The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-25
AiZSa Mellon Bruce VIII Be Arbiter
for Father i'm London Social Affairs
BY JULIA BLANSHARD
NEA Service Writer

NkA service Nflter
XXTAsHINGTON, April as
w American debs and social
leaders who want to be presented
at the Court of st. James this
year must pass muster with 29~
year old girl.
For in the opinion of Washing
ton, when Ambassador Andy"
Mellon announced that his
daughter. Mrs. David K. Este
Bruce, would be his official hostess
at the American embassy in Lon
don, it meant that he would call
on her to help with all his most
ticklish diplomatic social problems.
None looms larger than select
ing twenty or so Americans TO be
presented to King George and
Queen Mary at the four courts
held annually by the royal family.
Usually more than 1000 aspiring
Americans apply. Great pressure
from many quarters is brought to
bear on the American ambassador
who makes the selection. Former
Ambassador Dawes declared
settling this list was his hardest
problem while in London
A LISA MELLON BRUCE, ac-
"A cording to Washington, is
we'll fitted to cope with any such
dilemma. Born both cookbook
ing and wealthy, educated abroad
and here, when she was only
deb Of 18 she began presiding
over her millionaire fathers
home in this city and entertained
the elect of many countries.
She knows all about whom to
seat where and who should pre-
cede whom to dinner, and which
sets of diplomats to invite at the
same time, and so forth.
She is a striking blond, perfect
1y poised, gracious, natural and
individual. She speaks several
languages f1uently, is skilled
musician, a frst-rate horsewom-
an, and held the reputation of be-
ing the best dressed girl in the
capitals younger set"
When she became Washington's
youngest official hostess, in 1921,
she often was referred to as the
cabinet princess" With all the
poise of one born to the purple,
young Ailsa Mellon filled such So
cial positions as carnival queen of
Washingtons Mardi Gras.
In 1926, Americas richest girl"
as she was called, fell in love and
married blue blooded southern
er, David K. Este Bruce, son of
former Senator William Cabell
Bruce of Baltimore, Md. Bruce,
a 28-year-old lawyer diplomat,
was appointed consul to
Rome.
y r
ON account of the glamour
~ thrown about the rich life of
this young girl, her motors, her
yachts, regal furs, glittering jewels,
opera boxes, lavish entertain
ments. this cabinet marriage Gre
ated the greatest stir in official
Washington of any marriage since
Alice Roosevelt married Nicholas
Lingworth. Gold coffee services.
jeweled gifts and other costly
presents were legion.
There was much talk about Ailsa
Mellon, who had been mistress of
the mansion which her millionaire
father rented for somewhere
around $4,000 a year being sure
she could Tive happily ever after"
on her new husbands $4,000 SAL
airy. But they spent only a few
months in Rome, where Ailsa
must have realized how different
it was to be only the wife of
vice consul.
On account of his wifes ILL
health, Bruce resigned. Since then
they have been back in America.
where Also again became her
fathers official hostess, ruling her
circle as before.
She and her husband have a
rambling villa on the French
Riviera, where they spend some
time. They have divided the rest
between the capital and the vari-
Gus other Mellon homes in Florida,
Virginia, and New York.
Though the American embassy
never has had as young an official
hostess, certain it is also, that it
never has had one better able to
preside over it with grace and
efficiency. 1t is a foregone con-
clusion here that London Official
dom will be pleased with her.