AN AUSTRALIAN ROMANCE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2434, 6 January 1881, Page 4

AN AUSTRALIAN ROMANCE.

The wildest dreams of fiction are sometimes eclipsed by the humble tales of everyday life. On Saturday last there died in the hospital a gentleman who for many years has carried on business in Ballarat as an engineer, and who possessed the esteem and respect of those who knew him. Fifteen years or more ago in the Mother Country, this gentleman lived, loved, and married. Circumstances, however, arose of a peculiar character and he decided to leave his home. His wife lay ill, and on entering her room, he informed her lie was going away, and that she would find money sufficient for her requirements in the house. She, used to his leaving home occasionally on business purposes, thought nothing of the fact until the lapse of time showed that he had left her altogether. Years rolled on, and the deserted wife heard nothing from her wandering husband, although she endeavored to obtain tidings as to his whereabouts. As a last resource she communicated with the Society of Engineers, and heard that a person of the name inquired for dwelt at Ballan, in Australia. The faithful wife resolved to search in the other hemisphere for her absent spouse. She was the daughter of a clergyman and accomplished, and after her husband left her earned her living as a governess. Abandoning home she sailed for Melbourne, passing as a widow, and not communicating to anyone her mission. On the vessel was a gentleman from Beaufort, also an engineer, and his wife, from whom the lady discovered that an engineer of the same name ns herself resided at Ballarat. Arriving in Melbourne just a few days ago, she made her way to this city on Friday. Stepping out of the train she engaged a cab to take her luggage to an an hotel, the cabman recommending Mr Brophy’s. On the way there, with the ruling passion to gain information of her long lost husband strong within her, she made inquiries from the driver as to whether he knew anyone of the name and occupation described. “ Yes, he knew the gentlemen well, and he was then at the hospital seriously ill.” Not much time elapsed before the lady arrived at the hospital lodge to seek an interview with the patient and discover whether he was, indeed, her husband. A bouquet, with a note addressed Mr , stood in the room, and she gained permission to take it up, and for the first time after over fifteen years wife and husband met—the latter on his death-bed. An exclamation of surprise burst from him, but what further was said after this eventful meeting need not be told. That night the husband died, and the wife who had so long assumed the character of widow became one in reality, and on Monday she stood at the side of her husband’s grave, IG,OOO miles from the spot where nearly a score of years before she had vowed to “ love, honor, and obey ” him. Although a stranger in a strange land, and not possessed of much means, it is satisfactory to find that the wife was remembered by her dying husband. Some time since he had executed a will, leaving the property to her father in England ; but whilst in the hospital he gave instructions for a second will, devising all to his wife. This had been drawn and carried to the hospital by the clerk of a well-known firm of solicitors, but the patient was sleeping, and could not be disturbed. The execution of the will was postponed, but in the meantime the patient died, and the original will stands in full force and effect. It is likely, however, that the executors will see their way clear to carry out their trust that the lady shall receive the property intended for her. Such are the circumstances narrated to us, plainly stated, and it must be admitted that fiction has seldom told a stranger tale.—“ Ballarat Star,” Dec. 25.