WIFE'S DEVOTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

WIFE'S DEVOTION

STOWAWAY ON LINER COULD NOT BEAR SEPARATION The story of a laughing girl-wife stowaway who refused to allow an unkind fate to separate her from her husband, and who became the most popular passenger in the ship, was revealed at Liverpool recently when the liner, the Duchess of Atholl, berthed. She is Mrs. Susan Wilkinson, aged 22. wife of a ship's steward. Twelve months ago, in Montreal, Susan, who had emigrated to Canada from Glasgow, married George Wilkinson, steward in a ship sailing between Liverpool and Canada. After one trip, finding his wife wa 3 seriously ill. and about to be operated on Wilkinson, deserted his ship to remain at her side. For this otlence, when his wife ha recovered, he was ordered to be deported. and he sailed on the Duchess of Atholl. . The ship was a full day at sea wfien Wilkinson was amazed to see his young wife brought into the dining saloon by an officer and given a seat at the tabu" alongside him. , "1 could m<t bear to see George taken, away from me. and, unknown to hinii 1 went to the ship as a visitor. J. searched for him everywhere and was still looking for him when 1 heard, visitors called ashore," Mrs. \\ ilkinsoD related at Liverpool. , "1 slipped into a bathroom, and locked mvself in, staying there for -4 hours, and then, being terribly hungry, I gave myself up. Everybody was very ••1 was not given any work to do for heiiiir a stowaway. a>;d I had all m. meals with my husband. Now they ha\ allowed me to go free. <- l was prepared to go through anything, but 1 did not want to have George taken away from me ike that. As the happy couple left the ship wr the home of Wilkinson s parents i Adelaide Road. Sea forth, they were given a cheer from some of the ere who were leaning over the side of tw liner.