The New York herald., 1921-04-24

Special Gable to THE NEw YORK HEsALD.
Copyright, 1871 by TIE NEw YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, April %.
Although her American fairy prince
can no longer come to cheer her up,
buy her chocolate, take her for long
taxicab rides and assure her that her
child will be well cared for. Miss May
Violet Buckle, 16 years DID, is no longer
the friendless, homeless. distracted
girl she was when she left her eight
een-months- old baby boy on strange
doorsteps not long ago. This week she
has had dozen offers OF marriage.
many chances to work and opportuni-
ties to accept home, but, more than
ALL persons in various ranks of life
have indicated to her that they would
gladly care for her child until she is
in better position to assume the bur-
den of his support.
Miss Buckles fairy prince, otherwise
Capt. Ernest Marlew, formerly an Amer
lean Red Cross worker. Is responsible
for her sudden change Of fortune, but
is unable to appreciate how he helped
her. He has disappeared from her lie,
as most fairy princes do sooner or later.
but she will never forget him.
For a long time Miss Buckle tried TO
support her child. meanwhile hoping that
British army officer, the father of the
baby, who went abroad, would return.
Finally, hungry and hopeless. she re-
solved to place her child in better hands.
She left him on a doorstep and hurried
away. Then remorse struck her and
she regretted her action. She hurried
back to get the baby, but he had been
taken in by the persons at whose door
she had left him. She Is scarcely more
than a child herself and she frantically
sought a policeman and told him what
she had done. She recovered her child,
but was arrested.
Capt. MerIew TO the Rescue.
Capt. Marlew read about the case in
the newspapers and was tremendously
interested in the misfortune of Miss
Buckle. He called at the court and then
wrote a letter 10 the Judge, Offering to
find a home for the child and to provide
for him, and also to find honorable work
for the mother The judge freed the
girl accepting Capt. Marlew's offer,
praising him in the highest terms for II
and calling his noble action"
Capt Marlew proved that he served In
the American Army in France; that he
was a druggist. and that until recently
he was employed by large house here.
He is linguist, speaking six languages
huently He said he was lonely
l.fg r1Rff =
dead He is a tall spare man about
fifty years old. and was referred 70 by
his associates as strictly religious" He
convinced every one that he had good
reputation and acted in the case In good
faith. He met Miss Buckle several times,
apparently arranging matters; called at
an insurance office about life insurance
policy for the child purchased a type
writer SO the girl could do some work.
and then took the young mother or long
taxicab rides through the parks, cheering
her UP. Finally his money ran our ana
he sold the typewriter This was fol-
lowed by more candy and taxicab rides.
Captain Becomes Insane.
on one occasion he asked Miss Buckle
10 go to a certain hotel and meet his
sister. Later IL developed that he had
no sister. Then he sent word to the
parish clergyman at Miss Buckles nome
town to pray for her father. who was In
good health. but Capt. Marlew explained
that ne had a ''hunch" that Mr.. Buckle
would not live long.
All this time, however. he was solicit
tcus of Miss Buckles comfort and treat
cd her with great kindness and consid-
Grafton. Last week he went to visit her
home IN Gravesend. lie walked until he
came to the house. Then he broke the
windows there. This led TO his arrest,
and when he was examined X was found
that his mind was unsound, probably
as result OF a serious illness he had
at Eastert.me and TO weeks OF worry.
In his weakened condition, how best TO
provide for the girl and her child. Capt.
Marley is row confined In an asylum
for the insane.
The widespread publicity given TO the
case has resulted In Miss Buckle receiv-
ing letters from all parts Of the United
Kingdom expressing sympathy for her
and offering help.