AMAZING DECEIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1936, Page 8

AMAZING DECEIT

BREACH OF PROMISE CASE On the eve of the day that he was to have married the girl he had courted for nine years, a bridegroom-to-be sent a telegram cancelling the ceremony. He actually stood at the altar with another bride on the following day. This was revealed in a recent case at Birmingham, in which Wilfrid John Procter, commercial traveller, formerly of Birmingham, and now of Middlesex, was ordered to pay £275 to Miss Lilian Dorothy Keatley, of Jesmbnd Dene, Handswortli, who sued him for breach of promise. / The parties, it was explained, became acquainted about 11 years ago, and started walking out two years after that. Five years ago they became formally engaged, and since then Miss Keatley had worn Procter’s ring. Following' promotion in his business, Procter removed to London. 'The marriage was fixed for August 31 last, and Miss Keatley went to London to help him choose the furniture. Owing to the absence of the man through whom he proposed to buy it, this was postponed, the understanding being that they would get it after the honeymoon.

Proctei’ went to Birmingham to make final preparations for the wedding, and a number of the 60 guests for whom Miss Keatley’s father arranged a reception at an hotel were invited on his suggestion. On the day before that fixed for the wedding, after all the' arrangements had been made, there came a telegram from Procter: “Cannot go through with it to-morrow. Express lettei- in post explaining decision, which is final.” The letter which followed stated:- — “My Dear Lili, —This is the most terrible letter 1 have ever had to write, and it is killing me to do it. ... You know only too well how dreadful I have been during the last year. The real reason has been that I have felt in my soul that I did not love you with all the fullness of my heart and desire.

' “I have tided on numberless occasions to tell you, and on Tuesday I came with the firm intention of tell'ing you that I was not fit to marry you.

' “Then when I see you I cannot tell you, because I am so sorry and I know how it would hurt you. “You have been so wonderful during all these years—patient, true, ten--der, loving, and helpful in every way ! —and I have been just the opposite to you—God only knows why. Now it’s (nearly the time that we arranged to be joined together for ever, and if I did so it would be an unforgivable sin to you, for I am not fit or worthy of loving you. “You deserve so much love and dej votion, and I have failed to give it you. . . I cannot write more, and can hardly see the paper for my tears. . You are always in my thoughts and prayers, and always will be. and may God help you and comfort you and make you realise that it’s all in His hands.—Wilfrid.” “That letter,” remarked Mr. D. D. Finnemore, who appeared for Miss Keatley, “might be the letter of an honest man or of a hypocrite. It would seem, I am afraid, that the second of the two suggestions is the right one here.” Certain inquiries were made and from information which came to Miss Keatley’s solicitors, it appeared that Procter did not marry her because he married someone else —actually on the day fixed for his wedding with Miss Keatley. In the witness-box Miss Keatley spoke of receiving letters from Procter in which he referred to her as “a gift of God,” and pledged his “eternal devotion.”