The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-07-17
otetty Miss Harsh Succumbed
To Temptation Because Of
Great Infatuation for Her
Sweetheart.
GREATEST SYMPATHY
FOR THE YOUNG WIFE
Very Probable That She Will
Be Released on Her Own
Recognizance-She Cannot
Explain Action.

Explain Action.
Did Myrtle Harsh, whose name for
the past two weeks has been Mrs.
Bruce Lloyd, steal from the Earlham
college girls in order to get money to
reach her husband at Louisville, Ky?
The little school teacher was SO fright
ened yesterday afternoon, she forgot to
tell the police she no longer is sin
gle woman, but now Is the wife OF the
son OF prominent building contractor
at Oxford, O. She had been married but
q few days and to give her name as
Mrs. Lloyd was unfamiliar to her, so
she gave her maiden name.
Friends Of the girl were shocked and
surprised to learn of her act. They
rallied to her, however, and last even
ing she was released under 500 bail.
Christian Wellbaum and Phillip John
son signed as security. The girls moth
er remains in state OF nervous col
lapse, SO surprised is she at her child's
discrimination.
10 Some Criticism.
It 10 maintained by those acquainted
with the girl, the exposure could have
been prevented. There is tendency
to criticise. the Earlham college auth
critics for placing her in the hands OF
the police. On the other hand the
college authorities are held by some to
have taken the proper steps. These
claim the police were the right author
tiles to deal with the case. There is
practically no criticism Of the police.
az they were called into the case and
had to make the arrest.
There is a probability the young
woman will receive judicial clemency.
It was her first offense. She has the
sympathy Of members of the poles
department from superintendent to
patrolmen and the prosecutor says 1t
is q case of the kind not desirable to
deal with. The young woman has
borne spotless reputation heretofore.
At Greenville where she has taught
school she was held In the highest es-
TEEN. She has been on the teaching
corps for three years and was recently
reappointed to the position. Her local
friends are mainly members OF her
fathers pastorate in West Richmond
and they are loyal to her. Many say
they believe the young woman was
overcome by overwhelming infatuation
for her husband and this urged her to
the thefts. Her father, the Rev. EN-
erson Harsh, has been pastor of the
Second English Lutheran church only
few years, but In that time has gained
the affection of all who know him.
The young woman has been accus-
toned to spend the summer months at
her parents home.
A Story Of Love.
Back of the story Of crime Is one OF
love, pathetic and romantic, with a
dark shadowing Of the tragic. Miss
Harsh and young Bruce Lloyd had
been sweethearts for several years.
They first met at Oxford. Ohio. when
both resided there. They remained In
school but continued to keep company
until the mutual attraction developed
into love. They we're betrothed. Both
families approved and the happy mar
riage day was awaited with expect
ancy.
But, the young college student was
not prepared to 60 out and wage the
battles Of the world. Love was not
maintenance and he wanted to care for
his idol as no other woman had been
cared for. 1t was agreed she should
continue teaching and he would attend
an architectural college at Chicago.
For he wanted to be builder. like.
but greater than. his father in the lit
tie village Of Oxford.
Cupid Relentless.
Cupid was relentless. From his
taught bowstring he drove dart after
dart into the hearts OF the young
school teacher and her architect lover.
Their longing became Unsuitable. so
while the sweethearts visited at Ok
ford recently plans we're laid and the
marriage rite performed The license
was secured in this county. Better
prepared than ever, as he believed,
the young lover was to work the more
assiduously. He secured employment
at Louisville and his bride was to re-
main with her parents until he could
send for her to come to the Kentucky
city.
IOOuSy uiu Aot SSIlic dS ldSt u LlOyQ
as the golden love dreams had led him
to expect. Days went by and he was
not prepared to send for his bride.
Yes he wanted her. longed for her,
but material things have to be con-
sidered even when the heart beats
faster.
Like the ever green vine whose
uame she bore clings to the old tree
stump. the young woman held fast to
her desire for the companionship of
her husband. She was without ready
money.
letter Causes Deed.
She had been told to expect letter
from Louisville enclosing check Fri
day. It did not come on the morning
delivery OF the mail and she was dis
couraged. But like fateful irony the
mail yesterday afternoon brought the
letter. At that time she was in the