ANGLO-AMERICAN ROMANCE

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7265, 13 October 1891, Page 3

ANGLO-AMERICAN ROMANCE

In 1876 an Englishman named Jabez Denton, a resident of Philadelphia, died, leaving a son named Paul Denton. Tho latter had but two relatives in America, an uncle living in San Francisco and an aunt residing in Denver, Colorado. The young man went to San Francisco tor the purpose of finding his uncle, but failed to do go, and then went to live with his aunt. Three years afterwards the uncle died, leaving a fortune of L20,000 to his nephew, who was only found after considerable advert Using. In the meantime the aunt died, leaving an adopted daughter, named Bertha Ashwell, L10.000, on condition that she should not marry before she was 20, She wrb then 16, and Paul Donton fell in love with her and persuaded her to marry him secretly. Three months afterwards Paul Denton was said to be lost while ascending Pike's Peak, and a body supposed to be his was found some time afterwards and buried. His fortune then reverted to another aunt, who had in the meantime gone to England. It now appears that Paul Denton was not dead, but had been abducted with-the expectation of receiving a reward. As none was offered tho young man was taken to British Columbia and shipped on board a whaler. This was in 1882, and the following year the nhaler arrived at Dundee. Denton left the whaler with LfiO, his wages as a sailor, and proceeded to London. After vainly cabling to his wifo and aunt in Denver ho sailed for America, and found his relative dead, and also I that she had left his fortune to relatives in Scotland, His wife had meanwhile ! given birth to a child, and the marriage being a secret, her guardian had turned her away, and she had gone to New York, from which city she was traced to Europe. Denton followed, but could not find her. His claimB to his fortune were ignored, and being unable to establish his identity, he was obliged to work for a living. All the money he earned he spent in travelling from place to place in search of his wife. LaBt week he traced her to San Francisco, and, claiming her as his wife, the pair have gone to Philadelphia, where Mr Denton holds an excellent position.