SEALED UP IN A CUPBOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3770, 5 September 1907, Page 4

SEALED UP IN A CUPBOARD.

How a Divorce Suit was Hastened. Divorce proceedings were pending between M. and Mine. X. (says the Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph). A preliminarj" decision of the courts has entitled the lady, first, to leave her husband’s abode, which she did, and, secondly, to secure whatever property might be hers in the flat which she shared with him and in which he continues to reside. A justice of the peace, with a clerk, accordingly called on the husband and affixed seals on the doors of all cupboards, chests of drawers, etc., which might contain properly belonging to his wife. The hus* baud during the proceedings displayed some nervousness and emotion, which appeared natural under the circumstances. Chests oi drawers full of bonnets and hanging cupboards full of dresses were sealed up in turn. The justice came to a large cupboard in the wall. The husband’s agitation increased. “ Must you seal that one up too?” he asked. The justice said it was his duty to do so, and placed the red seal which cannot be broken except on an order from the court under severe penalties. The husband looked more and more disturbed. The justice and his clerk, their charge fulfilled, were retiring. They were arrested on the threshold by muffled screams. “ L,et me out! I shall choke! I shall starve ! I shall die!” shrieked a soprano voice. No lady was to be seen in the flat. “ The voice appears to come from a cupboard,” said the justice. “It does,” the husband replied, looking shy. “ Let me out! I shall die !” the soprano voice continued. The husband pointed out which cupboard should be opened, and the justice broke the seals. There emerged a young person, ruffled, rosy, and agitated, but comely. The justice looked at her. “This,” he said, “ is clearly not properly covered by the meaning of the Act defining effects common to the two parties now applying for dissolution of their marriage.” The obvious conclusion was that the law did not require the young person to be sealed up again, and she was released. She explained that she had been calling on Monsieur X., when the justice arrived, and both had thought it better that she should secrete herself temporarily. But when the seals were put on the cupboard in which she had sought refuge she feared that she might have to remain there until the divorce proceedings terminated, and she screamed. Her evidence as a matter of fact, hastened the case considerably, and Madame X., has obtained a divorce without difficult)".