AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 453, 11 March 1909, Page 3

AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE.

_ The of the Civil Court in Berlin to grant a divorce to the Baroness von Eckhardstun puts an end to the story of one or tho most, unhappy of all those international marriages in which great wealth has been united to aristocratic poverty The Baroness von Eckhardstcin was the only daughter of the lato Sir John Maple, head ot the well-known London business, and her husband was councillor and first secretary to tho German Embassy in London, holdiu" besides a very high social position in Ger° many. lion as at one time indeed appointed temporarily to take the position of tiie Uerman Ambassador in London. He had no money of his own, and was dependent on his mother When he first met Sir John iUaple s only child and heiress she was a charming girl ot eighteen, and he was thirty or more Ho protessod great admiration for nor and gained such an influence over her that altnough tho father disapproved of tho match he had to give way, and thirteen years ago the marriage took place. It was almost trom the first a tragedy for the young wife, who adored her husband. From neglect tho baron proceeded to ill-treatment, and all the time he was making great inroads upon his wile s fortune, says an English paper. The mroness was of an exceedingly nervous temperament, and of tin's fact her husband took advantage, l'rom 1003 to 190G, by violent anguage, threats of suicide, and throats to eavc her, hei succeeded in extorting from her nearly £200,000. It was not, however, until she was convinced of his infidelity that tho Baroness took proceedings against him, and at first she was only able to obtain a judicial separation from the English Courts, on which they had no jurisdiction to grant a dissolution of marriage. It will be a satisfaction to many people who have followed | the Englishwoman's affairs with interest to learn that at last this, divorce has been granted by a German .Court.