Wife’s Strange Sacrifice

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 666, 18 May 1929, Page 18

Wife’s Strange Sacrifice

Present as Witness at Husband’s Bigamous Wedding •-<►9

ITH almost feverish curiosity the people of New York State are awaiting the trial of one of the most remarkable bigamy cases in the history of the American Courts. Nor are the proceedings without interest to other parts of the world, inasmuch as a central figure in the case is English born and bred. The story promises to become an epic of wifely fidelity, for its principal feature is a woman's renunciation of her husband so that he might go to the waiting arms of a 19-year-old music pupil. This girl, it is alleged, he has bigomously and secretly married, with his wife and the mother of his three children as a willing witness of the ceremony. More amazing still is the suggestion that when the law stepped in and the husband was arrested, it was the -wife who raised £I,OOO necessary for his release pending the trial. It is in Long Island —not in Hollywood, as one might suspect—that the old drama of the eternal triangle in new trappings has been set out. Its principal actors are:—• Herbert Leigh-Manuell, the American husband of a pretty Englislrwoman of 33, and Martha Van Wyen, aged 19, w-hc, for three years was his pupil at the piano. As already stated, the most sensational feature of the affair is Mrs. Leigh-Manuell’s acquiescence in her husband’s romance with Miss Yan Wyen, when she discovered that it had gone so far. She even went to the length of attending the bigamous ceremony and signing the register as a witness. Then she set out to obtain £I,OOO bail for him, and took him back to their cottage home to await the ordeal of trial. In the meantime she has uttered loving words of affection in his defence, and spoken of him as tender and kind in all circumstances and at all times. “When a husband stops loving his wife, doesn’t that annul the marriage anyway?” she asks with calm philosophy. Mrs. Leigh-Manuell is a dark-eyed woman and mother of three fine children. Strangely, there is no indication of bitterness in the heart of this woman at the knowledge of her lost love. She has expressed herself as content quietly to slip out of her husband’s life, and even to work to keep the children she has borne him. In 1915 Leigh-Manuell took a trip to England for the first time, and chanced to meet his future wife, who was living at Wesley-Hale, Cornwall. They married and went out to the United States together, and settled down in the little village of Sayville, Long Island, with its large groupings of old Dutch families. There the man became organist to the Christian Reformed Church, and, to supplement his income, he took in music pupils. About three years ago Cornelius Van Wyen, a stalwart church-goer and fine type of Dutchman, sent his three daughters to the organist. The girls sang in the choir at the same church wherein Leigh-Manuell played the organ, and no thought of scandal ever entered the head of this devout old father. Martha Van Wyen was then 16, and a remarkably pretty girl. According to Leigh-Manuell’s own story, he at once fell in love with his pupil, and she with him. It was not long before his wife detected the infatuation and talked seriously to her husband about it. It was of no avail. Eventually the wife decided that she would divorce her husband, so that he could marry the younger girl, and then disappear out of his life for ever.

taking the children with her. The girl Martha was tearful, however. Jest when the husband was divorced, he might not feel the same toward her In order to

“Set Her Mind At Rest,” as her lover declared, it was agreed by all three that the already married husband should go through a form of marriage with the girl. His own wife was to be the w itness. Thus, one day the trio set out for New York, and at the Marble Collegiate Church this amazing bigamous marriage took place. The “bride” returned to her home the same night. Soon the ‘•marriage” was discovered. and Leigh-Manuell arrested and taken to Riverhead Gaol. When his wife had secured the necessary bail. LeighManuell returned to their joint home, hut made it clear that this was simply a temporary arrangement, and that as soon as permissible he would join his youthful sweetheart. That was in October last, and since that time neighbours relate how. throughout the nights. Leigh-Manuell has kept a light burning continually, in the hope that it would guide the steps of Martha to the cottage where he awaits her. His one-day “bride,” however, has been very ill. The shock of discovery proved too much for her. Her father, too. stern and unyielding, has insisted that she shall remain at home, and the girl, in defiance, has gone on hunger-strike, hoping thereby to force her family to recognise the organist as her husband. Naturally, considerable scandal followed the arrest of Leigh-Mauuell, and the case of the girl has been considered by the consistory of the Church to which she belonged. She has been given a minor excommunication, which means an opportunity to repent her association with the organist. If she does not disavow him, Martha will be adjudged guilty of misconduct even though she has never been alone with her husband of a day. The husband reiterates his declaration that he will go to his love at the earliest possible moment. “Even if I so to gaol for five vears or more,” he stated, "Martha can be sure that I will be hers if she will wait for me.” The girl has answered: ‘‘l will wait for Herbert till the end of time.” “I want it clearly understood.” protested Leigh-Manuell. “that 1 had no intention of beating the law when I married Martha. My only reason for marrying before my divorce was to protect her and give her peace of mind. She said that she'd feel happier if we went through a ceremony first.’ He then went on to say: “I am very much in love with Martha, also love and respect Ethel and my children I have done nothing that any other man wouldn’t do and

I Have No Excuses To Offer. My w-ife knew of my love for Martha, and what X did had her sanction and approval. There is a very sound reason behind our apparently insane action, and when it is made known no one will blame me.’ Not less amazing are the utterances of Mrs. Leigh-Manuel. To the question. “Why did you help your husband to get married to another woman” s be at once replied with dignity: wnyi Because I love him. He was so kind, so considerate always, so good to me. I am only trying to repay him for that kindness by making him comfortable after his night in gaol. I know the neighbours are saying that there something more sinister behind it, that he’s inspired by the devil and has hvpnotised Martha and roe. But that is not true. It seemed the only thing to do at the time, but now I see cur mistake.”