Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-03
How the Heart of Patricia
Burke, the California
Beauty, Nearly Lost
Many Times, Has at Last
Been Given to the Earl
Of COttenhan, Whose
First Wife's Death
Was One OF
English Nobility's Most
Mysterious
Tragedies

IN ElSS PATRICIA BURKE. the inter
M nat national beauty Of Los Angeles ls..
Cal, has AT last made her diff
cult choice between a plain American
and titled European for husband On
August 16 she was married 10 the Earl of
Cottenham and became British peerless.
From the first budding to the full flow
ering OF her beauty Patricia Burke partic-
ularly distinguished herself as heroine
OF love romances. Her beauty and her
wealth as heiress 10 the fortune Of the
late John Humphrey Burke. the Califor-
nit millionaire attracted suitors from far
and near. She was tempted by titles and
high social position abroad, yet was urged
by her heart and finer sentiments to lis
ten TO avowals OF honest unselish love
from men of her own country and unprc-
tentiouS station in life
These two widely differing apDeals 10
her heart and mind for quite long time
seemed about equally balanced The re.
suit was a variety of romances sc!uom
observed in the case OF AN American
heircss. At one time her temporary pref
erence would seem to show the worldly
ambitious side OF her character upper
most. and the most favored OF American
applicants would go into eclipse; again,
as though perceiNins that all is not gold
that Cutters in II coronet, her smiles
would rest once more upon the home
product.
When her reported engagement to
Prince Ludovico Pgnatci!i d'Aragon OF
Spain, WAS in due time reported broken
off, and she returned from abroad, sne
made remark which went Ions way
toward clearing up the mystery of her
calculating preferences She said:
From what have seen OF titled II n
] prefer good American
That was. RI! very well from Miss
Rnrke's standpoint, but what chance had
the good American" with whole field
or titled competitors standing guard at
the front gate ana never wholly dis
couraged? The average good American,
in matters OF rourtship AZ least. retains
some instincts OF delcacy and Difference
TIe cheerad up a bit on another occa-
sion. however. This WAS when the lovely
Patricia became somewhat weary OF the
Spanish royal obstacles thrown in the
way OF Prince Ferdinand de ROurbon's
biti0ns--this Prince. also bearing the
title OF Duke, being cousin OF King
Alfonso. She said-and her words found
their way over the ocean cables and most
of the telegraph lines:
AZ don't think father is rich enough 10
purchase a royal Duke"
Unfortunately the reprieyc didn't last
ong enough for any American aspirant to
make much Roadway in the affections Of
Miss Patricia The bearers OF titles and
wearers OF coronels were too numerous
too needy and too persistent 10 lie
quite just, the position OF one OF these
entitled him TO serious consideration
such times when Miss Patricia's patriot
ism matrimonial was in the descending
balance. This sutton was the Earl of Cot
tenham whom she has recently married
with becoming ceremony in ST. Georges
Church. Hanover Square, London
1t seems probable that bul for her win
ming OF Il Los Angeles prize beauty con
test, the advertising value of which can
hardly be computed, Patricia Burke would
at this moment be the wife Of some hon
est, stalwart Californian For this type
OF good American was numerous among
her faithful followers.
But the beauty prize introduced her to
New York society ana, therefore 10 fine
notice of hunters Of rich wives with titles
10 exchange for The same Among these
at that time Prince Pignatcli glittcrcd
resplendent The Prince put forth his
best efforts TO capture her They we're
frequently seen together, ana there was
NO denial OF the engagement that was
presently reported Nobody has ever
known exactly why the affair didn't come
off: however, nobody seemed 10 care
{ Naturally this episode emphasized the
point that the California heress vas emi.