The New York herald., 1921-06-25
Duke of Marlborough and Miss Deacon
Married BY Civil Ceremony in Paris
Bride Overcome by Gossip
About Lack Of Clergyman
for Religious Wedding.

Special Cabi. to THE NEW YosK f.srup
Copyright, 1921, by THE NEW foaK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, June sf.
Charles Richard John Spencer Church
Ill. Duke of Marlborough, and Miss
Marie Gladys Deacon OF Boston and
Paris were married by civil ceremony
performed by H. G. Mackie, British Con-
sul-General, here to-day. The ceremony
was performed at IL O'Clock this morn
ing in the dingy office of the British
Consul-General In ~, Kue Montalivet.
and was in accordance with the laws of
Great Britain and Ireland and OF the
French Republic.
The witnesses for the Duke were
Judge Walter Berry. president of the
American Chamber OF Commerce In
Paris and Counsellor J. r. b. Sewell
OF the British Embassy ana for the
bride. Mr.. Leon Renault one time Min
ister of the Interior. and Mr. Eugene
Higgins, her counsin
The only woman who saw the cere-
mony was Countess du Boisrouvray the
closest friend of the bride. Five news
paper correspondents won their way to
the Consul-Generars private Office ~
insisting on the observance of the
! British law, which makes all marriages
public. and witnessed the ceremony
which made Miss Deacon the Duchess OF
Marlborough
Every effort was made to keep the
hour OF the ceremony secret. but as
usual the plans miscarried However
the ducal couple took the publicity pleas
antly and lent themse. YES to photo
| graphic efforts which followed
Religious Ceremony To-day.
The civil ceremony was made neces-
sary by the French law, which. now
ever, permits foreigners to carry out
! these formalities at their own con-
sulate. It will be followed by re-
ligious ceremony, which will be at noon
tomorrow at the home Of the brides
cousin, Mr.. Higgins. Place d'Iena
Necessarily this ceremony must be per-
formed by regularly ordained clergy
man. Regarding this the utmost se-
crecv still prevails as the Duke, being
legally adJudged the guilty party in the
divorce case brought by the Duchess
Consue'o, obviously occupies a doubt
ful status under the law of the estab-
lished church.
1t is evident that this has greatly en-
Darrasscd the head Of the Churchill fam
liy, out according to statement made
oy Mr.. Higgins to-day the Duke has
ieaped these religious hurdles in some
manner not yet disclosed Mr.. Higgins
said clergyman had been found to per-
iorm the ceremony. although it is known
that Rev. DIR. Goodrich OF the Presby-
terian Church here and Rev. Dr. Allen,
minister of the Methodist Church.
were approached recently and refused TO
perform the ceremony
"A clergyman to perform the Dukes
marriage was secured several days ago
but / cannot disclose his name" Mr.
| Higgins said. THE Duke has become
very wrathy over the senseless gossip
that has arisen over this feature of his
marriage and has decided that the pub
lie will know nothing about it until the
last minute"
| The bride broke down to-day as a
result OF the publicity given this feature
OF her marriage and had to retire to her
room before the wedding luncheon. to
which score of guests had been in
vited. Her physicians anticipate a full
4 recovery before tomorrow, however
Apparently no guests have arrived
here from England for the ceremony to-
morrow. Surprise was expressed to-day
at the selection of Judge Berry as hes,
man, and 1t was learned that he would
act in the same capacity for the Dul,
at the religious ceremony tomorrow
| iNcidtNes VI tHe luke apparently WI
be conspicuous by their absence.
300 to Attend Reception.
a reception at which there will be
more than 800 guests will follow the re-
ligious ceremony. This reception will
be in the form OF garden party at Mr.
Higginss home. Af.c-war5 the Duke
and Duchess will leave Paris on an au-
tomobile tour. the itinerary of which is
being kept secret.
1t was little before IL o'clock this
morning when the Duke and Miss Dea :
con motored to the British Consulate
General. The Duke desired this civil
ceremony to be private. but newspaper
correspondents called his attention to
the fact that the British law provided
that no one could be excluded from wit
Messing marriage. which Mr.. Mackie,
| tho Consul-General. sustained.
Miss Deacon wore a good luck blue"
silk gown with cape effect of the same
color and large blue hat adorned
simply with ono large red rose Her