The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-07
BREACH OF
PROMISE
ACTION
Mary {. Mcdonald Wants $780,
600 Of Patrick Nernan's Pro-
pertto SOothe Her Feelings

The highly sensational case OF Mary e.
known residents OF Fall River. came up
in the Superior court in that city yes
terday.
The case Is one OF alleged breach Of
promise In which Miss Mcdonald asks for
$50, 900 Of the wealth OF Mr.. Kiernan The
general opinion was that tho case would
never come to trial, as neither party had
anything to gain by the proceedings. and
IL is the first of the kind In high So
ciety circles OF Fall River IN yeara
Miss Mcdonald IL a petite blonde and .
great favorite In society circles. being
the daughter OF a wealthy real estate
holder. She is well known In several
cities In the country.
Mr.. Herman. the defendant. Is a tall.
broad ~shoufdered, handsome bachelor, the
the manager OF the Fall River system Of
water works and possessed OF ample
means. He Is a prominent member of
the Fall River Driving club. the Que
quechan and Columbian clubs. maintains
a beautiful country residencs at Ports
occupies swell apartments in the South
End when In town.
That he retained any sentimental feel
ings for the fair sex. however. even his
most intimate friends never suspected.
TWO PROPOSALS MADE.
The court room was crowded to the
doors. Hon. II. NJ. Knowlton appeared
for Miss Mcdonald. and Hon. A. J. Jen-
A. ..aA Iax T- .t.I
Mr.. Herman.
Mr.. Knowlton went back IL years. He
touched upon boyhood and girihood and
an acquaintance which had rfpened into
love. He believed that II was love and
real love" on both sides. otherwise
known as mutual love" and reciprocal
affection"
According to Mr.. Knowlton the love
was not intense enough TO invade the DO
main at reason. as II often does, and n
disparity I'm ages led the defendant to
make two proposals. one OF marriage
and one OF temporary truce. which would
enable the plaintiff to gain in experience.
That is. II was agreed that the latter was
to have an opportunity to study the world
and the men in IL before arriving at de-
cision.
Some IL years ago. according to MIR.
Knowlton the plaintiff concluded that
her intentions and those OF Mr.. Herman
snOuld De mace KNOWN, ana an appoint
ment was made which Mr.. Kiernan dii
not keep. II had been arranged that he
was 20 ask for tho hand of Miss Nc
Donald. Instead he purchased a ring for
the hand and vino was poured. Delays
followed delays. but Mr. Kiernan was de-
votion itself. He bought costly gifts ana
added TO his real estate, but he did not
lead the plaintiff TO a priest. In fs96 Miss
Mcdonald attended Radcliffe college and
Mr.. Kiernan paid the bills, so Mr.. Knowi-
ton said.
BEGININo OF THE END.
Last March a dashing widow appeared
on the scene and at once a marked change
came over Mr.. KIernap and the dreams
OF Miss Mcdonald were no longer pleas
ant.
Mr.. Kiernan's affections grew cold and
he appeared no longer 10 take solid COM
fort I'm Miss McDonal6s society, and IL
appeared that he did not intend 10 keep
his promise.
Miss Mcdonald took the witness stand
and rehearsed at length the story OF her
relations with the defendant She had an
nounced her engagement and had cele
brated its anniversary for years. Miss
Mcdonald told Of correspondence which
made II clear that Mr.. Herman was her
accepted lover. and stated that she had
urged him 10 keep his promise to her.
His replies OF late were unsa tisfactory,
although he had been upsually kind ana
had extended considerable sums I'm en-
tertaining her and providing for her wei
fare.
The case was continued today.