MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A BRIDEGROOM.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3862, 3 December 1883, Page 4

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A BRIDEGROOM.

The axiom that "there's many a slip 'twixt the cup aud the lip," has just been exemplified at Gateshead by the strange and unexplained disappearance of a gentleman ou tho morning of the day which had been fixed for his marriage. It appears that some time ago a draper in Leeds and a lady occupying a good position in that town became engaged to be married. A short time

since tho lady took up her residence in Gateshead Avith some friends, it being arranged that the couple should bo united in that borough, and then return to their own house at Leeds. Tho intended husband arrived on Saturday, and Sunday was spent pleasantly and happily enough iv the society of tho large circle of friends and relatives who were jiroparing to assist at tho nuptial ceremony, Avhich Avas to liavo taken place at tho Durham Road Baptist Church and to have been performed by the Rev. A. F. Riloy, pastor. After breakfast on Monday morning, the bridegroom, accompanied by a friend, proceeded to Newcastle for the purpose of purchasing tho flowers aud fruit Avhich play such an important part on such, occasions. The gentleman avlio was to have been married parted with his friend near tho Cloth Market, it bo.mg arranged that they should each make purchases at different shops and meet again upon the same spot after the lapse of two or three minutes. Thcfriendroturnedto tho trystingplace at the appointed time, but Avas surprised to find no one there. At last coming l to the conclusion that he must have returned to Gateshead without him, tho friend retraced his slops thither only to find, however, that ho had not returned. The party waited for gome time iv suspense, tho lady being 1 painfully agitated, and the hour at which the marr'iago Avas fixed to tako place having passed, somo of the friends proceeded to church, and informed the minister, avlioavuh waiting, that his services would not be required, for the present at any rate. As a jnutter of fact, the bridegroom has not since

been seen or heard of. One surmise is that he may have capriciously returned to Leeds again, as a train left NeAVcastle for that pface about tho time Avhen he left his companion at tho Cloth Market. Nothing is really knoAvn of his Avhereabouts, however, and great anxiety is felt by all concerned. Incpiiries have been instituted in the usual quarters. ______