Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-20
WOMAN MOWS
HER LOVE FOR
PASTOR-ROBBER
Gives Police Finery Minister
Stole for Her After First
Wife Got Divorce.

Los Angeles, Cal, Oct lo.-A
second romance in the life Of Harr,
K. Royce. confessed minister-bur.
glar, has been uncovered through ar
intercepted letter to Mrs. Irene In,
walls, young divorcee Of San Fran.
cisco.
Royce, before turning burglar, oc.
cupied pulpits in Nebraska, Okla
home and Kansas.
Royce's wife secured an uncon-
tested divorce on grounds of de-
sertion.
AS details of one unhappy
romance were pieced together. a
second was revealed when Royce
was found to have sent expensive
gifts of feminine fnery to Mrs. In
walls. These she has been obliged
to turn over to the police, but her
faith is unshaken. ~
Still Loves Him.
~ still love him and Just won't
believe it," she exclaimed when in
formed of the arrest in Los An
geles.
Their friendship had its inception
in the holy cloisters of San Fran
cisco church, where they met at
service year ago.
A suave and cultured college
graduate and ordained minister,
Royce paid court to Mrs. Invals,
who is now awaiting her final d.
vorce papers and has custody of a
2-year r-old girl by the marriage.
Eight weeks ago Royce left San
Francisco for Southern California.
Then followed food of gifts OF
women's wearing apparel which he
explained were left by his sister,
who died three years ago, but were
designed in 1919 mode.
Driven by Poverty.
The jailed minister, in the letter
to Mrs. Invals, said he was virtually
forced into the life of crime by,
poverty and sickness. With him in
prison is his nephew, Kenneth Moi
fit, who is alleged to have been an
accomplice. ~
Royce's letter of confession and
love follows:
Dear Irene: Inclosed clipping is
self-explanatory. All, of course,
must be off between us. You can
not marry an ex-convict or jailbird.
"Just word of explanation due.
Kenneth and l were straight and
went straight until four weeks ago.
He couldn't get work and | was
sick and down and out. No home,
no food, no money. Most every
thing | sent you l told the truth
about You may have to return
everything / sent you so they can
check things off. Police will write
you what they claim is not stolen
(only one dress, beads and lavalliere
as far as l remember. stolen).
81 am truly sorry and repentant,
but as usual have repented too late.
ask your forgiveness for this, my
ending, and if you care to forgive
me you can write me. Your
letter will be opened and read and
then given to me.
Asks Her to Write.
"If you should wish an answer
nclose a sheet of paper, envelope
and stamp. / have no money and
cannot get these things.
"My heart is full of love for you
today. In the past when hope gave
way to despair, you cheered and in
spired me and made my heart glad.
You were pal through glad and
sad days. You believed and trusted
IN me. l have proved unworthy of
such great love. If sister had
stood by me month ago this
would not have occurred.
II truely love you, dear heart, and
would have made you the best kind
Of husband, but, as | have ended
this way, all l can do is to write
'finis.' | shall plead guilty and
should the court be merciful to me
would be put out on probation.
Il may be here in the Jail three
months before l get a trial. If !
am sent to San Quentin ! would not
expect to live out my term. Indeed
doubt if | shall live year, as
am not we'll and the shame and
remorse is about killing me. Ken
meth, dear boy, will get out on pro-
baton.
Il love you, dear one, and shall
to my dying day. My sweetest
memories shall be of you. Good
bye, Irene. HARRY-F1nis.