LONDON SCANDAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9251, 28 November 1891, Page 2

LONDON SCANDAL.

SUICIDE OF A GAIETY CHORUS GIRL. ROYALTY MIXED UP WITH - AFFAIR.

TiiE suicide of the so-called "Gaiety chorus gil," Lydia Manton, who poisoned herself with carbolic acid on Thursday night, October Bth, has burse up a very pretty scandal. Suspicion was first aroused Dy the discovery that the inquest had been hurried over semi -privately, in much tho same way as the Duke of Bedford's, and by the toroner'qJPmtly refusing either the depositions or any information concerning the catastrophe to the Press. Mr George Lewis, it transpired, had been present at the inquest, and likewise Lord Charles Montagu, and the latter had road a letter and made a short statement. All the public were informed waa that Lord Charles and Miss Manton had been friends. On Thursday afternoon His Lordship was to liavo lunched with the girl. He broke the appointment, and in a huff she poisoned herself. The Conservative papers swallowed this meagre and preposterous tale with rather wry faces on learning that it would be indiscreet to inquire further. But the titar and Irufh at once started on the warpath. I can tell you a little more than they appear to have discovered. Miss Lydia Manton, or Miller, was a beautiful and (for her class in life) accomplished girl. She played well on the piano, and sang and danced a little. When the Gaiety Compaa3 T went to America Bhe accompanied them, and her great ambition was to attain to a speaking part. Miss Manton kept up a very smart establishment in Cork-street, with a butler, three other servants, and a lady's maid. She drove a smart little pony trap, and made it no secret amongst her friends that she had been careful of her money and put away several thousand pounds. Latterly Mi6S Manton had become specially well-to-do. At Brighton races she wore a dress made by Worth which cost £250, and her jewels grew more and more magnificent weekly. When the body was found the fingers were covered with rings, one large diamond one, worth several hundreds of pounds, being specially conspicous. The poor woman also wore a rope of splendid pearls round her neck. Now, Lord Charles Montagu is the younger brother of the Duke of Manchester, and, comparatively speaking, a poor man. No one behind the scenes at the Gaiety ever dreamt of coupling their two ninncs togetlror. The Gaiety choristers discuss their affairs with one another withj out any false squeamishness Lovo plays but a small pint in thorn. It is the | admirer's rank, wealth, and intentions that are of interest. Miss Manton had for some time past been the queen of her small theatrical set. Most " pros" were aware that a very illustrious young man indeed had fallen victim to her charms, and that the establishment in Cork street was provided for by royalty. Those who did not know the fact Miss Manton Boon acquainted with it. When she left the Gaiety a short time ago it was because " the Prince wished it," she told everybody. During the summer the lady went to Broadstairu, and whilst she was there the Thanet watering place entertained a personage unawares. Tliia mad indiscretion led, as might have been expected, to trouble. The girl herself was too proud of her conquest to keep it a secret. iI.U.H. was recognised by one peraon and another, aud ultimately the personage's papa got wind of the escapade. Now the personago's papu is not btruight-laced, but ho has had troubles of his own, and ho dreads with reason Mr Stead and the Nonconformist conscience. Tho more idea of what would happen if tho knowledge that " that coni'ou doH boy was gallivanting at Broadstairs with a Gaiety 'tart'" were to leak out made him shudder. The intrigue must be at once and finally broken oif. Tho affair was broken off. Lord Charles Montagu acted as go between, and endeavoured to smooth Miss Manton down ; but her vanity at losing such a lover bled, and she <lkln t uiako things easy. Ultimately, however, the girl teemed resigned to the inevitable, and agreed to resume her place in the Gaiety chorus this week. Sho stipulated, however, that H.li.H, should come to a valedictory lunch on Thursday. He assented, but failed to turn up, and Lord Charles bi ought liia exeuoeo. 110 only stayed a few moments, us Miss Manton wua furious. Teljing tnu butler croßely to clear away the uneaten iuncu, the. angry

woman wroto two lettera and then went up to her bedroom. Hero b!io was discovered two hours later stretched on the couch suffer g mortal agonies. In im ' liystorical moment she had swallowed movo than half a pint of carbolic acid. Doctors woro sout for, but could givo Httlo holp. An hour later Lydia Manton died. You will easily understand that when Coroner Troutbeclc heard this sad story ho agreed to assist in keeping certain names out of the evidence at the inquest. Ho would not have embroiled himself with the Press for the sake of an impecunious younger brothor of " Undo Kirn." That one is certain of. But a Personage was a different matter. Let us bo loyal before all. At the inquest Lord Charles Montagu assumed tho responsibility for the establishment in Cork-street, and the coroner read a note — which the jury never saw — but which it was said ran thus: — " Dear Charlie,— l feel very low and depressed at your having left me in the sulks. I think I shall run down and Bee my sister." Mr George Lewis, who is, as a rule, inaccessible to the Press, gave a Star re porter quite a long inie/viov on the subject. Mr Lewis does not usually take upon himself to contradict perfectly baseless rumours either in the Star or any other paper. , But this " absurd story " anent Lord Charles Montagu screening Some Ono Else seemed to pain him strangely. He was at once anxious to convince the Star foKca they had found a mare's nest, and to ascer tain where the story came from. " I oan't toll you our authority quite," said the manager of the Star to me later, " but I can assure you that next to the poor girl, Lord Charles, and the Personage, it is the best possible." Coroner Troutbeck wrote to TJie Times on Tuesday to state that several Pressmen were present at the inquest. The Star admits one or two unattached " liners " may have been there. If they were they must havo been heavily bribel to be silent. The coroner, the Star adds, could easily prove there was nothing to conceal by merely permitting the Press as utual to see t.hn dfinnßitinna.

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