"TILL HELL TURNS WHITE."

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 57, 23 February 1918, Page 15

"TILL HELL TURNS WHITE."

SOLDIER LOVER'S LETTERS AND

POETRY,

"Met in May, engaged in June," was how counsel put matters in opening, in the London Sheriff's Court, a breach of promise case, In which an Australian soldier was the defendant and the plaintiff was Winifred Mary Gower, the daughter of a cabdriver, of 44, Benhlll Road, Camberwell. The defendant was Frederick Charles Bridges, a corporal In the Australian forces.

Tlie soldier gnve the lady valuable presents, including a gold watch studded with diamonds worth £28, nnd a £10 ring, and up to October 19 he wrote loving letters. Two days later, however, he wrote asking for the return of certain photos, and theu came a letter from someone who said she was his wife. He had £TXX> a year private Income, which would be Increased by £2000 a year on the death of his father.

The defendant appeared to have plenty of money, and always visited the lady in a

motor car.

Counsel read many letters from the defendant to plaintiff. In one he wrote:— "If you will have mc I will be yours till Hell turns white with delight, and 1 will give you the time of your life."

In another, commencing "My own darling Win," he said ... "I swear on my honour it is a case of first sight. Im not a hypocrite. Win."

On June 2 he wrote, "Bnt I love you, and then breaking Into poetry.

Come to mc ln my dreams, and then By day I shall be well again;

For then the night wiU more than pay

The hopeless longing of the day.

The jury assessed the damages at £25, and Judgment was entered for that amount with costs.