CLARA BOW AND HER SECRETARY.
SCENES DURING TRIAL FOR 30.000 DOLLARS THEFT.
COURT LITTERED WITH FUR COATS AND FINERY.
The flaming-haired film star, Clara Bow, to-day attended the trial at Los Angeles, of her former secretary, Miss Daisy Devoe, who is charged with having stolen 30.000 dollars in cash and property from her employer.
Miss Bow, who was escorted into the court by Rex Bell, the erstwhile cowboy actor, testified that she had employed Miss Devoe in January, 1929, at a salary of Β£15 weekly, later paying her Β£25 weekly.
Questioned regarding Miss Devoe's duties, and how she had left her employment, Miss Bow replied, "She just left. All she had to do was to pay my bills, and take her salary from the Clara Bow special bank account."
Miss Bow said she had never authorised Miss Devoe to make out cheques to herself other than for her salary.
A list of 37 cheques, drawn for bills for clothing, jewellery, and motor cars was shown to Miss Bow, who, when asked if she had authorised them, replied: "I should say not."
A dramatic scene occurred at this stage of the proceedings. Miss Bow, having caught Miss Devoe's gaze fixed on her, fairly screamed out in court, "All right, go ahead! Sneer at me, Daisy."
Miss Devoe replied by merely turning away her face, but Miss Bow, putting her handkerchief over her eyes, began to weep.
She wept again later when asked about other alleged misuses of her accounts, which it was stated amounted in two years to the sum of 40.00 dollars.
The court-room was littered with fur coats, silk dresses and other finery, watches, and rings - alleged to have been purchased by Miss Devoe.