Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-26


seems to be dull and colorless future
looming for the princess. With all the
good intentions in the world, Anton can
not do very much for her.
Queen Marie once declared. Il shall
not marry Ileana even TO a King I'M
less she loves him" and if she has been
loyal to this determination all may be
we'll. Patiently, the political values OF
the present match are inconSequentlal;
the explanation may be that. most signs
to the contrary, Ileana is marrying for
love.
Attracted Young Officer.
She has certainly the power to inspire
devoted passion. At one time it seemed
that she might give her heart to a
young American Army officer, Second
Lieut.. William J. Glasgow, jr. Assigned
as aide to Queen Marie on the occasion
of her visit to West Point, Glasgow
found the princess "a most charming
girl and it is commonly supposed that
the friendship established at that time
has continued There are those VINO
believe that an American soldier would
have been just as worthy a sutton as an
Austrian archduke. Glasgow comes of
a famous military family: his father is
Brig. Gen. Glasgow; the lieutenant was
educated abroad, has the entree to the
best social circles on both sides of the
q
fine type of American gentleman.
And there was another soldier who
worshiped Ileana from afar. One night
il 1918 there came into the city room
of an important New York newspaper
a young woman dressed in deep mourn
ing. She explained that when her
brother was killed in France his buddies
had found in his pocketbook the por-
trait of beautiful girl inscribed: My
Dear Little Sweetheart" The portrait
was not an original photograph; it was
just clipping from paper. The
young woman said: Perhaps you can
tell me who she is. I would like so
much to know" She took the picture
from her purse, and it was handed
round the city desk. Only a glance
was required; everybody recognized
Ileana That poor, nameless Yankee
doughboy. lacking a sweetheart at
home, had gone out to his death in the
tortured fields of France with the
thought of the lovely little princess at
Bucharest in his mind to spur him on.
Even as mere baby she was ire
Sistibly charming. Every one loved her.
In 1917, when she was only years old,
she was guest at Buckingham Palace.
Admiral Sims found her there-a tiny,
blue-eyed, bobbed-haired Brownie of a
creature. Wont you give me a kiss?'
he asked. why. yes said Ileana. IF
you want it." The Prince of Wales,
overheering. inquired. NAV I have one
oo?" The princess wound her diminutive
features into grin and answered: OF
To rather like to myself" King George
is supposed to have encouraged his
sons interest at that period.
Likes Water Sports.
For while Ileana, her sister Marie
and her brother Nicholas were at school
in England. In the neighborhood of
Eton and Ascot they were familiar fig
ures. They loved the English country
side and never tired of riding and
hiking over it. Ileana was also fond of
all water sports and games, and today
she has her own yacht on the Black
Sea and holds certificate for deep-sea
navigation. Before she was IL years
old she had built herself raft at Copa-
cena, Maries own estate in the Ru-
manian forest. Perhaps she inherits
her affection for the water from her
grandfather, 1.-The sailor prince She
has had at least one narrow escape
from drowning.
But games have not occupied the
princess to the exclusion of more
serious interests She has a fine. active,
eager, creative type of mind, and Queen
Marie gave her every proper educational
opportunity. She writes well, is tall
ented amateur IN drawing, painting,
her mothers keen interest in all phil
anthropic enterprises. King George
once asked her, And what did you do
at JaSsy?" Ileana answered instantly:
Just what mother did. Carried Their
mos bottles of tea to the soldiers and
things like that" The Queens great
sympathy for the poor has always found
mirror in the princess heart. Their
charities have had scant publicity, but
they are both numerous and inclusive.
Ileana is chief of the Rumanian Camp
fire Girls and Girl Scouts and is active
in many other organizations of SIM
liar character. She has known per-
sonally what suffering means. During
the war all the members of the royal
family were on rations like the rest of
the population. The experience has not
been forgotten.
Being a princess has been for Ileana
business far more arduous than might
be supposed Court routine is exacting.
The Queen for many years worked II
hours day and Ieana was her faith
full assistant The bond between
mother and daughter has been pecu-
liarly close. Mabel Potter Daggett has
said, 1T seems to me that neana, of
all her (Marie's) children. is the one
she loves best" and the Queen herself
has declared: "Ileana is the child of
my soul. I can just lay my hand on
hers and know all that she is think
ing"
Today page in their history is turn
ing, a chapter is ended, a new one be-
gins. There will be many whose SYM
pathy will go out to the Queen as she
parts with the last of her daughters.
And there will be many who. remem-
bering Ileana as a child-the beau ideal
Of story book princess come to life
will join to wish her every happiness