A BROKEN ROMANCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 121, 27 June 1914, Page 3

A BROKEN ROMANCE.

£IOO DAMAGES AFTER SEVEN YEARS' ENGAGEMENT.

Letters from all over Europe -were read in the London Sheriffs' Court recently during the hearing of a breach of promise suit brought by a pretty Oxfordshire young- lady against an accountant. employed by Messrs Cook and bon, Mr J. Thomas Bew.

The plaintiff was Miss Lucy White, of Witney, and she was eventually awarded £IOO damages. Mr Edgar Dale, for the plaintiff, said the parties had-been engaged for seven years. They met each other as boy and girl fourteen years ago, and corresponded. Later on the friendship deepened, and in November, 1906, the defendant wrote to "My dearest Cissie," saying:— "I am ; quite satisfied. -All I have to say is-.-' Be mine always.' . ; . Send .me the size of your ■ fingerj r ;a;nd try and lit it by Christmasi ": . i In 1907 defendant- went to Lucerne :oti business, where the lady visited him. The appointment he hoped for, however, did not materialise, and she returned to England. About the end of 3912 the letters of affection from the defendant became fewer. Plaintiff suggested "another girl, " but this was indignantly denied. In April, 1913, however, defendant wrote from Montreaux: —

This letter will be, no doubt, very painful to you, but it should have been written long ago. . . . One cannot learn to love. If you think I have an affection for someone else you would not be exactly wrong, -but don't think it is solely 011 that account I write to you, because that person is. ignorant of your existence. I feel I must at least say what I think, and have done with mockery. . . . I shiver when I think of entering an unhappy marriage, which I firmly belieye our union would be. . . . One cannot buy or cultivate happiness, but misery is easily found. My friendship with the girl mentioned makes me write you as I do, because I feel that it is only right to do so. Do not think I write because I intend to make her my fiancee. Such a thing is unfortunately impossible on both our sides, and very soon she will most probably pass from my life, which has been much better and enlightened bv her acquaintance. Counsel added that the defendant married very shortly afterwards. Plaintiff, giving evidence, said the only reason why they did not get married during her visit to Lucerne was that defendant did not get the appointment he expected from Cook's. Defendant was now in Reme. *