The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-04
Her Famous Necklace Ex-
 cites Cupidity of Robbers
WANTS TO GO TO FRONT
Queen Mary Anxious to See How the Prince of Wales is Faring-Titled Girl Who Is an Accomplished
 Newspaper Woman
Fly LADY MARY


 ably because Mrs. Spender- -Clay-Pauline ter of William Waldorf Astor fights so shy of the press that so little has been written about her unique necklace of black pearls which Is far finer than that of Mrs. Clarence Mackey. Mrs. Spender- Ciays consists of six rows, while Mrs. Mackays has only four. At private theatre party recently Mrs. Spender- Clay was wearing hers with the cerise colored frock she usually dons with thenl-this time Of velvet I noticed that every five minutes she put her hand to her neck to make sure this precious ornament was secure It has seven clasps, one to each TOW. and a special one that takes in the six. It is iusuled for s25o,ooo. Some years arranged to come to England to steal these pearls They lay in wait on every occasion when Captain and Mrs. Spender- Clay were about, having previously man. aged to find out the intended movements Of the owner through French maid of Mrs. Clay. They spent small fortune In bribes out one night the maid, being taken suddenly III after eating oysters, got qualms Of conscience and sent for her mistress to whom she confided the story of her rerfidy. Mrs. Spender-Clay was made frigh,fIliy nervous over the affair and forthwith sent the necklace to her bank and would not much s look at it for years. At last she seems to be getting over the shock occa stoned by the discovery and she of late, frequently wears the beautiful ornament. It is al- ways her fathers idea to get hold of something cutie unique, he possessing no interest whatever in any article however beautiful or costly which can be dupll- cated. He spent years, during his daugh- tefs childhood. searching for these pearls the connoisseur he deputed to help in the selections being given carte blanche to pay what he pleased for exactly what was rqulrec.
 Queen Wishes to Visit France
 I have just heard that the Queen ,e very anxious to go to France for more reasons than one. For one thing she is also longing to get a glimpse of the Prince of Wales, who is her favorite son. There are times, lady about the court tells me, when the Queen, materialistic and full of sound common sense though she be, feels that she will go mad if she does not sec her son. When these attacks seize her King George always rings up Lord Kitchener who is the one person of whom her majesty Is In little awe. You must not do this. madam. or you must do that he will tell her as coolly if she was the merest nobody. And then he will add more graclously, Have no anxiety, his royal highness is perfectly well.' Since he has been abroad the prince has become taller, broader and stouter. More bronzed, too. he has acquired look of ruddy health. for the life suits him down to the ground. It appears he is one of the best motorists that ever took the wheel of a car. If l.z .ts, l,r Ie In ha flying corps, 1t being the height of his ambition to fly.
 If the Queen is permitted to go abroad the King will accompany her. for, as a matter of fact, he is very anxious to get to the front again.
 Titled Newspaper Woman
 Lady Meriel Bathurst, whose engage ment Is just announced to Lord A1astair Graham, youngest son of the fifth Duke of Montrose, though one of the greatest heiresses in Great Britain, has been initiated by her mother, Lady Bathurst, owner and practically editor of the Morn ing Post, into all the mysteries of a great newspaper office. She can correct proofs. makeup copy" she understands all about setting type and has perfect genius for putting machinery straight. She can edit and sub-edit and for awhile was her mothers private secretary--a capital one, knowing both shorthand and typewriting. Possessing the accurate brain which is not generally the artistic one, Lady Meriel thoroughly enjoyed the routine of office work. Some day the great paper will be hers to arrange it's destiny as she sees fit, and it was be- cause of this that her mother decided she should understand everything that was necessary in connection with the workings of a journal of the kind. Pur- posely, Lady Bathurst sent her to school which is popular with rich Americans These girls introduced her to their sew eral brothers and a year ago 1t was said she was very much taken with a cer- tain young American youth who proposes to fight In the war and Is now in train- ing.
 Interested in Belgian Lace
 Everything Belgian is naturally received here with enthusiasm, and all society Is interested in the Belgian lace industry winch has been established at 47 Upper Brook street. The makers are at work there every day from 3 to for exhbi- ton, but of course they work other times. Monday afternoon this week I met the Duchess of Marlborough coming out of the house with a big roll of the lovely Malines variety under her arm, she evidently having snapped 1t up with out waiting to have it wrapped in paper. Maiines lace is to be In great vogue this season. It Is a most delicate and dainty composition totally different from Bruges, which, however. is also displayed but in very much more refined quality than we used to know here. Our muchly-prixed