WIFE FOR FIVE DAYS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20222, 7 October 1927, Page 7

WIFE FOR FIVE DAYS.

A PATHETIC MARRIAGE. DEATH-BED CEREMONY. BOY AND GIRL LOVERS. Pathos is blended with tragedy in a story associated with Bart’s Hospital, says a London paper. Knowing that he oould not recover from an attack of pneumonia, George Edward Hart, aged 24, confided to the Rev. J. L. Douglas, the chaplain, that he had a sweetheart, whom ho ardently desired to marry before he passed away. The girl was Miss Rebecca Talbot, an orphan, 21 years of age. The young couple had been lovers practically from childhood, and had arranged to marry at tho end of this month, 'the ceremony would have taken place before, but Hart was out of work for some t ine and only recently found employment as a plcater. Girl friends had boon invited to bo bridesmaids at the wedding and the bride had prepared her outfit. Then tho hand of fato was laid heavily on the young shoulders. Hart was stricken with pneumonia, which made such serious inroads upon his enfeebled constitution that it was recognised when ho reached Bart’s Hospital that his time on earth was short. Then it was that ho sought the advice of tho chaplain as to the moans by which ho could make Miss Talbot his wife. First tho authorities of Somerset House wore approached, hut they could only give information as to tho formalities to bo complied with. The Bishop of London was consulted, but ho, too, was powerless. Tho only person who could facilitate matters was tho Archbishop ofi Canterbury, and archbishops are not tho most accessible of people in an emergency. However, Dr Davidson was approached, and, having hoard tho pathetic story, ho not only granted a special license, but remitted tho fee of £2O. It was necessary • to raise £5 for the stamp fee, but I His amount was quickly contributed by the matron and nurses. Tho wedding ring was purchased, and the bride and, bridegroom’s mother, with the. license in their possession, wont to the hospital in the early evening. At 6 o’clock the ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. L. Douglas, in the presence of a small party of the hospital staff, screens being drawn around the dying man’s bed. His follow patients in the ward could not hoar his responses, so weak was his condition, and at times the clergyman had to bend over him to catch his words. . . , At tho conclusion of tho service the dying husband sank hack on his pillow exhausted, faintly murmuring as ho clasped his bride's hand, “ Thank God you are my wife.” ■ Tho young bridegroom lived only five days, and his wife and mother took turns in watching at his bedside.