THE MYSTERY BRIDE

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 21

THE MYSTERY BRIDE

4? . ♦ K AN AMAZING INCIDENT. To the amazement of the guests assembled for the wedding of Canon H. Douglas-Hamil-ton and the Hon. Rosamond Bateman Hanbury, at the Church of the Annunciation, in Bryanston street, London, a mystery “bride” dressed in silver brocade, arrived at the church. She had a silver lace cloak bordered with mauve chiffon, and a long tulle veil hanging from a wreath of silver leaves. She appeared to be very much distressed on hearing that the wedding ceremony had begun. The mystery “bride” refused to enter the church, saying that she was too late, and finally drove away in a taxi. What makes her appearance additionally remarkable is the fact that 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 stated that he was engaged by a woman in Sloane street. She was then wearing ordinary morning dress, but told him to drive to Wetlierby Mansions, and wait while she changed her clothes. He did so, and in a few minutes she appeared in her bridal array and told him to take her to the church in Bryanston street. The mystery “bride” proved to be Miss Oobbett-Winder,, a church worker at St. Philip’s Church, Kensington, who was on a visit to Lady Mary Leslie at Wetherby Mansions, Earl’s Court. She is a deeply religious and well-connected woman, whose devotion to the church is one of her chief interests in life. A regular attendant at Sunday and week-day services at St. Philip's Church, she also assisted the work of the Girls’ Friendly Society at the church. To a reporter Miss Cobbett-Winder was unbale to explain her strange action. “I cannot tell you why I 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 be the last person to play a joke of that kind. I had the intention of going to see the wedding, but what prompted me to go as I did I cannot tell you. I am not related in any way to either bride or bridegroom.” Lady Leslie oould throw little light on her guest's conduct. “Miss Winder has been staying with me for about six weeks,” she explained. “I know, both from her actions and from what she has told me, that she is very anxious to get mai-ried, and I believe she has taken a step such as thi3 at another church, in the hope that she will be married there. I know of no worry or blighted romance which can account for this.”