LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

Bruce Herald, Volume LV, Issue 21, 17 March 1919, Page 5

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

ARTISTS' MODEL SUES DANISH DIPLOMAT'S SON. That it was a case of love at first sight was an artists' model's own description of a romance which was unfolded in the London Sheriff's Court, where sko brought an .action for breach of promise of marriage. The aggrieved party was Miss Francis Mary Ruff., and the defendant was Stcn Anderson Eiskc Do Billo, son of the' late Danish Minister in London. It was stated by counsel that defendant's father, grandfather, and great-grandfMhcr had all represented Denmark in London, and it was his grandfather who signed the marriage contract between King Edward and Queen Alexandra. Plaintiff was the only daughter of a widow, whom skc had supported by sitting as a model sinco she was 17 for Sir Alma Tadcma and other eminent artists. She was the grand niece of Sir Henry Dou'iton. The young people met at a friend's house in 1917, and they became engaged in January of this year. They dined together nearly ovcry, night, defendant spending 30s on the dinners, "besides taxis. He told her there was another lady in Ireland of whom ho was very fond, hut that matters had been arranged, and that they could be married in March. In May he wrote to plaintiff suggesting that they had better see one another no more, Miss Ruff said she was 26, and lived at Brixton with her mother. It was a ease of love at first sight. Plaintiff told her his income was about £6OO a year, and he spent hundreds of pounds on entertaining her. ! 'Mr Do Billc, who admitted tho promiso, said his only income was £5 a week as an cmp'loyo in tho Censor's Department. Ho might have paid/25s to 30s about three times a week for dinners. Tho jury assessed tho damages at £250, and judgment was given for that amount.