The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-24

Bansdowne House, borrowed for the
 evening by the honorable committee.
 Of fifty thousand eligibles only a thou
 sand could besingited. This thousand,
 however, could be counted upon to see
 that the fund is we'll supported for an-
 other six months at least.
 Outside, in the grounds, there are
 thousands of the populace. Being a
 part of his program for taking over for
 the night, arranged months before, the princes visit was announced that morn inging in the Court Circular. So Harry from Whitechapel and Maisie from Golders' Green and Mir. and Mrs. 'Ammersmith from Brixton have come by bus to Lansdowne grounds to stand in densely packed mass, under the trees, to catch a glimpse of "P. w" when he gets out of his car.
 When the car draws up the prince looks steadily through the windows on the house side. The precedence must be observed; the crowd must not be noticed first.
 Silk Hat Is Straightened
 His silk hat is straight on his head, now. On the steps is 2 group of lords and ladies and very rich merchants from the city. Edwards eyes sweep them quickly, and a little nervously he is shy.
 Harry from Whitechapel shouts Hello, Ed, old chapI'
 Maisie from Golders' Green shrieks Look at me, boyp'
 Mrs. 'Ammersmith says to Mir. Am mersmith Fancy, now, he's all grown up like that l''
 The prince, having bowed stiffly to the lords and ladies, turns quickly. His solemnity disappears. He waves his hand to the crowds and smiles.
 Maisie whispers to Harry My Lud, 'Arry, ain't he grand"
 Harry says to Maisie: Shut cher face, silly; if he hears yer 'e'll have bloomin' pyner'
 But it is a dignified, sedate chap. fully aware of his own place, who goes | up the steps. His eyes are steady and | a bit cold as he scans the thousand guests forming half circle in the ball. | room so he may greet them all at once. The honorable chairman expresses few words of thanks for the presence of the prince, presents to him the honorable hostess, and gives the signal for the music to resume.
 It all, is very stiff. Edward re- mains the prince. The name of the most important dowager has been given him. He. dutifully requests that she dance with him. His partners all have been chosen for him, strictly in order of rank; but among them are quite a few blushing, giggling daughters of the rich men from the city,
 Miss DOwsley Knows It 2
 Who's next on the listT' the prince whispers to his attendant. H Miss Ethelbird Dowsley; her fathers in pickles, you know. Com nittee thinks he'll give ten thousand to the fund and they need the money horribly for a new hospital at Dork- Hg."
 Miss Dowsley knows she is next. She's known it for three months, any way. She is waiting just under the srand stairway, her legs trembling and Ter heart humping and her mother and ather thanking their stars they'd lived o see this day!
 Very casually, it seems, His Royal dighness happens to be in the neigh 'orhood of the grand stairway when the music starts up again. He turns to ] Hiss Dowsley. There is no presenta- :, ion, of course, but he says: "Will you E onor me, Miss Dowsley?" Ethelbird courtesys nicely. She has 5 cen practicing that courtsey for weeks E he is swung into the dance. His E iighness is. really quite interested in Hiss Ethelbird who, it turns out, ances well, is quite pretty, and, as oon as she forgets her legs, intelligent E iefore the dance is finished she has E 1ld Edward about her sisters and s rothers, where the boys go to school, CT favorite musical comedy and has rgued with him over the merits of the eason's favorite comedians. Ethel E ird's father sends his check for twen- E ? thousand instead of ten, for the E lind. A few days later Ethelbird her E If receives a note from St. James E alace, with the three-feathered crest n the envelope, signed Edward, P, nd telling her how pleased the writer E as at having the opportunity of chat E ng with her. E And, as a matter of fact, His Royal E Iighness may remark to his attendant, E uring a lull: That Miss Dowsley- le pickles girl, you know-regular fel- w. If we ever run into her at some E ancing please remind me-" E
 And At ii o'clock E Sharply at 10 o'clock there is final E eremony in the foyer-a formal leave lking. On the grounds the crowds E re waiting. The prince stands for q E mute ut the top of the steps so the E aiters may have a good look at him. 5