SEALED UP IN A CUPBOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 7 September 1907, Page 4

SEALED UP IN A CUPBOARD.

HOW A DiVOKCE SUIT WAS HASTENED. Divorce proceedings were pending between M. and -Mine. X (says the Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph). A preliminary decision of the courts had entitled the lady, firstly, to leave her husband's abode, which she did, and, secondly, to secure whatever property might be hers in the ihit which she shared with him ami in winch she continues to reside. A justice of the peace, with a clerk, accordingly called on the husband and affixed seals on the doors of all cupboards, chests of drawers, etc., which might contain property belonging to his wife. The husband during the proceedings displayed some nervousness and emotion, which appeared natural under the circumstances. Chests of drawers full of bonnets and hanging cupboards full of dresses were scaled up in turn. The justice came to a large cupboard in the wall. The husband's agitation increased. "Atust you seal that one up, loo?" he asked. "'The justice said it was his duly to do so, and placed the red seal which cannot bo broken except on an order from court, under severe penalties The husband looked more and more disturbed. The justice and his clerk, their charge fulfilled, were retiring. 'They were arrested on the threshold 'by muffled screams. "Let me out! I shall choke! I shall starve! I shall die!" shrieked a soprano voice. No lady was to be so™ in tile flat. "The voice appears to come from a cupboard," said the justice. "It does," the husband replied, looking shy. "Let me out! I shall die!" the soprano voice continued. The husband pointed out which cupboard should be opened, and the justice broke the seals. There emerged a young person, ruffled, rosy, and agitated, but comely. The justice looked at her. "This," he said, "is clearly not properly covered by any meaning of the Act defining effects common to the two parties now applying for dissolution of their marriage." The obvious conclusion was that the law did not require the young person to be sealed up again, and she was released. She explained that she had been calling on Monsieur X., when the justice arrived, and both had thought it Tjeltcr that ;she should secrete herself temporarily. Hut when the seals were put on the cupboard in which she had sought refnw slca feared that sli» might have to remain there until the divorce proceedings terminated, and she screamed. Her evidence, as a matter of fact, hastened the case considerably, and Madame X. lias obtained a divorce without difficulty.