Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-10-21
MISS ELxrNs AND THE DUKE.

1 well remember Hon. H. G. Davis, then
United States senator from West Viz
ginia, and remember even better his
wife and two daughters, both of them
unmarried at that time. Hon. Stephen
EIkins represented New Mexico as a dele
gate in the house of representatives and
was a reputed millionaire from that
western territory.
His wealth made him a catch for mar
riageable women and after while one
of the Misses Davis became Mrs. Elkins
Hon H. G.. Davis started out in life as
a brakeman on the Baltimore and OHIO
railroad, but was a shrewd investor and
as the years rolled on he also became
very wealthy as the owner of large coal
and iron interests, in the state of West
Virginia. Mr.. Davis went into the SEN
ate because of this large wealth, DEFEAT
ing Hon. Charles j. Faulkner, who was
at one time minister to France and whose
wife and daughters were very familiar
with Empress Eugene, the lacy who
set the fashion in hoop skirts for the
world.
Being quite well acquainted with the
Faulkner family, | heard good deal OF
the Davis family, and so l imagine l
| have had considerable acquaintance
with Miss Katherine Elkins' forbears.
The wealth that her father was able to
| furnish this daughter made her attract
i've to the Italian duke, for without her
wealth she would not have appealed to
him in any way.
This is a plain statement, but to all
who are familiar with American heir
esses and foreign dukelets. princelets
and those of lesser degree 1t is also
foregone' conclusion that the money
made the charm and to use an OLD pro
verb. Money makes the mare go. For
I've nave
| finding special dispatches in the newspa-
pers as to the contamination OF the en-
gagement of Miss Elkins and the Italian
duke, or perhaps a full statement as 10
the opposition of the Italian family 10
the proposed match.
One dav the wind would be in the
west: the next day, due west, ana very
chilly east wind to boot. one DAY the
! lady would be found in readiness to
marry: the next day, the law had peen
read out to the duke, as to what would
hammer to him If he broke across the
boundary between royal privileges and
pIebian propensities.
They could marry any time If the duke
would Law down his chances to promo
ton in Italy, but Miss Elkins was after
the title. and she would not agree to
he plain Mrs. and pay so much
for nothing at all, after the title be-
came nil.
! The duke wanted the Elkins' money
awfully, and doubtless the girl pleased
his fancy likewise, but when he care
fully considered what he would have
to forego if he married beneath himself,
according to his kinsfolks logic. then he
balked at the matrimony.
But the story has kept the wires and
the newspapers hot, and l should not
be surprised to hear that sports are bet
ting on the business. Some are of the
opinion that money still will win the
dukelet; others are contending that Miss
EIkins will have the title in fee simple,
or pa Elkins will keep his ducats in
the same old place and his daughter at
home, as usual
But what a poor thing it all has been
to keep two continents guessing as to
whether the money will ultimately win
the duke-and buy the coveted title.