EXTRAORDINARY DIVORCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 28 February 1901, Page 4

EXTRAORDINARY DIVORCE.

The pleadings began last month in San Francisco in the action brought by Countess Festitios for divorce. It is an extraordinary story. According to the statements of the Countess, she was taken on board her husband's yacht immediately cf ter her marriage, and was compelled to live a roving life at sea for five years, seldom setting foot on shore, until at last her husband abandoned her at Yokohama —ostensibly to go to Africa, Through Ivin'g together on the yacht, each, paid their own share of the expenses the Count insisting upon his wife supporting herself. _ He even went so far as to require that separate bills be rendered for all purchases, but ultimately consented to joint accounts. The Countess • produced one of these bills in court, her items being marked- with a tick and the Count's with a cross. At Honolulu the captain and crow deserted, and the Countess was compelled to act as sailing master. During these five miserable years, she had a hole 12ft square for a cabin, and only for a few months had a maid, who was engaged at Sydney, and left at Yokohama owing to the wretched life and accomodation on the yacht. The Countess states that her husband even made, her pay her own doctor's bills, and never provided her with a garment in his life. Once only did he make her a present, and that was of 29d0l one Christmas. Witnesses corrobated the evidence of the Countess. The court awaits the Count's depositions being giving judgment.