QUEER WILL ROMANCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5228, 18 January 1928, Page 3

QUEER WILL ROMANCE.

FORTUNE TO CHANCE FRIEND.

BENEFICIARY DIES FIRST.

Fate played an unkind trick in an extraordinary romance concerning a fortune of £20,000 left by an eccentric woman recluse who died under pathetic circumstances. It was revealed in her will that the money had been left to a well-known actress, who, however, never lived to enjoy it, her death occurring two years prior to that of her benefactress.

The £20,000 belonged to; the estate of Miss Emily Hughes, aged 65, who was found dying recently in her lonely barricaded cottage on the; outskirts of Copkham Dean, pear Maidenhead, where, she had lived for 25 years. Notwithstanding her strange mode of life Miss Hughes was known to be wealthy, but for some time, after hqr death no will could be found. It wa& only after prolonged search that the document ,was traced.

It was then shown that Miss Hughes had left practically her entire fortune to Miss Grace Warnler, the actress, who died two years, ago. Miss Warner was the daughter of the late Mr Charles Warner, who was familiar to thousands of theatregoers in his part of Coupean in “Drink.” In her day she was .well known in London and the provinces. In 1898 she married Mr Franklin M‘Leay, an actor, who died in the following year, there being no children.

The acquaintanceship that existed between the recluse and the actress began most romantically. Sixteen years ago Miss Warner appeared with a touring company at Windsor. In the audience was Miss Hughes, who was so struck by her acting that she secured an introduction, and the pair for a time were fast friends. A FAST FRIENDSHIP. . For a long time, the two women met and corresponded with each other, but about seven years, ago letters and visits ceased and there, was no further intercourse. Miss Warner retired fro.m the stage in 1920, after touring with “Tilly of Bloomsbury,” ■ weiut to live at Southend, and died there in 1925. Miss 'Hughes, ignorant of her death, made Miss Warner the sole beneficiary under her will. Miss; Hughes, who was 65, was both feared foil’ her unusual habits and loved for her generous impulses. For over 20 years she occupied the cottage, and at first she kept servants and was frequently seen driving about in a pony trap. Miss Hughes was wont to declare that the coming of the motor-car had driven her off the rdads, and since the war she had led the life of a recluse. She surrounded her house with a thick hedge to escape observation, and shuttered the, windows with straw and sacking. She would allow no one to enter the dilapidated grounds, and children who ventured ne;ar were chased away with a riding, whip.

Whenever Miss, Hughes walked abroad she wore men’s clothes, sometimes trousers and an old coat, and sometimes riding breeches and leggings. Occasionally shej sported a piece of sacking with a hole for lier head. She rarely left the house, and then it was usually after dark. During this queer life of exclusiveness shq was always willing to help the poprf

REFUSED ADMITTANCE AT HOTEL

Soon after her father’s death Miss Hughes went to London 'in male attire to see her father’s solicitor respecting the will. Wishing to stay the night in the metropolis, shey went to a large and expensive hotel, but was admittance on account of her dress. Last September she was found lying ill in; her home;—not starving, but in a neglected: state—and the house, was overrun by cats and rabbits. Miss Hughes was. : removed to a nursing home, where she died a few days later.

. The, fortune of £20,000 left to the deceased actress is to be the subject of an application for letters of administration by Miss Hughes’ spilicitors. will be made on behalf of distant relatives who have been traced. Through the death ofi Miss Warner the will is inoperative and a state of intestacy is created.