ROMANTIC ELOPEMENT IN HIGH LIFE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1683, 7 January 1888, Page 3

ROMANTIC ELOPEMENT IN HIGH LIFE.

“A romantic elopement has just occurred,” says the Birmingham Daily Post, “in connection with one of the oldest aristocratic in the kingdom. The chief actor is a highspirited youth, whose age is given as not more than seventeen, and who is the only son and heir of one of the county families of East Worcestershire, and whose name occurs in the Domesday Book. The father of the youth is a retired captain of Dragoons, and his mother is of a distinguished Scotch family, a member of which, for. his services in the Indian Mutiny, was raised to the House of Peers. Three months ago the young heir was introduced, at the close of a boating excursion, by the Private Secretary of his father, to a barmaid, aged between twenty-one aild twenty-two, at a wine and spirit vault in Stourbridge, whom the Secretary pronounced * the prettiest girl in the land.’ It was an affair of * love at first sight,’ and the young fellow declared he would never marry anyone else. A friendship sprang up, and family entreaties and threats were alike in vain, The young man declared that if his wishes were thwarted he would end his life with a revolver. At this time he was on a vacation from his college at Cirencester. The family communicated with the detective police of Birmingham, and for weeks past private detectives have watched the barmaid’s movements almost night and day. She is the daughter of a poulterer living in Wolverhampton. Detectives, solicitors, and clergymen have also visited the girl’s home, on behalf of the family, to try to obtain information of the heir’s whereabouts, for it was discovered he had run away from college. Very little information was, however, forthcoming, and though one interview was secured at the hotel between the young man and his mother, the only result was his declaration that if he were taken by force he would be taken home on a stretcher. Authentic news was received that the couple had eloped, and been married at, it is believed, a country church near Liverpool. The bride has herself communicated this information, and has asked for forgiveaeos. The young heir’s family are naturally greatly concerned. The young fellow has, during the latter part of the proceedings, backed up his independence by putting forward ‘ his solicitor ’ when it has been threatened by his family. An attempt to secure a special license only a few days before the successful elopement was frustrated by the Registrar happening to possess private information, of how the matter stood, In his second attempt, however, he seems to have been more fortunate. Some doubt at present exists whether the ceremony took place at a Registrar’s office or at a church. The elopement is being much discussed in hunting circles, the heir’s family being accustomed frequently to figure at meats.”