THE MYSTERY BRIDE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18768, 23 January 1923, Page 4

THE MYSTERY BRIDE

AX AMAZIXG IXCJDENT. To the amazement of the guests assembled for the, wedding of Canon 11. Honglas-Harail-ton and the Hon. Kosamqmi Bateman Hanbury, at the Church of the Annunciation, in Bryanston street, London, a mystery “bride" dressed in silver brocade, arrived at the church. Sho had a silver lace, cloak bordered with mauvo chiffon, and a long tullo veil hanging from a wreath of silver leaves. Sho appeared to be very much distressed on hearing that the wedding ceremony had begun. The mystery “bride" refused to enter .the church, saying that sho was too late, and finally drove away in a taxi. What mokes her appearance additionally remarkable is the fact th&t she has been seen at another London church, and on that ■ occasion also she arrived just after the service had started. ■ A taxi-cab driver staled that he v.-as engaged l)y a woman in Sloano street. She was then wearing ordinary morning dress, but told him to drive to Wel.bcrby Mansions, and wait while she. changed her clothes. He did so, and in a few minutes she appeared in her bridal array end lold him to take her .to the chnreli in Bryanston street. The mystery “bride” proved to bo Mias Cobhptt.-Winder, a church worker at St. Philip’s Church, Kensington, who was on a visit to Lady Mary Leslie at. Wetherby Mansions, Bari's Court. She is. a deeply religious and wcll-conncctcd woman, whoso devotion to the church is one of hoi-.-chief, interests, in life, . A regular attendant a). .Sunday and week-day services at hit. Philip's Church, sho also assisted the work of the Girls’ Friendly Society at the church. To a reporter Miss Cobbott-Windcr was unbalo to explain her strange ' action. “I cannot tell you why 1 drove up to the church. All I can say is that it was a mistake. It was. certainly not intended as a joke. I should he the last person to play a joke of that. kind. I had the intention of going to ace the wedding, but what prompted me to go as I did I cannot tell yon. J am not related in any way to cither- .bride or bridegroom.’.’ Lady Leslie could throw little light on her guest's conduct. “Miss Winder has been, staving with me for about six weeks,” she explained. “I know, Loth from her actions nncl from what she has told me, that ehe is very anxious to get married, spd I believe sho has taken a, step such as. this at another church, in (ho hope that she will he married there. I know of no worry or blighted romance which can account for., this." .