Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-15

best Of the situation and brought her two
sons into the world without announcing
her domestic sorrow. Season after season
her grace was able to show the world how
to live behind the mask, but few years
ago Mt Benheim the Americans patience
II cached Its end A fascinating American
| girl long a close friend of the Marlbor-
| cughs, was staying at the magnificent
| country seat with the duke and duchess
| The housekeeper gave in her notice to the
| duchess and explained her cause for re-
ncuncing so pleasant a berth.
GOADrD TO DESPERATION.
The duchess cabled to her father. Will
liam X. Vanderbilt. then in France. and
on a sultry August day there was a meet
Ing in London to discuss the affair Mr.
Vanderbilt insisted on a separation. but
the duchess was only too willing to make
a further attempt to palliate the dukes
| orfenses. 1t was the mildness and sweet
ness of his wife which goaded the duke.
| end finally the duchess tried other tactics.
| Like the heroine in the comedy, the duch-
| oss beamed on the various charming cous-
| ms Of Marlborough and apparently gave
| no heed to her husbands comngs and 60
irgs.
| 1t was at this point tina. the duke did
| the unspeakable things which cost him so
| many friends. The duchess Is very deaf.
| and the duke would forever make scath-
| inu remarks while she was present and
| unable to defend herself. Blenhem de-
>eloped into n hotbed of Ill temper and the
| ducal quarrel broke down the health OF
the duchess It was at the final tiff that
| the Duchess of Marlborough, dashed to
fury and her pride aroused. made the
statement which so unjustly gave her
husband the whip hand
KING ADVISES DUCHESS.
She said: you don't think I'm at
ltractive | may not be to you. but TO
your cousins, Freddie Guest for In
stance" This little outburst of hurt
vanity was repeated by the duke to
his aunt, Lady Sarah Wilson. who
never had liked the Duchess of MARI
borough or the mother. Mrs. oliver Bel
mont The Marlborough scandal was
repeated to King Edward. whose eff
forts to avord a public washing of
linen were bound to be needed. He
tactfully requested the duchess 70
avoid litigation. and she consented for
a while.
Years ago the King, then Prince of
Wales. had been displeased when the
Vanderbilts sough. to buy Marlborough
House, the town house. now occupied
by Queen Alexandra, but he had over
looked this presumption when the
duchess proved so ornamental and ac-
complished figure in London society.
1t may have been the old rancor; IT
lmay have been the duchess's disobe-
dionce in putting her case into law
yers hands, but IT is more likely that
when Lady Sarah repeated to the King
the boast of the duchess. that he turn
ell against the American girl His
sympathy was withdrawn. He was
"fed-up on the thrilling Marlborough
case. He Ord not want the reputation
of Anglo-American marriages be-
smirched.
SNUBBED BY EDWARD.
There was a meeting of the knights
of the Garter at Windsor Castle. and the
Duke of Marlborough was expected az
the banquet Then the genial King Ed
ward did the one thing which showed q
lack Of tact. Her grace was not invited
In the public lists the Duke Of Marbor
oughs name stood without his spouse
This cut direct caused a furore as tho
King might so easily have intimated &c
an invited duchess that shc would better
stay away.
! 1t was the cruelty of the blow that de
i termined precedent to the duchesss dis
r advantage. The snub OF Edward barred
l her from court for all time. II has beer
explained that the present sovereign:
have no personal dislike to the duchess
lut that they must uphold the decision Of
; the seventh Edward
\ In vain does the Marchioness of Bland
ford, the dukes mother, associate hersel
with Consuelo. In vain do the Dowager
l Duchess Of Roxburghe and the hisl
souled Lady de Ramsey give their sup
port to the ill-treated wife OF their heart
less nephew. II is the rigid court decree
which eliminates the Duchess Of Marlbor
ough Her recent evening party was Z
u gathering Of loyal friends rather than
brilliant soiree.
BUSY IN CHARITABLE WORK.
f American Ambassador and Mrs
o Whitelaw Reid continue to be kind t.
her grace, and the Duchess Of RoxburEhc
@ and the Countess Of Granard are equallr
4 considerable, but so long as the gates
h of the palace are closed to this duchess
her position Is one of extreme humilia-
ton. There may be talk of dcfying tho
present court and being smart withJu,
| royal sanction. 1t is nonsense and the
c dubious place the duchess now occupies
: is both CALLING and difficult.
The duchess has plunged into charitable
: work and public movements and there
is said to be deep sincerity beneath her
= labors. Even these good works will never
win her the official forgiveness and
when the history of England's court is
, written, the martyrdom of the duchess
from the United States will have it.
. chapter VIII posterity appreciate tina
=, her degradation was the result of hei
:, revolt against the outrages OF an Eng
. fish peer?