Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
4 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
LADY STATED TO BE HURLED INTO…
LADY STATED TO BE HURLED INTO THE SEA. IS IT A TRAGEDY? TI-IE illYSTERY DEEPENS. RELATIVES' REMARKABLE SILENCE. ,) Great sensation was created on Sunday morning in this neighbourhood by the report that a motor-car accident of a singular kind had taken place about nine o'clock on Saturday night in the urban district of Penmaenmawr) on the Pen- 4 maenbach point. Two ladies, daughters of Mrs Charlesworth, of Boderw, St. Asaph, were returning to St. Asaph from the direction of Bangor. The younger Miss Charlesworth was steering', and the chauffeur sat beside her, whilst her sister sat behind. The oar is a large one, and was seen to pass through Penmaenmawr About the time stated. The part of the main road along the coast where it came to grief is about 50 yards on the Conway side of Penmaenbach point, where there is a jagged piece of rock prejecting upwards a considerable height between the road and the precipice, and known locally as "The Devil's Thumb." The road dips downwards on the Conway side of this rook, but not at all steeply. What hap- pened to cause the accident is not known, but for some reason Miss Charlesworth lost control of the machine, which swerv- ed suddenly to the left, dashed towards a narrow opening in the boundary wall, knocked part of the wall down, jumped through the gap, and came to rest, within about 18 inches of the edge of the cliff. Just here there is a kind of natural recess between the rocks, and the wall through which the motor burst its way is intend- ed for the protection of vehicles and foot passengers using the road. There is a right of way down to the beach, though the climb down to the shore is a rather hazardous one, and the gap in the wall is to give access to the top of the cliff and to the declivity. The rock and the face of the descent is much serrated at this point. The younger Miss Charlesworth was thrown from her position at the wheel, through the glass screen at the front of the car, it is believed, and over the edge of the cliff. No doubt in falling down the cliff she would be stunned and much in- jured, but, in any case, her body rolled or dropped a distance of 60 feet into the sea, the tide being at the flood at the time, and was carried away, her hat only being afterwards found. The elder Miss Charlesworth was not thrown out of the car, and only sustained a severe shock. The chauffeur was thrown from his seat and fell on to the rock, narrowing escap- ing his mistress's fate. He was badly bruised, and rendered for the time quite helpless. By some means tidings of the accident reached the occupants of some cotta.ges half-a-mile nearer Conway, at the end of the Morfa, and messages were sent to Pen- maenmawr and to Conway for assistance. Superintendent Rees, of Conway, obtained a carraige, and drove as fast as possible to Penmaenbach, accompanied by Sergt. Evans and a constable. When they arrived the elder Miss Charlesworth and the chauffeur had been laid on the ground and given such attention as was possible. Very shortly afterwards Mr R. J. Hughes, surveyor to the Urban District Council of Penmaenmawr, arrived, with Dr. Roberts and a constable. Under the care of Dr. Roberts the lady and the driver were taken in a carriage to Penmaenmawr and given n.Lo the charge of a nurse at Gwynfa, a boarding-residence n that town. Superirstenden; Rees, Mr R. J. Hughes, Dr. J. R. V." Mums, Penmaen- mawr, and a large number of volunteers proceeded to search the beach for the body of the other lady. The tide had by this time fallen, and it was possible to walk round the point on the sands. There was brilliant moonlight, by the aid of which every likely spot wa.s visited, but the body could no: be found. The moon was shining brightly also at the time of the accident, which adds to the mystery of its occurrence. Strangely enough, the car was but little damaged. It was got out of the small re- cess and driven back to Penmaenmawr. On Sunday, the surviving lady and the driver were both reported to be suffering from severe shock and nervous prostra- tion, but were progressing satisfactorily. zn ZD Fishermen and boatmen searched the Conway estuary on Sunday without find- ing a trace of Miss Charlesworth's body. Her hat and note-book were found on the rocks below where the car came through the wall. The opening in the wall was two feet wide, and through it the debris falling from a steep acclivity on the other side of the road had been wheeled, form- ing a, trip, the top of which was about 36 square yards in area. Un this ledge the car stopped. The rear wheels rested ] against the kerb in the road, which pre- vented its going over. The chauffeur, whose name is Albert Watts, believes that the car struck a stone, which caused it to swerve, SEARCH OF THE SPOT. Several men reached the spot a short time after the accident. Mr Ivor Parry, of Conway, immediately he learnt that a lady was missing, climbed down the rocks, and found that the sea did not reach the foo-, of them. He searched about, but could find no trace of Miss Charlesworth. Mr Owen Roberts, of Penmaenmawr, cycling home from Conway, came across the wrecked car, and, on being informed by the chauffeur Watts that a lady was missing he went down on to the beach to look for her, 'but she had even then dis- appeared. He, however, found her hat on the sands at the foot, of the rocks, and I a pocket map, said also to belong to her, was on a ledge of the rocks. As he failed to see the lady, he thought it, better to go for assistance, and he rode off to Penmaen- mawr, where he communicated with Police Constable Owen. The latter telephoned to Superintendent Rees, and then went as quickly as possible to Penmaenbach, where he found Miss Lilian Charlesworth and the chauffeur in the distressed con- dition already described. On Tuesday night an "Advertiser" re- presentative interviewed Superintendent Rees, who told a remarkable story. He said that he did not interview the surviv- ing sister, Miss Lilian Charlesworth, on the Saturday night. He had intended doing so on the Sunday morning, but found that she had left. Penmaenmawr at four o'clock a.m., and he had received no communication from her since. The first intimation of the accident was given, he said, by Miss Lilian Charles- worth to a, boy of sixteen at Penmaenbach. This was not until three-quarters of an hour after Miss Violet had disappeared over the cliff; but the distance the sur- viving sister would have to walk would account for part of the time. The boy ran before Miss Charlesworth and met the chauffeur, Watts, close to the car. Watts told the lad that he had fallen on his back on the rocks and that the lady had gone over the cliff. SEARCH IN THE SEA. The lad descended the cliff to the water, but could find no trace of the lady. He waded in up to his waist, and searched the sea for a wide circle, but still could not, find anything. The father of the boy then arrived!, and to him the lady made practically the same, statement. The Superintendent, cont.-Inuing, said that. many people came from Penmaen- mawr, including Dr. Roberts, who exam- ined Miss Lilian Charlesworth and the chauffeur, and said, they were not injured. The chauffeur appeared to be dazed, and could only say, "Where is the la,dy?" and "She has gone over into the sea." Dr. Roberts then took them in a carriage to Penmaenmawr, and left them in charge of a nurse at an establishment known as Gwynfa. He (the superintendent) examin- ed the car, but, found no trace of blood. The tide was full at the time, but the water would only be shallow. The cliff was after- wards exmined but there was no trace of blood to be seen. On returning to C'onway the Superin- tendent, telephoned the news to St. Asaph, and a neighbour, a Mr Buxton, who is well-known in the district, came over and took Miss Oharlesworth and the chauffeur away about four o'clock in the morning. The search for the body was kept up all day on Sunday and Monday, but the only things found were a, Tam o'Shanter cap and a, black note book. The surviving Miss Charlesworth was wearing a similar cap. l Asked about the position the car was L in when he arrived, the Superintendent said it would require a great deal of skill to guide it into the gap. The glass was broken, and only one lamp was burning. The mysterious part. of the business to him was that he had not received any com- munication from the family since the acci- dent happened. The car was a powerful one, bearing the number LB 6,709. MEDICAL MAN'S STORY. The Superntenclent not heling able to throw any more light on the tragedy, he got into communication with Dr. Roberts, of Penmaenmawr, who informed him that the lady and chauffeur appeared to be in a state of collapse while he drove them to the nursing home, and they could tell him nothing. At three o'clock the following morning he was called up by a gentleman who said he had come to fetch the lady and chauffeur but the nurse would not allow them to be disturbed until he had sanctioned it. He gave his permission, but since then had heard nothing from them. He was able to inform him that, some- one had been to Penmaenmawr that day, and taken away the car which had been left at, a, cycle-repairing shop. After receiving that message, he com- municated with the police at St. Asaph; and the officer in charge there said he had just received a note in the hand- writing of Mrs Charlesworth instructing him to offer a reward of £ 20 for the re- covery of the body, which offer would be circulated in the morning. He then tele- phoned to the home of the missing lady, Boderw, St. Asaph. The second chauffeur, a man of the name of Heywood, answered the call, and in reply to a. ques- tion, said that Miss Charlesworth was able to get, up, as was also the chauffeur. He asked if the latter could be spoken to, and he was told he was on other duty. Miss Charlesworth, said his informant, had been, confined to her bed until that day, and that accounted foi' her silence. Later in the evening he learnt that Mr Sydney Holloway, of Tottenham-court- I y road, London, had called on Superin- tendent Rees, and informed him that all the family at Boderw were ill. The ladies had left St. Asaph .in the car in the after- noon of Saturday, thinking of taking a short. drive only. The day was so fine, however, that they had gone as far as Bangor and had tea at an hotel there be- fore returning. This was the first com- munication the officer had received from the family since the accident. LOCAL OPINIONS. Mr G. A. Humphreys, the local agent to the lVlostynEstate interview by an "Advertiser" representative, said he was well acquainted with the road on which the accident is reported to have taken place, and frequently motored past that spot. In his opinion the road was not dangerous to a person exercising ordinary care, and he could not understand how the accident, occurred, or how a person occupying the driver's seat, could be thrown from that position over the steer- ing wheel, through the glass wind shield, and down the cliff. Asked whether he considered it dangerous for a woman tOI drive along that road, Mr Humphreys replied that if a woman could drive at, all she could take the car with safety along the road in question. In his opinion.1. it was possible that a, large piece of stone might, have fallen from the rocks on the side of the road owing to the frost, and if the car, had run suddenly up against, this piece of stone the shock would be communicated to those in the car, and the person driving might inadvertently turn the steering wheel, causing the car to run into the wall. Mr Thomas Foster, manager of the Llandudno Motor and Garafe Company, was also of opinion that the road was not at all dangerous to. those driving cars with ordinary care. Mr Foster speaks, with considerable experience, as during the summer months several cars and motor charabancs belonging to his Company daily pass along the Penmaenmawr road.
CHAUFFEUR'S STORY.
CHAUFFEUR'S STORY. NARATIVE OF THE DRIVER WHO BROUGHT THE SISTER HOME'. Mr W. H. Buxton, the lately-appointed manager of the motor department, of Messrs Thorneycroft, Limited, has a resi- dence at St. Asaph. Awakened from his bed; on Sunday morning by the friends of the missing lady he went in his car to the scene of the occurrence to render what assistance he could He brought home to St. Asaph Miss Lilian Charlesworth and Watts, the chauffeur. This is Mr Buxton's narra- tive, given on Wednesday to a representa- tive "I have a residence at St. Asaph, about half a, mile from Boderw, where the Charlesworths live. On the night of the occurrence the police, receiving news of the accident, went, to Boderw, and after conveying the news suggested some of the family or the friends should,, go to the spot. It was then explained that Mrs Charlesworth was dangerously ill from heart disease. Presently the police ser- geant. suggested that as I was the only person with a motor ?car near at hand my help should be sought. "At one o'clock in the morning: Mr Gretton, a friend of the family, and the young man who is the chauffeur to Miss Lilian Charlesworth arrived at, my place and roused us up with a violent ringing of the bell. The servants got up, and eventually I went to the door. Mr Gret- ton and the chauffeur informed me that there had been a terrible motor accident at Conway, and that one lady had been killed, while her sister and the driver were severely injured. "They asked me whether since the chauffeur was an experienced driver, I would lend them my car to get to the scene. I said I could not do that, but in the circumstances I would drive them myself. I added that I would come along as quickly as I could and would pick them up at the house. "When I got along towards Boderw I found them a, hundred yards away from the place. The young chauffeur said: 'Don't, drive down to the house; the mother will hear us; and will be upset. They got into my car, an 18-h.p. Thorney- croft, and I drove them to Conway. Blow- ing my horn at the police station, .1 got the superintendent out, and had a talk with him. He explained that the sur- vivors were in a, nursing home about two miles from the scenel of the occurrence, at a house which, I think, was called Gwynfa. We set off along the road to find it. Penmaen Bach, where the affair occurred, Is two or three miles out of Conway and about twenty-five miles from St. Asaph. "It was a, bright, moonlight night, and when we came to the gap in the wall that skirts the road one could see it quite plainly. With a view to finding out, whether this was actually the spot, I pulled up, "At last we found Gwynfa. It. was on a hill, and I pulled up at the foot, and Mr Gretton and the chauffeur got out and walked up. They were gone so long that I eventually went up to see what they were, doing, and I found the landlady of the place lighting a fire. "Mir Gretton and a chauffeur (not Mr Watts), I was told, had gone to the doctor, who lived near to get permission to awaken Miss Charlesworth and Watts, the chaf- feur, in order to take them home. When they returned Mr Greton said the doctor was of opinion there was nothing at all wrong with them except shock, and that there would be no harm in taking them home, and inasmuch as the mother of Miss Charlesworth was ill. WATTS-S STATEMENT. When the chauffeur Watts was awakened, and came out I examined his face closely, and there was not a scratch 'on him. I | noticed his gold-braided motor coat had limestone on the back of it. limestone on the back of it. "In conversation with him I said 'Was the lady driving?' 'Yes, she was,' he replied. 'It is almost an impossibility,' I said, 'for her to have been thrown out from 'for her to have been thrown out from behind the wheel considering there is an arm between the two seats.' 'As soon as the car struck the wall, he said, 'I made a jump and dragged 'her with me. Then I remembered nothing more.' "That was all Watts said. "When I saw Miss Lilian Charlesworth I did not bother her with questions, think- ing she would be very much upset and agitated by what had occurred. I said 'I am very sorry to hear of your ter- rible experience.' She said, 'Yes, it is horrible, isn't it?' "I went down to the foot of the hill to back my car up to them, thinking to spare the lady as much as possible in her agitated state. But she took Mr Gretton's arm and walked down without apparent effort or disturbance. All got into the car. The young chauffeur, the one who had travelled with me from St. Asaph, took his place beside me. The other three, Miss Charlesworth, Mr Gretton, and Watts, got, into the back of the car. "We travelled back by road I had come. The time was about four o'clock when we passed the gap in the wall, and the moon was shining brightly. None of the three said anything, or asked me to stop, as we passed the spot. I noticed they did not look over down the, cliff. The young driver by my side said 'Don't stop, it will frighten them again.' "When we reached Boderw Mr Grettoi g i,ve Miss Charleswoith his arm, and they went into the house without saying a word to me. The young chauffeur, however, gave me a word of thanks. "On Monday I went and saw the injured car at, the garage in Penmaenmawr to which it had been taken. The wind screen had nearly all the glass gone from it." Mr Buxton was asked his opinion as to the probability of a driver being thrown from a motor-car as the result of an im- pact with some object. "I have been a, driver for fifteen years," he said, "and have driven various cars over all kinds of roads at home and abroad. In my judgment it is impossible for anybody sitting in the driver's seat, to be thrown out by impact, with any object without, the smashing of the steering column and wheel. As a matter of fact, in this case. the steering column and wheel were in their proper position and unin- jured." INQUIRY FOR A BRADSiHAW AT BANGOR. Inquiries at Bangor on Wednesday yielded conclusive proof that the Misses Charlesworth visiited the city on Saturday and obtained tea ait, the Castle Hotel, where, they arrived at a quarter-past four They left at ten minutes past six. One of the ladies had a very conspicuous red cloak, and both wore white motor veils. Before leaving! they asked; the maid for a Bradshaw railway guide. No motor-car was seen in the vicinity of the hotel, but about the same time a police-constable noticed a motor-car higher up the street, with the identifica- tion plate obscured by mud. He called the attention of the chauffeur to it, and both had a short conversation, in the course of which the chauffeur mentioned that his party were having tea, at the hotel "down the road." The chauffeur then proceeded to a, refreshment house close by (where he obtained light refresh- ments) When and by which route the party left the town is not known. Several im- portant roads lead from Bangor, which is also an important railway centre. There is no trace at the railway station of any- one answering the description of Miss Violet Charlesworth having left by train on Saturday evening. The Bangor stationmaster states:- "Several young ladies booked on Satur- day night to various places. I cannot describe anyone in particular."
MISS VIOLET CHARLEiSWORTH'S…
MISS VIOLET CHARLEiSWORTH'S LIABILITIES. REMARKABLE! ALLEGATIONS. The "Star" says that, inquiries in Wales, Scotland;, and London show that during the last twelve months Miss Violet, Gordon Charlesworth has incurred liabilities run- ning into several thousands of pounds, and that quite recently a London trades- man obtained a, judgment against, her in the Clounty Ctaurt for a considerable sum. A fortnight ago brokers were put in at, Boderw, St. Asaph, where, Miss Charles- worth has recently been living, but owing to the fact that, none of the goods were owned by the missing motorist they were removed by order of a London solicitor. On Monday morning a tradesman to whom Miss Violet Charlesworth is indebt- ed received the following telegram — "7 45, 4th January. "Miss Violet Gordon Charlesworth kill- ed in motor accident near Conway on Saturday night.—Charlesworth." The "Star" adds that, Miiss Violet Charlesworth took a fivet years' lease of the Hall, Clalne, in arch last, but never re- sided there. Extensive alterations to the house were carried out at her orders, and those who did the work have pressed of late unsuccessfully for payment. One tradesman whose bill was about P,200 for decorations obtained a writ in the High Court, upon which judgment, for the amount claimed has since been given. This writ was served on Miiss Violet Charlesworth at the Inns of Court Hotel, London last week. The Hall is now in the possession of bailiffs. Several pedigree St. Bernard dogs have been kept at the house, but little furniture there. The kennelman and gardeners are the only ser- vants, and they state that they have not been paid any wages for nearly six months. A correspondent states —As the result of inquiries made on Wednesday I find that the missing young lady was financial- ly embarrassed to quite an exceptional de- gree, and that a short time ago, when in Liverpool, she wrote a friend intimating her intention of leaving the country this month. She was to have been a defendant at the Rhyl County Court this month in an action for the recovery of £ 500 in which she was indebted. THE CHARLESWORTH FAMILY. Some, personal particulars are given in the London "E-'vening News" about, the Charlesworth family, and especially about Miss Violet Charlesworth. Up to a few years ago', it is stated Miss Violet Gordon Charlesworth lived with her father and mother in a comparatively small house at Rhyl. From Rhyl they moved to Boderw St. Asaph, an old well- built villa in its own grounds. Each of the daughters had her own car and em- ployed her own chauffeur. Miiss, Violet Charlesworth was frequently out on motor journeys, generally accompanied by her sisted. She recently took a house called "The Hall," at, Calne; in Wiltshire, at a rent of £ 188 a year, and had it redecorated and kennels added for pedigree St. Ber- nards. There was a housekeeper in charge, and when Miss Charlesworth visited OaIne she usually stayed at the inn. Miss Violet Charlesworth had many friends in London, to which she made periodical motor-car visits. She usually stayed at the Inns of Court Hotel, in Hol- born, and was recently understood to have had legal business to transact in connec- tion with financial matters. She last stayed at the hotel from November 2nd until December 12th. She spent most of her time in her motor-cars, of which she seemed to have two or three. The hotel servants specially remember her because she took a liking for a boy in the hotel, who afterwards entered her service. She is described as a tall, elegant, lady, of splendid figure. Towards the end of her stay she is said to have asked that her bill, amounting to nearly £ 50, should be allowed to stand over. To this the man- agement agreed. An Inverness correspondent of the same paper states that Miss Violet Charles- worth was well-known in the Highlands. She had taken a seven years' lease of the shooting-box of Flowerburn, at Fortrose, and had it furnished in expensive style, the walls being decorated with tartan and silk. She had several motor-cars and drove herself, often leaving her shooting- lodge at mdinight for long motor runs. She motored all over the Highlands, and was saiid to be a daring1 driver. Only a week ago Miss; Charlesworth stayed at a hotel in R-osshire. She seems to have been anxious to enter society in the, High- lands during the autumn, and attended the Northern Meeting ball, the leading social event of the Highland season. Whatever rumours, as to a reversion under the will of the late General Gordon may have received credence, the fact re- mains that no mention of Miss Charles- worth's name occurs in that will. The documents was proved on April 23rd, 1885, by the General's brother. Sir Henry William Gordon, K.C.B. and by it General Gordon bequeathed the whole of his property amounting in all to less than £ 2,300, to his sister, Miss Mary A. Gor- don, for her life, and on her death to his nephews and nieces. VIOLET CHARLEISWORTH'S ANTECEDENTS. Inquiries made in Rhyl, where the Charlesworths resided before they went to St. Asaph, show that little is known of the past history of the family. About four years ago Mr and Mrs Charlesworth, both elderly people, accompanied by their two daughters, took a house known as "Voryd Bach," just, beyond the River Olwyd, close to Rihyl. It is a, comfortable, rambling kind of place, consist,ing of ten rooms and outbuildings^ with a large, lawn. In front is the River Olwyd. At, the back is the Volunteer firing ground and Gratton's Farm. The rent was about £ 30 a, year. For the first three years of their resi- dence there the family had no servant. Then they kept a maid. A week before they left they had one motor-car. When the Volunteers were collecting money for prizes for shooting Miss Violet gave two cups, and personally presented them to the winners. In a little speech she said she wanted to encourage shooting, and would give other prizes. The family left Voryd Bach in February 1908. For a few weeks they stayed at a house in King's-avenue, Rhyl, which is rented at JE26 a year. Then they moved to St. Asaph. Here in the summer of 1908 Miss Violet was announced to open a, Wesleyan bazaar. She could not attend, but, a gentleman who was announced as her brother performed the ceremony in her stead. She subscribed JB5 towards the fund. During the past, few months one of the Charlesworth motor-cars came into Rhyl nearly every night to post letters at the head post-office. The last post leaves later than the St. Asaph post. It is believed that the Charlesworths at one period lived at, Southport. When they were staying at Rhyl some visitors from Southport who saw the sisters recognised them as having lived in that, town a short time before. Miss Violet has lately paid several visits, to friends at Salford. REMARKABLE STIORY BY THE SISTER'S HUSBAND. On Thursday at, Derby a correspondent had an interview \vh the husband of the missing girl's sister, Lilian, who has hitherto been described as "Miss" Charles- worth. The husband's name is Coulson, and he is a working jeweller in Derby. He and Mis? Lilian Charlesworth were mar- 4 ried at King-street Wesleyan Chapel, Derby, when May, or2 as she apparently preferred to call herself, Violet was quite a young girl. "As the later grew in years," said Mr Coulson, "she developed .big ideas, and endeavoured to get her re- lations to view things in the same light as herself. They wanted to live on more ex- travagant, lines than I could see my way clear to do, hence separation." Mr Coulson went on to say that on his wife's family leaving town to take up their residence elsewhere he practically lost sight of them, except that business took him to Rhyl on one occasion, and he met his mother-in-law in the street. She told him her address, and he subsequently called. Violet herself answered his knock, and on her informing him that her sister (for whom he inquired) was not at, home he left, again immediately. "I suppose you have, heard news of their proceedings in the past, year," "Oh, yes, and I have seen the brother more than once. I concluded that they must have got a lot of money from some- where, or they could not have lived in the style they seemed to do. I heard that. Violet had come into a lot of money." "What would be your description of the- missing .gitrl ?" "She would be nearly six feet, in height, and lady-like. She was of very dark com- plexion and particularly well built. She was a clever girl, and could make herself an agreeable companion, being able to converse, on almost any topic. She could have held her own in any company." £ 10,000 LOSS FOR STOCKBROKERS. A member of the stockbroking firm with whim she dealt stated on Thursday: — "She owes us £ 10,000 for speculation, mostly in American Rails. Four years ago, she first, wrote to us with an introduction. which was in every way sound. She wish- ed to speculate on a small scale. Solicitors, and bankers' references were good, the bank telling us that her account could be- relied upon up to a fair amount. "All our business at first was by letter or telegram. At the outset she dealt, in. small operations and was successful. We paid her sums amounting to a good deal. Her speculations grew larger, and her- luck turned. At, one time she held 1,550: Union Pacifics as a 'bull' speculator. Then the American money panic, came, and she was hit very hard, indeed. A 'bear' speculation also failed. "We had been pressing for payment, but without avail, and I arranged an in- terview at the Inns of Court Hotel. I went expecting to see a middle-aged, woman of the world, but, found a country girl, quietly dressedi in the best of taste and charming in manner. She told me about the fortune coming to her when she was twenty-five in January this year. She was bound, she said, not to tell who the trustees were and had to keep it secret from them that she was operating on the Stock Exchange. She promised me £50 interest on the account, which she after- wards paid, and JE100 as a guarantee- against further unsuccessful speculation. "Once I went to Stafford to see her, and was astonished to find the house she, was living in a small collage. I after- wards met her and( her sister in separate- motor-cars, and we had lunch together. On one occasion, when she owed us £ 1200, she made, a, profit of £400,. Because we demurred when she asked for payment, she wrote describing our conduct as un- gentle manly and mean. n "When very pressed, she induced us to advance £ 400 on her jewellery, which was, extremely beautiful, especially one dia- mond tiara. At, that stage we were given to understand that her fortune would, with accumulated interest^ amount to £ 500,000. She told us her trustees were purchasing for her estates in Scotland and Wiltshire. She admitted being extravagant, and de- clared that she had spent P,8,000 in one year. "I HAVE! BElEN MARRIED." "Not long; ago we received a telegram from her, 'I have been married,' but, we never heard anything more about it, and she still used the name Charlesworth. to us. For the purposes of business she had always adopted the name 'Miss Talbot,' in order, she said^ to keep her speculating from her trustees. "When she was in town for Christmas shopping she and her sister motored to our office. I told her then that on January 15th her bills, involving £ 10,000, would mature, and we should expect them to be met. She promised emphatically that the amount would be paid, and said, 'You see a condition of the will is that if I disgrace 0 myself in any way my fortune can at the discretion of the trustees be withheld. They have promised to pay £ 800 of my debts, and if they heard of this large amount they would make me bankrupt.' "One observation she made was that she might raise money on a life insurance policy of £ 3,000. When I pointed out, that such a young hfean insurance policy had not much value she answered, 'Really, I cannot die to order!' 'I am on the brink of a precipice' was one of her last remarks. "She was keenly businesslike, possessing a knowledge of the Stock Exchange which many men might envy. Hereyes of a curious reddish tinge, were the strangest feature. She could talk in a marvellous way—talk anyone round to her view. Her sister seemed quite under her domination, ,almost, a servant in fact!. I believe she had the whole family under her thumb. We must have had instructions by tele- gram from her from nearly all the well- known hotels in England."
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