BREACH OF PROMISE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 251, 4 August 1933, Page 3

BREACH OF PROMISE

MAN MARRIED ANOTHER. JILTED GIRL AWARDED £l5O. No defence beim* put forward, a jury in Belfast, Ireland, recently awarded £l5O damages to Miss Sadie Stevenson, an attractive girl of 21 who sued William H. Bell,' junior, bricklayer, for breach of promise of marriage. According to her counsel, Miss Stevenson had "kept company" with Bell for some years prior to July of last year, and she wore an engagement ring for two years. She was much in love with Bell, who sometimes stayed at her parents' house at week-ends and for longer periods. In preparation for the marriage Bell collected a quantity of furniture, and he spent a good deal of time in making rugs and things for .their new house. Then, in July, 1931, Miss Stevenson received a shock when Bell informed her lie was not going to marry her. She suffered a nervous breakdown, and was laid up for three or four months. She received another shock on learning that Bell had married another girl. Giving evidence Miss Stevenson stated that the last letter Bell wrote to her read: " Dear Sadie, —Many thanks tor the papers and your nice note which I got K-hen I arrived .... I hope you have a good Twelfth'. It won't be much of a one for me, but don't let me be keeping vou from enjoying yourself, and remember what 1 told you—if anyone comes along do not let me stand m your way, no matter what happens. I want you to be happy, very happy, and you couldn't be very well with me, nor I with you on account of affairs. I hate to mention it. Io doesn't make matters any easier for you or anyone else. I am keeping much the same, still taking my medicine, and working away as best I* can, and trying to forget as best as I can . . —Yours, as ever, Harry. Mr Ciirran also read the following letter Bell sent to the girl's mother after a firm of solicitors had written to him: — . Dear Mrs Stevenson—l received a letter regarding Sadie, and as far as I can see from it Sadie wants compensation for the wrong I done her if I ever done any. I was always good to her 'and resnectcd you every one. I do not wish to state -here why I married, as it would not do any good, but it's done, and it can't be helped. My wife has taken this letter so badly that she has left me, so that my home is broken up. . This is some satisfaction for Sadie at least, but no matter, Mrs Stevenson, it Sadie wants monev the best I can do is to pay it as I can, as I have no money now. My best to you all and 1 hope vou will forgive me.—\V. H. Bell.