Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-07

LONDON. March 6.-The Duke OF
Manchester says he was not served
with a writ and does not know any
thing about the reported suit for
breach of promise.
Miss Portia Knight is an American.
% or "a years of age. She was on the
stage in New York for a short time
and has been living privately in Lon
don for a year. She referred a repre-
sentative Of the Associated Press to
her lawyers. The writ has beer out
for some time, she said. and she did
not know whether ii would be served
in America or England. Miss knight
was glad to hear that it had been
served in Liverpool.
Il regret that this affair has be-
come public" she said, Il thought il
would all be done jn camera | do
hope it will 0 be taken up by the
American papers. l have brought the
suit not because q desired publicity
but because I felt in duty bound to
all my friends here in England. For
their sake as well as my own / have
every wish that the proceedings should
be as private as possible. i only met
the Duke of Manchester since | came
to England a year ago. but really |
must refer you to my solicitors
When Miss Knights solicitors were
called upon they declined to give any
details or to do more than TO confirm
the report that Miss Knight had COM
menced action.
The Manchester sensation promises
to rival the Westminster scandal.
Although the Duke OF Manchester as
serts hat the writ has not been served
upon him in the suit for alleged breech
OF promise, this is quite immaterial, as
the writ has been issued and proceed
ings have commenced.
THIS entirely unexpected sequel to ono
of the most interesting marriages between
American heiresses and representatives
~ Wv 80 AaAt ~
shortly after the Duke OF Manchester 50
suddenly made Miss Zimmerman a Ouch
ess. Miss knights allegations are not yet
obtainable. but IL is evident that she is In
earnest and the suit was brought without
any idea of gaining publicity. She 10
about the same age az the Duke Of Man
chester. possibly a trine older. Their ac-
quaintance began, a representative Of the
| AGgnafata1 brass Ia 4 VI farff4d Uhap Mia
Knight was living in stirmin's Mansions
In London. where the Dlke frequently
visited. The employees OF the Mansions
say the acquaintance ripened to a stage
where they quarreled frequently and that
the visits continued untll only about six
months ago. when the Duke no longer
called there. and Miss Knight took a fiat
elsewhere. She Is now living In London
amid friends OF position and means.
Unlike the Duchess. Miss Knight Is a
pronounced brunette. with an olive COM
plexion.
No one met the Duke and Duchess Of
Manchester on their arrival at Euston
Station, London. The Duchess looked ex-
tremely well and very pretty. The Duke
seemed rather worried. When asked by
a representative OF the Associated Press
II 1t were true that he had been served
with a writ. he replied:
1T is quite untrue. I know nothing
about the suit. I am feeling quite at and
had a fine time IN America
Come along. said the Duchess. and
the couple jumped into a cab and drove
off. They had intended to land At Queens
town and 20 proceed TO their Irish home.
but the storm prevented. and therefore
they decided 10 come TO London. which
| they wilt shortly leave for ireland.