New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

LONDON. NH AFFAIR was puzzled - and
 w more than mildly excited -
 when the engagement was re- gently announced of the beautiful Loelia Ponsonby, daughter of Sir Frederick, Treasurer to the King, and the dashing Duke of Westminster.
 Women by the score have adorcd the Duke. A couple of society belles have married and divorced him. He is re- ported to have threatened to horsewhIp one, and to have turned another out of his home. All Europe has echoed 10 glamorous rumors concerning his wealth, his extravaganza, his gay par ties and his adventures.
 But the intrepid Miss Ponsonby was not baked by all this. Three weeks after she had met him, at a dinner given by Lord and Lady Castlerosse her parents announced her engagement to marry one of the most spectacular figures in English society,"
 Mayfair is puzzled because it cannot understand why the beautiful young Miss Ponsonby chose, above all her eligible and wealthy young admirers, a man who is 51, and. whose matri- monial history is matter of gossip over the tea cups. On the other hand, Mayfair was excited because it was in teresting to sec just how the resolute young woman would handle and curb the carefree Duke.
 A great sportsman and host, the Duke has been a figure of romance for years. Perhaps he was born out of his time, although he has managed to get a good many thrills. He hunts wild boars, he has sailed over the stormiest seas in his yacht and he has been sought after by innumerable women of society.
 In addition, he owns miles of May fair and it's rival, Belgravia, as well as magnificent estates in Cheshire and Scotland Nevertheless, his adventures have been so costly that he had to part with historic Grosvenor House to pro vide himself with ready cash.
 The Dukes romances began early, for when little moro than a schoolboy, he fell in love with Constance, daugh- ter of Colonel Cornwallis-West, known to her friends as Shelagh. The Dukes relatives opposed the marriage because it had not been forgotten that Shelagh's mother, Mrs. Cornwallis- West, had received, according to rumors, much attention from King Edward.
 But the Duke, in those days young Lord Belgrave, was madly in love with Shelagh. He was sent 10 Africa to forget her. There he deliberately be- came errtangled in what threatened to be society sensation. His parents re- tented and withdrew their opposition to his engagement to marry Shelagh,
 About the time he married her, in 1901, he came into his great inherl- tance. Shelagh, a very beautiful girl, hlgh-spirited and proud, had received unbounded admiration before she met the Duke. But after her marriage she : found herself thrust into the back ground, while other women, as she later charged, enjoyed the freedom of the Dukes castles. She, who had had Mayfair at her feet, found such stua- ton almost intolerable. But for the sake of her children she remained pas svc for number of years
 Meanwhile, the Duke, who had a passion for gaicty was rarely at homo. His name was coupled one week with that of one woman and the next with that of another. His friendship for fascinating Gaety Theatre star caused more whispers. When he en- tertained his friends Shelagh was not always the hostess.
 Indeed, it was only when he gave the dazzling and brilliant entertainments expected of a Duke that he was seen publicly at her side. And this did not satisfy Shelagh, who desired less to be the hostess of lords and ladies than to have a peaceful and happy home Gloriously gowned, crowned with jewels, upon which experts have written volumes, mistress of some of the state Hest homes in Engad, Shelagh was nevertheless, a very unhappy woman.
 The one tie that bound the duke to her, however, was their little son, A beautiful child, that had inherited the handsome features of both parents. he looked veritable little prince. He was the heir and from the day of his birth the duke began to plan for him brilliant and spectacular future There was nothing, he always said tha. was splendid and magnificent tha.