A ROMANTIC IRISH LAWSUIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5944, 4 December 1880, Page 7

A ROMANTIC IRISH LAWSUIT.

A case in which romance and mystery are combined was before Mr. Woodlock, at Dublin, recently. Mis. Clara <le Moley 113, wife of Edward H.de Moleyns, was charged with havingohtained by false pretences a sealskin jacket and dress from Pii.i Brothers. Thealleged false pretence was the statement that she was living with her husband and the request that the goods should be charged to his account, whereas the latter was living in England apart from her, and, with the exception of two days, they I had not seen each other siace May. The marriage took place 13 months ago, and both the parties are still under age. Mrs. de Moleyns lias an income of £150 for her separate use, while her husband is dependant 011 his father. .According to Mr. de Moleyns, sen., his son has been near Leeds since 18th July. He was separated from his wife for reasons eotmcctcd with her conduct. Defendant left her husband with her husband's perfect consent. Witness would not swear that her husband was not her escort across to England. In cross-examination witness said the following letter bearing postmark .July 2 - 2, was in his .son's handwriting :—" Sweetest, dearest Blossom,—How I miss you my love, my angel, the other half is next my heart (referring, counsel believed, to a photograph). There are three ordinary keys on my bunch, please send me two of them by post. When will I press you to my heart again ? Oh, my darling, do co:ne home on Thursday ; stay for the ba11. ,. Witness believed that that referred to the ball at Kensington House, where the Prince and Princess of Wales were present. The letter continued —" It is better for you to enjoy yourself than for me. Take your pleasure now, my blessed angel, and think of me .sometimes longing for you. God bless you, darling, and do come home very soon. Every minute you are away is a year from your own loving, trusting boy." No steps had been taken to separate witness' son and defendant. Another letter, bearing post mark 4th July, w;is read :—" Dearest Blossom,—When will you come home, darling ?| lam sorry yon are ill, love. Would not you come home soon'; I am so unhappy about your louelines here. What can Ido to make it better? I should so like to make you happy, but you wont let me, or tell me how you wish things to be. You should not be so secret about everything. Ido so want the photograph ; why don't you send it? I don't want any of the copies to be given away. I want it for self and no one else. Thank you awfully for the money (£2O). Ple;use send the other half-notes. Come home soon, dearest one ; but do let me know what your plans are, and what you intend to do. Will you tell me anything that would better your loniless here '! Always your loving and most affectionate husband, IS. H. 11K Moleyns." Witness said he was no party to the prosecution, and had refused to inform prosecutors of defendant's Christian name. When spoken to about the goods received by her, he might have said that there was not a penny to pay for them. In further examination witness said he was not aware defendant's mother was in Dover gaol for obtaining goods by false pretences. Defendant burst into tears, and rose and indignantly denied the charge, and her counsel said he would prove the charge utterly unfounded. Mr. Curran, for the prosecution, said that if the sister were produced he would examine her as to a document about her mother in Dover. The point was allowed to dropwithoutdefemlant's sister being placed in the box. Mr. de Moleyns stilted that his son left Ireland on 17th or "iSth July, saying he would never see his wife again, being displeased with her staying away, and because she had had in her possession certain things which he did not approve of. When witness' daughters were wiitiinx to defendant they did not know what the mother was at in England. A question as to « hetherthe mother's name was Ele;'nora Hope Pearson was objected to by defendant's counsel. Defendant was committed for trial, the bail of Mr. dc Moleyns, sen., her father-in-law, being taken, the prosecut'ng counsel offering to accept defendant's own bail. On Tuesday Mrs. de Moleyns was committed for trial on another charge of obtaining a valuable ring on false pretences.