WEDDING PRESENT TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8189, 24 July 1906, Page 3

WEDDING PRESENT TRAGEDY.

DEATH-BED MARRIAGE, A death-bed marriage servioe was -celebrated in the accident ward of the Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia, on May 19th, in peculiarly circumstances. The young bride, whose dying gasps spoke the marriage vow, was Bessie Regent, and the young man to whom she consecrated the few remaining hours of her life was Davis J. Ooldren, by whose hand fate had uut the young life short. Saturday wbb the appointed wedding day, and the young couple with relatives were preparing a room for the ceremony and unpacking some wedding presents which had arrived late. Among them was a revolver .from one of the bridegroom's friends. "Here, Bessie," said the bridegroom, "put this thing away somewhere safe." He took it from the box aad she reached out ber hand for it. There was an explosion, and the girl fell screaming. She was hurried to the hospital, where the wound was pronounced mortal. When told of the seriousness of her condition she said, "Send for Dave: 1 want to be married before I die." The priest telephoned for a police man, who, guarding the sobbing bridegroom pendiug tho enquiry, officiated as best man. The ceremony was hurriedly performed. "He did not mean it. It wss an accident. Do not let them ariesfc him," the girl managed to say before she fell back unconscious Nevertheless at the conclusion of the ceremony the youue; husband was taken to prison.