GIANT IN LOVE.

Evening Star, Issue 12684, 10 June 1907, Page 1

GIANT IN LOVE.

PROPOSED FROM AUDIENCE TO STAGE. CHASE OVER EUROPE. All the elements of real romance (say* a London paper) are wrapped up in the story of the love of Mr Olive Darril, an Australian giant, for Miss Maricdl. a Tyrolean giantess, and' one of the tallest laclies who have ever appeared in London. The lady stands Bft 3in high, is twentythree years of age, and of passably good looks. Mr is the son of a wealthy Australian farmer, hailing from Wagga Wagga, in New South Wales. He is twenty-four veais of age, and is no less than Bft Bin high in his boots, and broad in proportion. Up to a few months ago he never set foot outside his native ' wilds, but his father having died and left him a comfortable competence, he determined U> leave Australia for a short time and "do" Europe. Arriving at Vienna iii .Tannafy, he first saw Miss Mariedl parforming at one of the theatres there. Mr Darril had previously expressed his intention of discovering, if pcssib!s,_ n lady of about his own size and build with a view to offering her marriag_e. Immediately he set eyes on the tall jtfariedl tinAustralian determined that he would wed her if the lady should be agreeable. "This is the woman," he declared, "thai I have been looking for. My ambition is to rear a race of giants for posterity to wonder at and admire." But between the swain and the object of his affections stood the lady's manager, who was adamant to all appeals for an introduction. Darril bombarded her with bouquets and bonbons, and sat in the stalls every night at the theatre. But he got no nearer the accomplishment of his heart's desire. Suddenly the lady disappeared. After much difficulty he traced her to Berlin. In the German capital no better luck awaited the earnest lover. She appeared at another theatre, and despite appeals to her manager and letters addressed to the lady herself, Mr Darril failed to advance his suit. At the termination of the Berlin engagement, the young Australian discovered that Miss Mariedl's destination was London, but it was not until she was announced as appearing at the Hippodrome that he got the clue as to her actual whereabouts. At every performance Mr Darril occupied a seat in the stalls. He renewed his appeals to the manager of the fair object of his love, and sent her letters, but without avail. A dramatic climax came recently Mr Darril, standing up in the stalls, addressed the object of his affections on the stage. The audience listened openmouthed, and it was soon evident tb.3t their sympathies were with the giant Australian, Whether the lady on the stage understood the full trend of Mr Darril's declaration of love is an open question, seeing that she does not speak thn language. The officials requested Mr Darril to desist, and he left the theatre. H« was again present at night, and the afternoon's scenes were repeated. _ Then hd went round to the stage-door in an endeavor to have a personal interview witi the lady, but he was ordered away, and the police were called to keep out the lovesick giant. As a result of all this Mr Darril has been refused admission bf the Hippodrome management. But Mr Darril comes of good colonial stock, and is not easily beaten. He had learned that by the terms of Mist Mariedl's contract she must be taken oui of town every Sunday, and determined to follow her. Therefore, when on a recent Sunday the giantess drove down into Surrey, the Cornstalk followed in a motor Ear, and overtook her at Guildford, where, in the Angel Hotel, he was introduced, spite opposition from the lady's manager. Surrounded by their friends, the couple took lunch together, and Mr Darril seized the opportunity to advance his suit. The manager ultimately relented so far as to consent to write to Mariedl's parents and vw, isk whether they would permit the jnmrg "4j