TRAGIC LOVE DRAMA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11251, 1 July 1922, Page 12

TRAGIC LOVE DRAMA

AGREED TO DIE MAN WHO ELOPED WITH BROTHER’S WIFE. “LIFETIME IN A WEEK.” LONDON, May 23. A series of tragic letters were read at the inquest at Brighten on William George Hibbert, aged 3S, a shoe manufacturer’s manager, whose home is at Kettering. Hibbert was found dead in a gasfilled room in a house in Queen’s road, Brighton, where he had been staying for the past week. With him when he wan found vyas his youngest brother’s wife, Maud Hibbert, aged 23. Airs Hibbert was almost unconscious, but she was able to murmur, “Oh, don’t take me away from him.” She is now in hospital. The first letter was written by the woman to Airs J. Briggs, 22, Grand road, Kettering. It read: My Dear Mother, —No doubt this will come as a great shock to you and all, but believe me, it is best so. Neither of us can go on without each other, so we have decided what we think is best. Don’t grieve about it, mother, for we are ever so happy, and to think of you being unhappy about it will mar ail the happiness we feel. If you feel inclined to blame Billy, put the idea right away, for we are both of the same mind. On no account is he to blame We just wish to be together, and would be lonely if we were ever parted. My last wish, mother, is to he with him for ever. Whatever you may feel about it, let us he placed together. Don’t waste money on black or flowers, but come in your brightest clothes, as black means Borrow, mother, and I am happy. . . . “I WILL GO WITH YOU.” The second letter was written by the woman to her dead lover: Aly Dearest, —Of course, I shall not let you go alone. It will be happiness, as I told you before, to go with you. To he left alone is unthinkable. Be quite sure things are as bad as you think they are, and remember your little ones. How will they he able to look after themselves? .... Won’t it he a shock to everyone? I am sorry for those we shall leave behind. It is a pity we cannot let them share our happiness, for it will be so to me. Now, love, I am asking you for some money to get a pretty nighty for our last week together. “NOT BAD, BUT AN ANGEL.” A third letter, written by the dead man to his brother John at Kettering, ran:— You will see by the above where we are. We had a glorious week, and are supremely happy. ... I met M. E. (the woman in the hospital) in London last Monday morning, and we did Lon. don fairly well, leaving there for Brighton the following Wednesday morning. We have just lived this time for one another, knowing full well the consequences, which we are prepared and willing to take. We have lived a life-time during this short week, and have no regrets. We have been, and are, supremely happy. Don’t let any blame fall on M. E. : she has been a thorough sport, and is smiling all through. Whether she knows all she feels I cannot say, but I have the satisfaction of knowing I have made her happy. This was the only course, and we mutually decided to carry it out. A woman who will sacrifice Her all to give one man supreme ■ love and happiness, and then finally go out with him, is not had, but an angel. The coroner said it appeared that the two had agreed to commit suicide together. “If two persons agree to commit suicide together,” he said, “and only one dies, then the survivor is guilty oT murder. This places the woman in a very serious position, ,and it will be necessary to adjourn the inquiry to enable her to attend.” BEREAVED WIFE’S STORY. Airs Alaud Hibbert, 17, King’s road, Kettering, widow of the dead man, said she had been married to him for twenty years, and had six children. “About 18 months ago my sister-in-law, Aland Hibbert, separated from her husband and came to live near us. My husband and this woman became unduly familiar, and tbe consequence was that my husband and I separated.”

John Brown Hibbert, engineer’s draughtsman, of 194, Mill road, Kettering, the dead man’s brother, eaid Maud Hibbert, the woman in hospital, was the wife of his youngest brother, Frederick Arthur Hibbert, who had begun divorce proceedings against her, citing the deceased as the co-respon-dent.

After evidence of the discovery by the landlady, the inquiry was adjourned.