THE VANDERBILT WEEDING.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 936, 1 February 1908, Page 6

THE VANDERBILT WEEDING.

Miss Vandcrbiß-, who was recently .married to a Hungarian count, came I •of age in August last, when she re- i ceived her share, amounting to £2,500,000 of the paternal fortune. Ever since her debut three years ago at a magnificent ball given by her mother ai tho family residence in Fifth avenue, she has been regarded as the best "catch"' of the younger circles of New York society. Every true American hoped that she would wed one of her own compatriots. This hope was evidenced by the frequency with which the name of the heiress was linked with that of Mr Robert Walton Godot, well known in Newport, and the owner of £1,000,000. Miss Vanderbilt, however, persistently refused either to deny this or any other of the numerous' matrimonial rumors concerning herself. Her silence, earned her tho sobriquet of the "Americau Sphinx." Now the riddle is solved (wrote the New York -correspondent of the Daily Mail lately); and editors are ventilating their patriotic disappointment in characteristic headlines proclaiming, "Gladys, after all, is to wed a title." But the title, according to the assurances mado by Mrs Vanderbilt, has nothing to do with the match, which is purely one of love. Count Laszio Szechcnyi, the bridc-.groom,-^s a Hungarian, and was born iv 1879. He is the youngest son of the late Count linre Szechcnyi. Aus-tro-Hungarian Ambassador to Berlin, who died in 1898. Count Laszio served in the Hussars as a volunteer, and was very popular in society circles, where he was generally known by his pet name, Lalla. The handsome and dashing Reserve officer is now in the Diplomatic Service, being Secretarjto the Paris Embassy. He is very rich and au aristocrat, but has not figured in public life. He is a splendid horseman, riding in the true Hungarian manner. The count is a sportsman and musician, and these qualities won the heart of Miss Vanderbilt, who studied singing in Paris under M. can De Reszko with excellent results, and who is, moreover, an expert motorist and horsewoman. It is said that tlie couplo first met at a reception given by the American Ambassador, Mr Whitelaw Reid, in London, and that recently Miss Vanderbilt and her mother visited the count's Hungarian estates. Miss Vanderbilt is the daughter of the late Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt, head of the family which is identified with many of tho chief railway and insurance enterprises in the United States. When he died in 1899 his fortune was estimated at from £16,---000,000 to £24,000,000. Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt, jun., the eldest son, married against the father's wish, and was cut off with £300,000. Alfred, the second son, is the head of the junior branch of the family, and owner of nearly one-half of his father's estate. He gave £1,200,000 to Cornelius not long after his father's death, tho Matter's quarrel with his eldest son not impairing the brothers' affection. Miss Vanderbilt is a fair young woman, with a girlish figure and good carriage. The present Duchess of Marlborough is the daughter of Mr W. K. Vanderbilt, uncle of Miss Gladys.