HAS SHE A HUSBAND?

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

HAS SHE A HUSBAND?

CREED at Liverpool on a charge I of bigamy, a pretty blonde dancer of 21 has been wondering whether, far from having two "husbands," she was actually without one. Bewildered and disillusioned, she revealed that until the matter is straightened out there will be a "temporary separation" between her and the man she was alleged to have married bigamously following a wedding in South Africa. If necessary, she is ready to carry on alone, give up her hopes of a happy married life with the man she loves, and return to tho stage to earn her living again. Tho girl is Doris Marguerite Dooley, staying with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Dooley, of Wavertree, Liverpool. When she first appeared in Court she was accused, in the name of Doris Marguerite Isaacs, of having bigamously married Michael Francis O'Grady, school teacher, of Mossville Road, Garston, Liverpool, and evidence was given that previously she had gone through a form of marriage in South Africa with a motor salesman, named Walter Isaacs. She was touring South Africa with a troupe of dancers at the time. In England Michael O'Grady was awaiting her return, for it had been arranged that when the tour was over they should become engaged. They fulfilled their intention, and were "married" at St. Hugh's Roman Catholic Church, Earle Road, Liverpool, on July Mr. T. A. Smith, prosecuting, reminded the magistrates .that a young woman dancer who had given evidence regarding the alleged marriage had admitted that the girl and-Isaacs did not live together. ~ ~ •"

Sequel To A Bigamy Charge The clerk pointed out that there was 310 proof that the man the girl married in South Africa. was alive when the second marriage took place. Mr. Eric Errmgton, !!Vt.Pfor the girl, observed that she was under ago at the time of the supposed marriage in South Africa. The hearing of the case was adjourned so that an expert, on South. African law could give evidence as to the alleged marriage at Pietermaritzburg, 'but when the proceedings wore resumed the prosecution announced that it was proposed to call no further evidence. The magistrate considered there was not sufficient evidence to justify a committal for trial. At an interview, Miss Dooley declared: .. "It" would appear now that, instead of having two 'husbands,' X have not got even one. "Even if the South African marriage were valid—l never really believed It was, though I am told now that that has been established—l understand it. has been dissolved. "As the dissolution was not effective when I married Michael O'Gmriv. T nv». sumo that my marriage to him was no marriage at all, and mat l u.n Mrs. Isaacs nor Mrs. O'Grady, but once more Doris Marguerite . Dooley." Dismissal of the case against her served only to confuse Miss Dooley as to lier real position. Referring to events in South Africa, which she toured at the end of 1937 with the "Gordon Kay Girl*," she said she was introduced to Isaacs at a party given for the company.

"It soon became evident that he was madly in love, and we saw each other frequently. Then, one day, after & party, we went to an office and there I signed a paper," she revealed. "I was under 21 at the time, and I never believed I had gone through a form of marriage. "Isaacs and I did not live together, for I stayed with the girls as before. Then we moved on to Durban and I though, nothing more of the matter. "I knew that at home Michael, whom I had always loved, was waiting for me, and when I returned to England he and I became engaged. "The fact that Isaacs wrote to me in my maiden name, and asked me to return to South Africa to marry him, convinced mo more than ever that I could not be liis wife. X decidcd not to go back, and it was in those circumstances that Michael and I were married. "Wo moved into our new home, and it seemed that we could settle down to the happiness for which we both longed. Then there came a shock —an advertisement citing me to appear before tlio Supreme Court of the Transvaal, where Walter was claiming restitution of conjugal rights. 'Visits from the police concerning my marriage to Michael, and then Court ' proceedings followed. "When the case was dismissed, it only confused me as to my position." . Asked whether she and Mr. O'Grady intended to be remarried, Mi6s Dcoley stated that the future was uncertain. "Michael and I are not 6ceing each other nntil the matter has been cleared up,' she declared. "I love him too much to have desired to draw him into this mess, but I did it in all innocence. If after this he does not want me, then I shall have to resume my ?tage career and try to forget this unhappy episode m. my life."