SAY ASTOR WEDDING IS NEAR AT HAND

Friends Confidently Expect the Ceremony to Take Place Within a Few Days
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HIS YACHT IN READINESS
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Miss Force, the Bride-elect, Apparently Doing Her Final Shopping---Ceremony Probably in Connecticut
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There was an impression last night among the friends of Col. John Jacob Astor that his marriage to Miss Madeleine T. Force would not be delayed more than a few days. The Astor yacht Noma was hurriedly coaled and provisioned, and there arrived at the Force home sundry big boxes containing purchases made by Miss Force during the day. Col. Astor himself declined to say even that the marriage would not take place to-day.
It was reported yesterday that a clergyman had been found who was willing to perform the ceremony, and that it would probably take place in Connecticut, but no record of the issue of a license for the wedding could be traced in that State.

Col. Astor was in and out of the Force home during the day and evening. Shortly after 8 o'clock last night he called and took his fiancée out in a taxicab. They were gone for two hours. On their return Col. Astor stayed about twenty minutes. When he came out he was asked what arrangements had been made for the wedding.
"As yet," he replied, "we have made no definite arrangements in regard to our marriage. In fact, matters stand just as they did yesterday."

Col. Astor went to his town house at 840 Fifth Avenue, where it was said he would spend the night.
The Noma, lying off Eightieth Street, had been coaling during the day and was taking on provisions until late last night. The Captain and both mates went ashore indicating that the yacht would not sail last night. It was learned, however, that the intention was that she should leave this morning. Her prospective destination is kept secret.
Indications that something more than usual was astir were in evidence about the Force home yesterday morning, when Col. Astor called two hours ahead of his usual time. Soon after he left Miss Force made a round of the Fifth Avenue shops, the result of which was apparent last evening when two big hat boxes and five other boxes arrived at her residence from a store where millinery and other things feminine are dispensed.

Before Miss Force had finished her shopping tour Col. Astor was back at her house. He got there about 1 o'clock and found nobody at hime. [sic] After he had waited an hour and a half Mrs. Force came in with her dog. Twenty minutes later Miss Katherine Force entered the house, and after twenty minutes more Miss Madeleine got back from her shopping expedition.

After his long wait Col. Astor greeted, his fiancée enthusiastically. He called a taxicab and started oft with the two young women. Miss Katherine Force was dropped at the Grand Central Subway station and Col. Astor and Miss Madeleine Force went on to the St. Regis, where they had tea. Col. Astor saw Miss Force at her home again in the evening.

William H. Force, father of the bride-to-be, had an encounter with a photographer when he went out for his morning walk yesterday. He started off with the photographer following him, on the alert for a good opening. Mr. Force noticed the photographer's manoeuvres, turned around, and made a gesture indicating that he would not be photographed. The young man continued to advance on him, but stopped when Mr. Force raised his cane and rushed at him. The photographer fled, with Mr. Force pursuing, shaking his cane and declaring loudly that he would have him arrested.

The photographer had no trouble in keeping ahead of the irate Mr. Force. Suddenly he turned, halted an instant, got a good snapshot of his man, raised cane and all, and was off.

Mr. Force, disgusted, walked back home. No arrests.