BRIDE VANISHES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 March 1939, Page 12

BRIDE VANISHES

ON WEDDING EVE. CARDIFF, January 17. An 18-year-old girl belonging to Blaina, Monmouthshire, her fiance, who is a Blaina miner, and a wealthy Indian cotton merchant, are central figures in a marriage postponement which is being widely discussed in South Wales. The miner, Mr. Alexander Frederick Powell, aged 20, to-day discussed the circumstances which led to the wedding not taking place. “My fiancee, Miss Phyllis Britton, and T had arranged to be married at Tredegar Register Office on Saturday," he said. “The last time I saw her was on Friday evening. This is the second time that we had arranged to get married."

Mr. Powell then described how, previously, Miss Britton had worked as a maid at the Surrey home of a wealthy Indian, who had given her many presents.

“Later lie returned to Bombay, where he has large business interests, and Miss Britton obtained a flat in Nowport-road, Cardiff,” he said. “We 'agreed to start afresh, and last Whitsun we arranged to get marri d. Just before Whitsun, however, she said she was going to Surrey to visit friends, and did not return until some days after. We again parted, but later she invited me to see her.

“We again arranged to get married. Before our wedding', however, Phyllis received several cablegrams from Bombay.” Mr. Powell handed these cables to the Press. One read: “You deserve better things. Please keep your solemn undertaking. Stand by me whatever happens.” Another contained the phrase: “D: n’t lot old age rule me out. . . .

Please spare me further misery.” Mr. Powell said that he had been of

fe l cd £lO,OOO if he would break his engagement to Miss Britton and forget her.

“I received a cheque for that amount." he said. “Although I am only a miner. 1 did not want money that. way. ] thought, more of Phyllis. ! walked to Abertillery Bridge, tore up f’-'e cheque, ami threw the bits over the side."

Miss Britton's father, Mr. Thomas Blitton, who works at Blaina Gasworks, to-night said: “My daughter is s'i’i: and sound. More than that lam not. going to say.” It. is understood that Miss Britton and her 15-year-old maid. Olga Bailey. ( i’ Cardiff, are staying at the house of wealthy Indian in Epsom, and that the tenant, of the house has left Bombay for England.