BREACH OF PROMISE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 September 1927, Page 6

BREACH OF PROMISE

Jilted for Bridesmaid

A PICKLE PAUMEK FAYS

Within three weeks of the June day on which she was to have been led to the altar by her farmer-sweetheart.

a young- woman from Newport*, Monmouthshire, found that his lov e had died. Tliroc weeks after what she had visioned would be her happy wedding, the intended bride, Miss Olive Cook, who is 20 years of age, sought redress in the ' Court. His fickleness cost the prospective bridegroom, William Williams, aged 23, a farmer, £l5B in damages and easts, awarded against him by a jury who regarded the absence of a defence tothe action as an admission that lie broke his promise to Miss Cook. Romance, that it had taken four full years to promote was suddenly shattored. when thermal stag s of the preparations for tlW' wedding were being arranged. The wedding cake had be'n purchased, aiid rooms had been taken for their proposed honeymoon at Burnham, in Somerset. Even the farm, vacated by William’s parents, which was to be their home, was partly furnished, and thoughtful of home life, Miss Cook had bought a quantity of clothing and household linen.

About three weeks before the wedding day, there arrived from Canada, a -Miss Lilia Williams. She was Williams’ stcp-nioco, and had crossed the Atlantic to be a bridesmaid at the wedding As events afterwards proved, Williams fell in love at first sight. Thinking of his approaching marriage and the change in his affections, Williams appeared very unhappy on the day after her arrival. The story from this point was best outlined to the Court by Miss Cook and her counsel.

Counsel related that when they mot. at th e farm a few days after the stepniece had come over, Williams told Miss Cook that Ire had fallen in love with the bridesmaid from Canada, and that he was “in a terrible state.” There was th e usual bout of crying but both went on putting the carpeton the stairs of what was to be their future home. The young farmer’s coolness towards his prospective brid e however, became more pronounced. They had an interview, and then it was that Williams made tlm definite break, wli n ho told his fiancee that he had written to the minister informing him that his services would not be required for tire wedding. '“lbis bettor to break it off now,” were bis words to Miss Cook, ’’than to break it off on the morning of Ihe wedding.” This ended th,. romance, and as counsel pointed out the fickle fanner may have exercised considerable foresight in changing his bride, as the bride he chcsg from Canada was coming into a considerable dowry. WilMams’ parents hav e retaken possession of the farm. Miss Cook was a shop assistant. She had been encaged to Williams for four years aud Iho ring lie gave her ho had never asked to bo returned.