Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-31
TEMPORARY DECREE
In DONALDSON CASE
HALTS PROCEEDINGS
While Attorneys Confer
Both Sides Are Given
Period of Custody of
Child.

temporary decision, pending a con.
ference between the attorneys, was made
this afternoon by Judge Brown, In the
Domestic Relations branch Of the Municl.
pal Court, In the habeas corpus proceed
lngs brought by Mrs. Keith Donaldson
"the million dollar bride" to obtain Gus
tOdy of her 7-year-old daughter, Dorothy.
Judge Brown decided the child should
stay at the home of her grandmother.
Mrs. William Donaldson, in the custody
of Mrs. Jane ID. Rippin, probation officer
or the court, until Saturday. She will
then be given into the custody of Mrs.
Keith Donaldson until next Tuesday, by
which time the court expects the attor-
neys TO have reached a final agreement.
Mrs Keith Donaldson demanded that
the agreement she made with her former
husband when they we're divorced. be
incorporated in the decree OF the court
and that Fannie Blanc, the French nurse.
be dismissed and kept away from the
child A demand was made by ex-
Attorney General Hampton Todd that
each side put up bond not to take the
little girl out of the country.
Attorney John II. X Scott for Mrs.
Keith Donaldson, characterized this de-
mand and the summing UP address of
Mr.. Todd, as the most cruel and heart
less speech he had ever heard. He said
Mr.. Todd knew II was impossible for
this pennlless woman" to provide a
bond.
Keith Donaldson testified for n few
moments, being one of the last witnesses.
He said he was willing his former wife
should see the little girl and that the
agreement be lived up to. The divorce
agreement gives Mrs. Keith Donaldson
possession Of the girl four months a
year and direction Of her education. The
remainder of the year the girl is to stay
with her father.
The refusal of Mrs. Keith Donaldsons
daughter, Dorothy. to go with her
mother, several Tits between lawyers
and the naive statement by the beautiful
Mrs. Donaldson that she generally is
broke In January" featured the hearing.
When Mrs. Donaldson came into the
courtroom she was attired effectively in
black velvet, trimmed with fur. and wore
large black hat Her former mother
in-law, with the French maid and littlA
Dorothy Donaldson, was sitting in
benches at the rear of the courtroom.
The younger Mrs. Donaldson walked di-
rectly to these benches and leaned over
the little girl.
Baby" she said, there's present for
you" She handed the child a package.
go away" said the little girl; II don't |
want you.''
Mrs Donaldson smiled and continued: |
Baby, do you remember that doll baby |
and writing desk and those other toys |
told you I'd ask Santa Claus to go to |
Paris and get for you. Well, he made
a mistake and left them at my house.
They're there waiting for you"
II don't want them" said the child,
Go away, 1 don't want YOU
Mrs. Donaldson swallowed hard and |
.urning, walking quietly to her seat at
The counsel table. She declared that
t was the first time the child had treated
ler in that manner.
The testimony concerning her finances
vas given under cross-examnation by
David NJ. Smythe. ex-director of Public
safety, attorney for the defense. He con-
inually asked Mrs. Donaldson where she
ot her money. She said she gets alimony
II 500 month and $500 a year from a
abroad investment She testified she has
eased her home in London and gets
ome revenue from this.
MIR. Smythe asked specifically about her
condition in January, 1918. He
wanted to know II she had not been
broke that month.
Il generally am broke in January"
he replied. There was laugh and the
ourt called for order.