The Washington times., 1924-07-25
ACTRESS SUED
FOR LOVE
THEFT
Margarita MeIamet Accused
by Wife Of Partner, Who
Seeks $4,000

Il e p.
BALTIMORE. July rs. Miss
Margarita Melamet. daughter Of
Professor David s. Melamet, widely
known musician, yesterday was
sued for $4,000 in the city court by
Mrs. Eleanor HilIiam. OF New York.
Mrs. Hilliam alleged alienation of
the affections Of her husband. Bent
ley C. lillian, who has been asso-
ciated with Miss Melamet In a
musical act on the Keith vaude-
vile circuit.
Miss Melamet last night through
her father denied all Of Mrs. Hill
liam's allegations and declared that
her association with Mr.. lillian
had been professional only. Since
Mrs. lillian visited the Melamet
home four weeks ago and COM
planned to Professor Melamet Miss
Melanet has broken her contract
with the musical act and is living
at her parents home at the STRAIT
ford apartments on Liberty Heights
avenue.
Lived in New York.
Mrs. lillian in the declaration
filed through Curran, Leach and j.
Kemp Bartlett, jr., attorneys, stated
that for more than three years she
and her husband lived in New York.
In July, 1923, the bill continues,
Miss Melamet gained the affections
Of Mr.. lillian and persuaded and
tpnI - IArp SN(R -
and otherwise to leave his wife
without support and associate with
the defendant.
Melamet continued unlawful and
wrongful relations with Mr.. lillian,
enticed him away from his wife in
August, 1923, and detained him
against his wife's win.
Because Of Miss Melamet, the
bill asserts, Mr.. lillian has become
estranged from his wife and his
affection for her has been de-
stroyed.
Prepared for Opera.
Professor Melamet last night said
his daughter went on the stage
little moro than q year ago to
gain experience and prepare for
grand opera.
II knew nothing Of the personal
affairs Of Mr.. Hilliam," he con-
tinued, sas my daughters associa-
tons with him were purely pro-
fessional. Some weeks ago he sent
me some music he had written for
chorus singing, and when about
four weeks ago those in the act
had three days off in Baltimore
while en- route to Louisville to fill
an engagement in Lancaster, Pa,
l invited him to spend the three
days at my home, so that he could
discuss his chorus composition and
other musical subjects.
While he was at my home I
was surprised when woman, who
said she was Mrs. lillian, called.
She told me she had come down
from New York. She complained
about her husbands association
with my daughter. / assured her
that this association was merely
professional, but also told her that
in view of her feelings in the
matter even that professional asso.
citation would be terminated. She
left apparently satisfied.
Mother With Her
81 told Mr., lillian that my
daughter would have to leave the
act. He protested that this would
involve him in serious financial loss,
as the act had contracts to fill. /
finally consented to let her remain
for two weeks until engagements
in Lancaster and Boston had been
filled, under condition that her
mother travel with her and be with
her at all times.
MY wife then went with our
daughter to both Lancaster and
Boston. With her my daughter re.
turned to our Baltimore home after
playing in these two cities. She
broke her contracts and has given
up her stage career. She did all
this despite the fact that her asso.
citation with Mr.. lillian was only
professional in order to avoid un.
lust and linfounded sIspicion %