Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
KING OFFENDS THE LADIES
Edward Chooses Friends Of Whom
DANES Do Not Approve.
HE KEEPS HIS FRIENDS, AT THAT
whatever Else the Rufer Of England
Is, He r. Not Tickle as Re-
CARDS the Friendships
He Forms.

LONDON. Nov. 2L-Cspecial)-There
have been ructions at some of the country
houses where the king had lately been
visiting because his majesty, for once set
ting aside a precedent-a thing he rarely
does-has asked Consuelo, duchess of Man
chester to sit on his right when the usual
photograph of the party has been taken.
This is a proposition always assigned to
the hostess. As usual in such cases it
is not the hostesses themeive but their
gusets. who have criticised and suggested
that the lady OF the house has been
"%slighted."
The truth is, young and ambitious women
who pine for the notice of King Edward,
whose recognition Immediately proclaims
a woman the fashion and a social leader,
are 30 envlous of the position the American
duchess holds in his favor that many of
them are ready to go to any extremes. To
them 1t is incomprehensible that she should
be preferred to them with their youth and
beauty.
King Edward may have his faults, but
he is not tickle and once he makes a
friend. she is a friend for ever. unless she
does something outre or stupid to break
the bond. Consuelo, duchess of Manchester,
is a past mistress in tact, and is never
likely to do anything foolish. At any rate,
the fact remains, she is as great a chum
today with the king and for that matter
with Queen Alexandra, as she was thirty
years ago.
Society is looking out anxiously for the
next batch of photographs at royal house
parties to see IL Consuelo will hold the
same position as in the recent ones, which
have furnished so much gossip in Mayfair
as well as In the country.
Americans Go south.
Numbers of the best Americans have al
ready. gone south and will not be seen
here again much before April. They dread
the November fogs in London and the
general gloom Of the winter. Mrs. James
Mcdonald, who for the last year and a
half may be said to have been only a
bird Of passage at her house in Cadoean
square. arrived with her husband a little
while ago. but left almost directly. He
is at last in better health. but she is
having trouble with her sight and has re-
Questioned the services of a famous Ger
man oculist, who IS treating her in Paris.
The McDonalds have taken a villa at the
Riviera, and will be there all the winter,
as 1t is stl imperative for Mr.. Mcdonald
to winter abroad. Although they both like
London, they regard It as impossible from
November to April. No one is more missed
here than Mrs. Mcdonald. her charming
and amusing hen" parties being among
those that Englishwomen used to enjoy be-
cause she made a point of having good
takers present.
The Fords have also gone south. Mrs.
Ford Is q daughter of Mrs. Cavendish
Bentinck and hsr husband, who has been
for Uaara In nOOr haaltb .1oaa ynt urno,
much stronger, with the result that some
of Mrs. Ford's exquisite trousseau has
never been, worn. She goes but little into
society, making thereby a great contrast
10 her younger sister, Mrs. Burns, who
shines therein as such a bright and par
ricular star.
Mrs. MRckay's Open House. ed
Mrs. Mackay has open house at the beau
fVlful chateau, st. Michael, one of the finest
houses at Cannes, which she rents from
Lord Glenesk. The late Lady Glenesk was
very fond of this house and, having been
a highly cultured and artistic woman. she
filled 1t with beautiful things, to which
many Of the present hostess still more
valuable possessions are now added. At st.
Michael is a beautiful studio which Lady
Glenesk had built for her own use, she be-
ing quite an accomplished artistic. This
Mrs. Mackay mas nad turned INTO a chapel.
just now there is a large party staying
at the villa, among others Countess Tel
fener. the hostess sister, and the young
Princess di Stigliano. who has the reputa-
tion of being the best dressed woman IN
the place.
Edelweiss, one of the most famous villas
on the Riviera, is also rented by that very
smart American, Madame dc. Breteuil, who
is so popular in the royal set here and a