SECRETLY MARRIED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22250, 26 October 1935, Page 2 (Supplement)

SECRETLY MARRIED

HEIRESS TO MILLIONS MOTOR MAGNATE'S DAUGHTER OWNER OF PRICELESS PEARLS Mrs. Dodge Baker, one of the richest young women in the world, and owner of the priceless Romanoff pearls, was secretly married recently to the equally wealthy Mr. Timothy Godde, her third husband. He is a naturalised American, but was born in France of an ancient French family, which owned celebrated castles. They could have had a prodigal London wedding, writes a special correspondent of the Daily Express from Ascot. For she is the daughter of the " mushroom " millionaire, Mr. Horace E. Dodge, who had a romantic riso to fortune through tho colossal motor-car business which still bears his name. lint tliev decided to havo a quiet wedding. They put all inquirers off the scent by vaguely saying they would be married somo time in September and have a reception at St. Leonards, Mr. Horace Dodge's magnificent estate at Windsor. Then two motor-cars drew up before the registrar's office of Bracknell, a village near Ascot. Out stepped Mr. Godde, his bride, and one or two members of the family. They arrived half an hour late for their own wedding, which was due to begin at 2 o'clock. Bridegroom's Ruse So anxious were they to keep their wedding a secret that when I talked to Mr. Godde afterward he said he was a friend of the family, continues the correspondent. I mot this distinguishedlooking man with thick black hair greying at the temples, walking a"bout the beautiful grounds of his brother-in-law's estate. " Oh, yes," he said, "I can tell you about the bride. She is blonde, tall, slim, and good-looking. She is the best woman motor-boat driver in the world. She is absolutely fearless, and has tremendous courage. Why, I have seen her take chances on the water no man would dare take." His voice became more enthusiastic. "Music? She has given five concerts in this country. Yes, she is a celebrated pianist. And Mr. Godde? Oh, he . . . Yes, he is all you say. He retired from business rather early, as his family had a fair amount, and plaved a bit of golf." My suspicions were confirmed. Mr. Godde is one of the best amateur golfers in America. No other man would have talked so casually about a scratch golfer. " But," I pleaded. " Isn't there any chance of seeing Mr. Godde? " He hesitated, smiled, and disappeared. There was a laugh. Then the "friend of tho family" came back, handsomely reintroducing himself as Mr. Godde and "my wife." They were obviously enchanted with one another, and talked about each other in and out of turn. Honeymoon Plans " We're going away for our honeymoon to the Continent, as I have gone into the importing business here, and have to travel in various countries for my business," he said. "When I come back it will bo to my London house, where I havo lived for two years," said Mrs. Goddo. Then they explained the mystery of their wedding. " You see," said Mrs. Godde, "we decided to keep it quiet because I am so sick of the false reports which havo appeared about me in the American press. I decided that I would not tell anyone anything about it. " They said that I was disowning the American flag, that I was going to bring all my money to this country, that I was going to renounce my American citizenship. That is not true. Besides, my mother has temporary control of the money. Pearls Lelt in United States " My pearls? I left them with my mother in New York. My daughter, Christine Cromwell, I left there. You know I was first married to Jimmie Cromwell, who is now married to Doris Duke (tobacco millionairess). This is the daughter of my second marriage." A pretty little girl dressed in sugarcandy pink played between them. Her father was Mr. Raymond T. Baker, a director of the United States Mint, who died this year. " How long have wo known one another? " They looked at one another. " Not for long," said Mr. Godde. "But we knew one another in America," said Mrs. Godde. I was left to add that up mvself.

The Romanoff pearls, said to be the most perfectly matched in the world, have had a strange history. They were said to have been owned by the Roman general, Pompey, by Catherine 11. of Russia, and were in the possession of the Romanoff family when they were

overthrown. The legend is that they have brought misfortune to all their owners. The "curse" seems to have lifted with their present owner, the brilliant daughter of Horace Dodge, for no one ever looked happier than sho did.