GIANT IN LOVE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8823, 27 May 1907, Page 4

GIANT IN LOVE.

All the elements of real romance are wrapped up in tlio story of the love of Mr Olive Darril, an Australian giant, for Miss Mariedl, a Tryoleau giantress, and one of the tallest ladies who have ever appeared in Loudon. The lady stands ' Bft. 3iu. high, is 23 years of age, and of passably good looks. Mr Darril is the sou of a wealthy Australian fanner, hailing from Wagga Wagga, in Now South Wales, lie is 24 years of age, and is no less than Bft. Biu. high in his boots, and broad in proportion. • Up to a f®w mouths ago he never set foot outside his native wilds, but his father having died and left him a comfortable competence, ho determined to leave Australia for a short time and “do” Europe. Arriving at Vienna in January, he first saw Miss Mariedl performing at one of the theatres there. Mr Darril had previously expressed his intention of discovering, if possible, a lady of about his own size and build with a view to offering her marriage. Immediately he set eyes on the tall Mariedl the Australian determined that he would wed her if the lady should be agreeable. ‘ This is the woman,” ho declared, “that. I have been looking for. My ambition is to rear a race of giants for posterity to woml er at and admire. ’ ’ But between the swain and the object of his affections stood the lady’s manager, who was adamant to all appeals for an introduction. Darril bombarded her with bouquets and bonbons, and sat in the stalls every night at the theatre. But lie got no nearer the accomplishment of his heart’s desire. Suddenly the lady disappeared. After much difficulty ho traced her to Berlin. In the' German capital no better luck awaitec the earnest lover. She appeared at another theatre, and despite appeals to her manager and letters addressed to the lady herself, Mr Darril failed to advance his suit. At the termination of the Berlin engagement, the young Australian discovered that Miss Mariedl’s destination-was Loudon, but it was not until she was announced as appearing at the Hippodrome tha t lie got the clue as to her actual whereabouts. At every performance one week Mr Darril occupied a seat in the stalls. He renewed his appeals to the manager of the fair object of his love, aud sent her letters, but without avail. A dramatic climax came on March 21. Mr Darril, standing up in the stalls, addressed the object of his affections on the stage. The audience listened opeumouthed aud it was soon evident that their sympathies were with the giant Australian. Whether the lady on the stage understood the full trend of Mr Darril’s declaration of love is an open question, seeing that she does not speak his language. The officials requested Mr Darril to desist, and he left the theatre. He was again present at night, aud the afternoon scones wore repeated. Then he went round to the stage door in an endeavour to have a personal interview with the lady, bv t he was ordered away, aud the police were called to keep out the love-sick giant. As a result of this Mr Darril has been refused admission by the Hippodrome management. But Mr Darril comes of good colonial stock, aud is not easily beaten. He had learned that by the terms of Miss Mariecll’s contract she must be taken, out of town every Sunday, aud he determined to follow her.

Therefore, wlien one Sunday the giantess drove down to Surrey, the Cornstalk followed in ,a motor car, and overtook her at Guildford, where, in the Angel Hotel, he was introduced, despite opposition from the lady’s manager. Surrounded by their friends, the couple tool!; lunch together, and Mr Darril seized the opportunity to advance his suit. Tiie manager ultimately relented so far as to consent to write to Mariedl’s parents and ask whether they would permit the young couple to become engaged. Another chapter in this romance of the giants was unfolded a few days later at Marlborough street Police Court, when Mr Darril applied for a summons against Mr Tins sel, of the Hippodrome, for assault. Mr Darril was accompned by his secretary,' who made the appliction, and, in answer to a question as to what the assault was, said that when Mr Darril and lie went to the Hippodrome with tickets, for which they had paid £2, they were refused admission and assaulted by Mr Trussed. There had been no dispute between them and thej 'management.

Mr Deumau thought there must be some cause for such conduct, and after a little judicious hesitation the applicant told the story of Mr Darril’s infatuation L for Miss Mariedl.

Mr Denman: You were not hurt in any way?—No; tho giant might have hurt him; ho could have knocked him ten yards away. My new stick was broken, and my hat was broken. (To the giant): Your hat was knocked off.

Mr Deumau: You are quite sure he has not been requested not to go there?—Quite sure. Mi Denman: Take a summons. The App’icaut: 1 am very much obliged to you, sir.