF affairs is outside the range Of posi-
biIity the marriage viii not be serious
y considered.
Miss Elkins is making no plans for the
wedding. She not only has not ordered
her trousseau, but has not even planned
IL. She has been entertaining several
girl friends recently and this has given
rise TO the report that she has already
selected her bridesmaids. Such is nor
the case however and the advices from
1eal5 rele-EiEs 10 sthe progress being
made by the duke in his efforts 10 gain
consent 70 the marriage 'Vil have to
be much more definite before pUelimi-
nary arrangements OF any kind are
made.
Business associates OF Senator EIklns
declare that his opposition TO the mar
rage IS due solely TO his apprehension
Tor his daughters future happiness, and
il is said that he would be entirely
satisfied If the Queen mother persisted
III opposing the marriage. The Senator
entertains no feeling against the duke.
On the contrary he respects him highly
and believes him to be sincere in his
attentions. IL is the possibility OF
strained relations with the court that
makes the Senator hesitate 10 give
hearty approval 10 the match.
RumOrs Denied.
Reports that Miss EIlIins is prepar-
tng TO become a member Of the Catholic
church. and that she has consulted
Cardinal Gibbons several times, is said
90 be without foundation. The cardinal
IS an old friend OF the family, and he
has always been a frequent visitor at
the Elllins summer home, but he has
not been asked 10 give spiritual in
sJTUctOus 10 Miss ElLdrs
That Miss ElkIEs IS being advised of
the progress being. made by her suiJor
is made evident by the cabiegrams
which pass between the two daily, in
addition TO the numerous letters from
italy which arrive here each week. Sen
ator and Elrs E.Eius viii 90 20 their
winter hon in Washington November
lJ. Miss E.lius viii, however. remain
here until about December j. She spends
most OF her time riding and driving
about the mountainous country sur
rounding her fathers estate. accom-
panied by the friends who are visiting
her.