MAIL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 847, 23 March 1903, Page 2

MAIL NEWS.

SCANDALS IN HIGH LIFE,

Loudon, Feb. 14, Tho craze for bridge whist—which shows sign of abating—has produoed a heavy erop of scandals. The sensational facts in two recont cases the ultra “ smart ” sot is trying desperately hard to oonceal. The scene of one was the Duke of Devonshire’s magnifioeut couutry seat in Derbyshire-Chatsworth. Tho time was Christmas, during the grand party the Duke and Duchess gave at tho time. An invitation to Chatsworth, it may be noted here, is harder to get than an invitation to Sandringham, tho favorite country Beat of the King himself. The culprits m tho particular game of bridge in question were a peeross who isespecially well connected aud a man who, it need soarcoly be said, moves in the most select circles of British aristocracy. It has leaked out that tho peeress signalled to her confederate according to a carefully concerted code by toying with her oarrings and fingering her peart necklaco.

The Duohess of Devonshiro is as keen as a razor iu games of chanco. Hor suspicions were aroused and a watch was set, by throe of the party. They beoame satisfied that cheating was going on and tho game waß Btopped in such a way that tho peeress and her friend were made aware that they had beon detected, but the secret was kept from the other members of tho house party. Tho main anxiety was to avoid a repetition of the Tranby Croft soandol, but as the cireumstancos are leaking out it is doubtful if this cau be douo.

One immediate consequonoe of the scandal was that the Prince of Walos, who had iutended to join tho Chatsworth party for tho theatricals after Christmas, was warned, and suddenly cancollod his visit lest he might bo drawn, as his father was, into a “ celebrated case.”

The thoatrical party took place shortly after Now Year, as it doeß every year. These entertainments havo been for years among the most brilliant in English society. Tho boat society’s amatoars always appear. Lady Randolph Churohill among them. The party this year was particularly * brilliant. The guests were tho same, with few if any exceptions, us thoso who at. tended tho Christmas house party.

The other bridge scandal roterred to above is still more recent. The game waa iu White’s Club on St. James’s street, one of the most exclusive .clubs in London, The offender iu this case waa a man who is principally known as being the husband of his wife, who is a particularly conspicuous figure in English society, while ho has lived a good deal abroad. There was a scene when he was detected. Afterward a special committee of inquiry investigated all the circumstances aud he wa3 given the option of resigning from the club or being expelled. He resigned. A regular movement against bridge has begun in society, the game is causing such, demoralisation. But the most ardent

bridge players are society’s rulers, so it i® not likely that much can bo done. It is an open secret in court circles now that the report that the King was too ill to be one of a house party at Chatsworth) in the fore part of this month was a puro myth. Tho-real reason ho suddenly cancollod bis engagement was because he had a serious disagreement at luncheon with the

Queen. The King had been annoyed because Mrs George Keppel was not to bo among the guests, although his wish that she should be there had been communicated to the Dune of Devonshire.

Queen Alexandra, who only that morning had seen the full list of guests in the newspapers, strongly objected to tho presence of a certain young unmarried lady who is very prominent in the Devonshire house set and the central figure at ita entertainments. The Queen said emphatically that she would not go to the party because the aforesaid youug woman was to be there.

A heated argument ensued, aud then the King cancelled the engagement on the spur of tho moment.

Sir Francis Laking was summoned, but firmly declined to issue a bulletin iu order to disarm suspicion, having a lively recollection of the severe criticism ho. had to ondure for agreeing to such a thiDg when the King had appendicitis. This accounts for the strange fact that no bulletin was issued until the next morning, when contrary to all precedent, it was signed by the King’s private secretary, Knollys, instead of by a physician. Indeed, Laking was not responsible for any of the statement® made.

The King looks remarkably well and shows no trace of the dobilitating consequences of the influenza. The Duchess of Devonshire, the acknowledged leader of London society, always entertains brilliantly as well as lavishly. The house party at which King Edward was expected was intended to cap the climax of the Duchess’s magnificent entertainments.

The lavish Duke spared no expense to make the King’s party a dazzling success, and £25,000 at least is said to have been spent in preparing for it.