A Theatrical Elopement.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 218, 9 August 1884, Page 2

A Theatrical Elopement.

[By Tklegkapb:.] (Post Correspondent.) DutfEDitf, August 7. The parties to a theatrical scandal, which has transpired, are Mrs Jame? South, nee Edith Pender, and Harcourt Lee, the well-known piauist, The husband of the former has just re turned to Melbourne to play Captain Corcoran with the Emilie Melville Opera Company. On the evening ol 19th July, Mrs South pleaded illness, and was unable to accompany hei husband to the theatre. The latter on returning to his hole], was tolc his wife had left the place with most of his wardrobe and other property On the dressing-table was the follow ing note: — "Dear Jim, I'm off After what has happened between Lee and myself I cannot live with you any longer. Good-bye; good luok. - Edith." Some little time before his suspicions had been aroused by receipt of the following anonymous letter : - " Dear South— Ton will be surprised to receive this letter from a person unknown, but I am a brother actor. Lee is too friendly with your wife. I was one of the company and saw for myself. They are now pre paring to leave for San Francisco as soon as the present engagement is up. The best thing you oan do is to give Lee a good horsewhipping. He is a great coward. I don't care for my name to be mixed up m the affair, as I may have to travel m the same company again as Lee, or I would speak myself to you. F hope to hear of Lee getting it hot from you. Signed, ' Myself a husband.'" Previous* to this South had taxed his wife with infidelity, but she indig nantly denied it. and had also written to Lee, who replied stating he had merely advanced Mrs South the passage money to America, where she was to accompany the Turners, He refused the injured husband an interview, because, the latter had threatened his life. Lee, m turn, threatened to take proceedings against South. The latter endeavoured -16 trace. the whereabouts of the pair, and only got on their trail m time to see them steaming down the Yavra on board the Waihora. He was advised that he could not put the law m motion as he whs unable to prove that Lee had pretended any owuership over the articles taken away. The pair are believed to be either m < •hristqh.nvch. or Dunedin, waiting a. chance of pi'Qcee^ing to America. Soi\th made his first appearance on the stage m Dunedin, as a member of Olaranco Holt's, Company aud he married Hiss Bender at TownsviHe, m October, 1880, and the pair has since travelled through Australia at the head of an Opera Company, Tho Souths, are well known to the profession m this oolony.