The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-06-06

aShlngtOn, New YORK, Milan
tains of western North CarOlil
The private questions are being
asked regarding the divorce suit
filed by Nine. Guy Baer, wife OF
prominent artist, in which Mrs
Cecil is named as correspondent.
VANDERBILT HEIRESS
The public questions are being
asked because in every one Of
those placeS-as in scores of
others-Mrs. Cecil is known as
the former Cornelia Vanderbilt,
heireSS to George Vanderbilt's
$50, 1000, 900, owner Of Biltmore.
the $1,000 900 country estate near
Asheville, N. c., heroine of one Of
Americas most famous romances,
for love of whom a first secretary
of the British embassy gave up his
career, became an American citi-
zen, turned rich mans agricul-
tural hobby into a paying bust
ness, and won the love of noun.
taineer population Of $50 Of his
brides employees.
Among the public questions be-
ing asked is why did Mrs. Cecil,
who four years ago divorced her
husband in Paris, recently have
her name legally changed, in Eng
land, to Baer?" And, why did
MRS. Cecil-Baer appear yesterday
at Vevey in company with the man
whoe wife names her a correspond
ent in the divorce?"
SECRECY AND MYSTERY
OF the private questions we
may never learn, since secrecy has
surrounded the whole mystery OF
the Baer romance with the former
American coed from North Caro-
lima University, and the artist Of
the many BohemiaS of Europe.
But the memory of many Wash
ingtonians, including Mrs. Peter
Goelet Gerry, wife of the Senator
from Rhode Island, who is the
former Edith Stuyvesant Dresser,
widow of George w. Vanderbilt,
and the mother of Mrs. Cecil, runs
back to happier days.
George w. Vanderbilt was pas
sionately American. He had seen
the brutal sale of ConSuelo Wander
bilt to the Duke Of Marlborough
he had witnessed the trade in
titles first hand-and it had sick
ened him. No child of his would
be allowed to suffer such a fate!
CORNELIA KEPT UNSPOILED
So little Cornelia was tutored by
private teachers, under the watch
full eye of her parents, as she
Scampered through the 100-toot
long rooms with their 75-foot cell
ings, and tumbled, when she fell,
on oriental rugs As by 80 feet.
She was rigidly trained, and kept
unSpoiled. At the University OF
North Carolina, where she was a
coed without special privileges,
she was popular for the simplicity
of her tastes and for the charm Of
her natural personality.
After her graduation Cornelia
came to Washington. And here
and in New York-She met dash
ing young man with a correct
noustache and manner, brilliant
future, some means, and a heart
that beat Unfortunately at the sight
of her.
He was John Francis Amherst
Cecil, fourth son of the late
Baroness Amherst of Hackney and
Lord George Cecil, grandson Of
the late Marques of EsceleS, third
in line to inherit the title once
born by that Lord Godfrey Am
herst who was commander-in-chie
of the British Army in the Ameri-
can colonies from 1857 to 1854,
who was governor of Virginia from
1859 to 1853, and for whom Am
herst college is named.
COUNTED AGAINST HIM
All of which counted materially
against him in his suit for Cor
nelia's hand. And with British
thoroughnesS, he gave them all
up-job as first secretary of the
British embaSsy-career as diplo-
mat-everything he could give up
except his right of succession to
the title, which he couldn't give
UP because that's the law!
But he gave up his British citi-
Eenship and became an American
and with all the pomp and cere-
mony that many millions and the
liturgy of the Episcopal Church
can muster, Cornelia Vanderbilt
became his bride in 1924.
To Biltmore they went. Every
body said he would tire of the
country. That he couldn't stand
the isolation. That he would
long for London, and would pre-
fer the knee breeches Of the court
to the riding breecheS of the
estate.
POPULAR AND EFFICIENT
But he pitched in and made
the dairy pay, where it had al
ways lost money before. He made
the meadows yield, where they
had not done so before. He rode
to hounds, of couSe, but most Of
his time and talents went to
making the estate Self-supporting.
The employees at first distrusted
his ability, his manner-and most
especially his accent. A noun
taineer eyes Scotch and soda ask
ance. So plain John Cecil took a
Swig of mountain dew-and liked
it. From that moment the noun
taineers were his friends.