PATHETIC WAR TRAGEDY

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 311, 9 October 1915, Page 8

PATHETIC WAR TRAGEDY

Few cf the humbler tragedies of the war are more poignant than one associated with (he less 01 H.M. destroyer Lynx, which was su.uc in an. eng'Gcement in the North Sea la; i month. It i. 3 a p'tiful little story of a disappointed bride. Arthur Steiftens, a popular young stoker on the destrcjyer, was engaged to a ycung woman at New Maiden, Surrey. Stephens, whose parents live at New Ma I 'den, had attended school as a fcoiy with the little ma,ld who afterwards became his sweetheart. ■ The wedding was Pxed far August 7, 'at the New Maiden Park!h Church; the banng had been called, the carriages ordered, the girl had received her bridal dress, and the wedding cake had been delivered at the bride's homo. Th e day came, and the marriage-|hour (2 p.m.) drew near. But no bridegroom came. Stephens was on his ship ill ilip >-firth Sea, and it was his intention to get leave and arrive at his home in the morning. Shortly before the time for t|he ceremony the bride received a telegram dispatched on behaCf of her lover. It ran: "Expect me any dajy s oon." Apparently Stephens was unable to get leave of absence on the day intended. But Sunday brought no bridegroom. Monday and Tuesday dawned, and still there was no news of him. On Wednesday morning a table in the waiting girl's heme was again arranged for the br'.dal breakfast. At this table, wit|h th e weddinjgcake still in its place of honour, and with one of the bridesmaids actually in the house, the waiting girl read in the papers that the Lynx had struck a mine and was lost. And her lover's ' name was not in the list of saved.