Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-11-26
LORDS LOVE AFFAIR.
Beginning of a Sensational Suit
London society abe rbed i'm
the Metals.

Beginning of Sensational Suit
London society ,Orbed i'm
the Metals.
LONDON, Nov. 20-The suit for
breach of promise, brought by Miss
Fortescue, the actress, against Lord
Garmoyle, the eldest son OF the Earl of
Cairns, was begun to-day. The court
room was crowded with leaders of
fashionable society and stage celebrities
Lord Garmoyle was not present. Charles
Russell, in opening the case for the
plaintiff, spoke in high praise of the
fair itigant. Sir Henry James, attorney
general, who appeared for the defend
to accept verdict of 10000
damages against his client.
Sir Charles Russell said the defendant
admitted his promise to marry the plain
tiff, and breaking the promise without
justifable cause. Miss Fortescue, he
continued, was a lady, but in conse-
ouence Of her fathers failure in bust
ness, had adopted stage life in order to
support her mother and sister. Her
salary at the Savoy Theater was three
guineas per week at first and later
twice that sum. She made the
acquaintance of Lord Garmoyle in
society late in the year 1882. The ac-
quaintance ripened rapidly into mutual
regard and intimacy, and in July, 1888,
Lord Garmoyle made proposal of
marriage. Miss Fortescue accepted his
proposal and at once informed her
mother. At this lady's request Lord
Garmoyle likewise informed his father,
the Earl of Cairns, of the step which
he had taken. The earl gave express
sion to cordial, but guarded, approval
of his sons course and wrote
to Miss Fortescue saying that his
only desire in the matter was his
sons happiness, Miss Fortescue at once
replied to her prospective father-in-
law, assuring him that her one and only
wish was to make Lord Garmoyle hap
Ply. A little while after this Lord Gar
moyle saw his father and his father at
that time, while saying that he would
not himself have made such a choice,
gave his consent to the union. July
20, 1883, Lord Garmoyle wrote letter
to Miss Fortescue, in which
he stated that the Earl of Cairns
thought he was doing a sensible thing
to get married. Shortly after, with
Lord Garmoyle's consent, paragraph
was published announcing the engage
ment, and Miss Fortescue thereupon
became the recipient of kindly letters
from members of Lord Garmoyle's fam
lily. Some time in August of the same
year, Lord Garmoyle told his betrothed
that his family held very strong views
in regard to theater and stage life.
They thought an actors profession not
only full of peril, but ungodly and pro-
fame. Lord Garmoyle was careful to as
sure her that he did not share these views
But at his request Miss Fortescue
abandoned the stage. Miss Fortescue
was after this invited to the Earl of
Cairns house, where she received an
afectionate greeting from both Lord
and Lady Cairns. Suddenly and with
out the slightest previous mint that such
an idea was entertained, Lord Gar
moyle. on January Fl, 1884, wrote let
ter to Miss Fortescue and broke off
the engagement. He still protested
the deepest love and admira-
ton for her, but said his
friends would not accept her on
account of her profession. Attorney Gen
eral James admitted the circumstances
as presented by Sir Charles Russell, but
he justified the action of Lord Garmoyle,
the defendant who was now willing, as he
always had been, to grant compensation
to the young lady for the broken con-
tract. He would consent, without OBJ
lection, to verdict of 100000. At the
same time, he adds, Lord Garmoyle
wishes to state that not the slightest i'm
putation rested upon Miss Fortesque's
character. She had, throughout their
intercourse conducted herself as high
ly modest and highminded English gen
tlewoman.