The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-10-30
KATHERINE ELK|NS
WEEDS OLD ADM|RER
Late Senator's Daughter Married
to Billy" Hit.
REPORTED ENGAGED TO DUKE
AbruxxI Defied Italian Royalty to Woo
WeiLknown American Girl
Friends Asked to Luncheon
Surprised by Ceremony.

Surprised by Ceremony.
Elkins, W. Va, Oct 2S.-Miss kath-
crime Elkins was married to Billy
Hit of Washington, who has wooed
her steadily and cheerfully for seven
years, never losing faith even when
the king OF Italy announced that she
was TO marry his cousin, the duke of
the Abruzzi, and become her royal
hlshness and possess the toy kingdom
of Albania for a golf links or any
other purpose that might suit her
fancy.
Billy" Hit has worn a fixed smile
during all these seven years, being
sure that even il the wonderful Miss
Elkips did marry the duke-which she
seemed almost certain to do-she
would be happy. And what Billy
Hit mostly wanted was that she
should be happy. He had the friend.
liest feeling for his royal rival.
Monday morning Miss Elkins and
Billy" Hit called up their favorite
friends and relatives by telephone
and invited them all to be sure and
come for luncheon-very important"
Welded With Dispatch. ......
And when the mystified guests were
all assembled, even the mother of the
bride being among those mystified,
Rev. Frederick II. Barron, pastor of
the Presbyterian church. stood up at
one end OF the music room and per-
formed the ceremony with dispatch.
Il WILL" said ''Billy" Hit, and add
ed in an undertone, "Of course ] will
who Wouldn't" And he looked at
his watch. There were twenty-five
minutes for luncheon. than a dash for
waiting automobiles, a whirl to the
railroad station-and Mr.. and Mrs.
BILLY" Hit stepped into their private
car, the Graceland. and started for
the East"
... Defies Royal Family.
The duke deiied all the royal mem.
hers of his own family and half the
kings in Europe when they frowned
upon his frank ambition to marry
Miss EIkins,. That was a thing that
girl might be proud Of ~. To-.
Misc Elkins permitted herself to
enjoy for a while in fancy position
In the royal family OF Italy. Whether
she ever said yes" to the duke or
not cannot be learned definitely.
Refused to Forget.
The greatest efforts were made to
induce the duke to forget that for
eign girl" All efforts were in vain.
He fought hardest against his ais
teT-in-law,. Duchess dAosta, who
was the most implacable Of all the OPP
ponents OF the alien marriage" He
fought her SO hard that she finally
clicked her teeth and went into the
African jungles to hunt. Then the
duke had to win over the dowager
queen, which he did quickly. Finally
the king himself announced that there
would be no further opposition to the
marriage.
And the duke was very busy in
Rome. ....
Miss Elkins' father died and left
her a thousand and one responsible
tiles in addition to a great money for.
tune. .. u..,
As the time approached when that
seven-year period would end II be.
came more and more obvious TO Miss
Flkins that Billy" had done exactly
what all the inspiration editors ad-
wise young men TO do-made himself
Indispensable"
She could not expect him, however.
TO renew the contract, to undertake
another seven years without reward.
The f1rst seven ended about ten days
ago. So abe made it a life contract.
Bride Was Belle Of Washington.
Seven years ago, Miss Katherine FL.
kins, daughter OF the late United
state Senator Elkins OF West Virginia,
vas the belle Of Washington society.
with scores OF suitors coming as close
70 her as they dared, kept at certain
distance, however. by Billy" Hit
Vho was then apparently master OF
the situation.
Duke Causes Worry.
He could wait gracefully, especially
IN view OF the fact that his rivals did
not appear 10 be making any special
progress. BIT suddenly, and from an
unexpected quarter, arose cause for
worry. The duke Of Abrnzzi came to
Washington. ~.
The duke OF Abruzzi was not al all
the sort OF man that dukes are usu.
silly portrayed TO be in American
musical comedies. He was not a ten.
or in white fannels. He came with
an international reputation for schol.
arship. for rare courage in exploration
work, for industry in degree seldom
known in southern climates. He had
climbed mountains where no human
foot had been before him He was
diplomat and fascinating person
atty. And Billy" Hit did some sober
thinking when he saw Katherine vi.
kins and the duke Of Abruzzi in earn.
est conversation.
II was "Billy's" propose, night and
he varied the form little
Seven years viii ! serve you, duke
or no duke" he said, and then IL will
be for you to say yes or no Consider
me dedicated
katherine Elnns started on the