The Washington times., 1922-01-11

AWARDED.
D. c. BELLE
IN FRANCE

News From Paris Recalls Court
ship Of Former Miss EIkins
BY Duke Of Abruzzi.
Washington society IL agog today
over a report from Paris Of the d.
vorce Of Mrs. Katherine Ell<ins Hit,
former Washington belle, daughter
Of the late Senator Elkins. and for
mer fiancee Of the Duke Of Abruzzi.
from William e. r. Hit, popular'y
known as Billy" Hit
SUIT Not Contested.
Mrs. Hitt, the report states. testi-
fled that she was mot on terms Of
affection necessary for married LIE,
and that Mr.. Init refused 10 renew
the conJugal relations." Her suit was
not contested
Mrs. Hit filed application through
- firm Of American lawyers In Paris
late last spring. Immediately after her
ARRIVAL In the French capital, the
case coming up for hearing before the
Third Paris Chamber last June.
The courtship Of Katherine EIlxins
and BILLY" Hit reads like q page Of
romance. When Miss Ellrins first
came to Washington and began to
take part In society doings she had
scores of admirers. None was rnors
persistent than Billy Hit, and he
gradually obtained the upper hand.
Everything seemed to be going wen
for him until the Duke Of Abrusxi,
cousin OF the King Of Italy and q
high officer in the navy, visited this
country and came to Washington TO
pay his respects to President Roose.
welt. A few days after the meeting
with the President the Duke was the
guest of honor at q dinner party
given by the then Secretary Of the
Navy and Mrs. George Won L. Meyer.
Miss Elkins was one Of the invited
guests and Immediately there sprang
up between the Italian Duk6 and
the pretty American girl q friend.
ship that threatened for q time TO
result In her marriage into the royal
family or Italy. 49,
" Sent $500 Ring. ..
The duke prevailed upon Mrs. Elkins
TO visit the italian fleet, which was
anchored off Norfolk, and to bring
Miss Katherine with her. Immediately
the society gossips Of the country had
them engaged. II was denied by both
parties, but the duke continued to pay
marked attention to her. Shortly after
the duke left with the italian fleet a
handsome ring, valued at 5000, was
seized by the custom authorities at
Pittsburgh. It was said that the ring
was sent by the duke AZ a present to
Miss Elkins.
I A few months later It was discovered
that the duke had returned to this
country and was travelling with the
Ell1ins family in Florida. When the
returned to Washington and the duke
sought refuge from society gossips In
the Italian embassy here.
Then II began to be rumored here
that the Duchess d'Aosta, the
naughty wife Of the Dukes eldest
brother, strongly objected to the con-
templated marriage, and that she had
influenced the italian court to on.
pose II. The Dowager Queen Marg.
herita openly opposed the marriage,
and said that an American girl would
never form an alliance with the
house Of Savoy. The duke then left
america, and II was said went to
Rome to try and persuade his royal
relatives to relent. They seemingly
did not, for the duke then began q
tour of the old world. and II was ru-
mored again that he was seeking 20
mend broken heart by travel.
During all this time BILLY" Hit
never gave up. and was seen often
in the company with Miss Eikins. In
1919 he accompanied the Eflxins fam
lily to Europe, and on October 20.
1918, announcement was made that
Miss Ellxins and Mr.. Hit had been
married at the Elkins home at EIltins.
w. Va.
Miss Ellkins was a great society
favorite while in Washington and was
one Of the most accomplished horse
women In America. Her father was
Stephen B. Elkins, former Senator
from West Virginia and a millionaire.
Her grandfather was Henry CASA.
way Davis, one-time candidate for
vice president. Mr.. Hit Is the son
OF the late Congressman Hit from
Illinois. and on the death of Con.
gresham Hit the son was left an
estate valued at several million
dollars.
Since her return from Europe last
autumn, following instlgation Of the
divorce proccedinss, Mrs.. Hltt hss