STRANGERS AT THE ALTAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 14 August 1907, Page 4

STRANGERS AT THE ALTAR.

AMAZIXG ROMAXCE OF REAL LIFE. WEDDING-DAY I'AUTiXGS. A romance of roiil life, unsurpassed by the most improbable of sensational novels, wus revealed in the law courts in London last month. It was stated by -Mrs Ada Olivia Sophia Brine, who claimed i(>B4 from her husband, Mr Harry Urine, of East Cowes. Mrs Urine's extraordinary story may be summarised as follows: She married a man in order to oblige her brother, with whom she was in love. She never met the bridegroom before her wedding-day, and they parted immediately after the ceremony. Through the medium of an advertisement she met Mr Urine, who arranged a divorce ami married her. She was imprisoned by him in a house, cruelly treated, anil made to sign cheques, but she escaped.

Mr R. J. Willis, for the lady, stated that she first married a Mr Cramptoii, who left her money. In addition to this, she had €2(1(1 or £3OO a year under the will of her father, Mr Cams Wilsou.

Her second husband was a Mr Witt, but there were divorce proceedings. Mr Urine, who had been a trustee of her settlement, being the co-respondent. Mrs Brine, who is an elderly Irish woman, said she was divorced from Mr Witt in 1!>03. They parted on the day they were married, and she never lived with him.

She, met Mr Brine after seeing an advertisement in a Sunday newspaper, she continued. He found out that she had not lived with Mr Witt, and said he could "get her Out of it" if Mr Witt were paid. A divorce was "worked up" by Mr Brine, Mr Witt accepting a large sum, and handing her over. She also paid the expenses of Air Witt's petition. "He ill-treated me, kept me locked up, ami forced me to sign cheques, but I escaped with one of his daughters," she added.

Cross-examined by Mr Bower, K.C., she said she started the matrimonial correspondence "for fun." "Why did you marry Mr Witt?" she was asked. ".Must I really say that?" the lady pleaded. "Well," said Mr Bower, "I suppose you married him because you loved him?"—"[ never met him before In my life," was the surprising reply. "I never heard such a thing in my life," exclaimed Mr Bower, and Mrs Brine explained amid roars of laughter, "I knew the family well, and I loved his brother, Francis Witt. It was for the sake of the brother that 1 married into the family." Mr Bower then questioned Mrs Brine with regard to her relations with her husband. "Is this your diary?" he asked, holding up a book.—"Yes," she answered dramatically. "What a mean thing it is to take a woman's diary. 1 lost )t for years, and here it is."

Counsel then read the following extracts: —

"B. and I are inseparable. The t'.vo of us wandered away to seaward. Found anook, where we reeled till sundown and after. The hush of peace was over land and sea "Sabbath. B. took a little boat round to C 's farm. We alighted, and spent the time in search of stars. "My lover and 1 went out. He brought me a melon and a bottle of ale. .Our hearts are inseparably fixed." "Our courtship was very sweet," said Mrs Urine. "It was when he was my husband that he became a devil."

Mr Brine denied his wife's allegations, and said he had spent the money in icleordanee with her instructions.

i Judgment was given for Mr Brine With costs.