Evening star., 1934-11-28
LORD ASHLEYW|NS
SUIT FOR DIVORCE:
Fairbanks, as Correspond.
ent, Must Pay Costs of
About $4,000.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, November 28-Lord Ash
ley was granted divorce decree nisi
today from Lady Ashley and costs of
the action were assessed against
Douglas Fairbanks, ST., named as CO.
respondent.
The decree, which gives the young
nobleman final divorce after six
months If contrary cause is not shown,
was handed down shortly after the
case came before Sir Boyd Merriman.
The suit was not defended and serv-
ices Of q jury were not required.
Lady Ashley is the former Sylvia
Hawkes., musical comedy actress.
The court action today required ex-
actly eight minutes time Neither
Lady Ashley nor Fairbanks was in
court, but Lord Ashley was there,
smartly attired in gray suit.
Fairbanks Secretary Called.
Ashley gave evidence supporting
his petition and called as a witness q
Mr.. Edwards" who he said had acted
as private secretary to Fairbanks from
September, 1888.
The nobleman testified he and his
wife had lived together in comparative
happiness after their marriage, Febru-
ary 3, 1927, until Lady Ashley went
to America in January. 1928. con-
trary to his wishes, and they had not
lived together since.
Subsequently, Lord Ashley con-
tinued, he received information of
Lady Ashley's association with Fair
banks He charged misconduct at the
Hyde Park Hotel and a house known
as North Mimms Park" which Fair
banks had taken in the country.
Fairbanks wife. Mary Pickford, also
an American screen star, filed suit
for divorce last December.
Lawyers said 1t would require sew
eral days to fix the costs of the case,
which Fairbanks is to pay, but esti-
mated the figure probably would be
about $4,000 lSl0,0O0).
During the hearing Sir Patrick
asked Edwards if Lady Ashley was a
frequent visitor.
yes" replied Edwards. Il often
received instructions not to disturb
them. She was very frequently
there
In further questioning concerning
the Hyde Park Hotel Edwards was
asked:
In October do you remember Lady
Ashley coming to his suite about
1880 in the morning soon after Fair
banks returned from Paris Octo-
Der 23?"
Yes" Edwards answered.
where did they go?"
To his bed room," Edwards testi-
fed
Were you in the suite all day?"
"Yes."
Did you see them come out of
the bed room?'
Again Edwards answered yes"
Edwards then testified Fairbanks
was wearing a gown over his pajamas.
He said Lady Ashley wore a fur coat
Took House in Country.
Edwards added that Fairbanks
took house in the country, where
he and Lady Ashley went to live
for long period. He said he left
the actors service May 26, 1884
The 34-year -old Lord Ashley. whose
family is one Of the most aristocratic
and wealthy in England, married Miss
Hawkes., once a favorite Of London's
Midnight Follies, despite parental OBJ
jections. He is the heir Of the ninth
Earl Of Shaftesbury, former lord
mayor Of Belfast and a prominent
Churchman.
There have been recurrent rumors
of reconciliation between Fairbanks
and his estranged wife. but nothing
came of them. although the couple
saw each other when Doug made a
recent trip to California.
London also has heard rumors Fair
banks intended to wed Lady Ashley.
Charges of continued misconduct
by Fairbanks and Lady Ashley were
filed by Lord Ashley in July. two
weeks after the actor and the bobbed-
haired Lady Ashley had flown to
Paris together and visited Monte
Carlo with her sister.