Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-10-15

stairs and kindred rumors about
persons in society, had published
insinuations about the plaintiff S
flirtations at Newport and else
where before this case had become
public. And it had announced the
rumor that she was engaged to a
bachelor whose social eminence
was unquestioned, although his fl
nancial standingswas nebulous.
The defendant was gay young
blade who had recently fallen heir
to o million or so.
In their opening addresses to the
court and the jury the opposing at
torneys had become eloquent, as
attorneys always become where q
large sum is involved. No woman
who sues a millionaire for breach
Of promise is satisfied with small
change.
The leading lawyer for the plain
tiff had expressed wonder that any
man with an opportunity to make
such a woman as this plaintiff his
wife should forego the chance. A
poll of the jury at the moment
might have confirmed his holding
And what shall we say he added,
'of a man like this defendant, who
after promising to marry such a
woman, humiliates her as this
plaintiff has been Inundated
The defendants attorney had de-
MED any specific promise or obliga-
ton to marry. His client, he said.
had been simply friend and So
cial companion of the plaintiff, who
mad also enjoyed the friendship and
companionship of other men in the
circle in which they moved.
we shall show" retorted the
plaintiffs attorney, that this de-
fendant did promise to marry this
plaintiff in letters authorship of
which he cannot deny - letters
breathing love and devotion-let-
ters which this intelligent jury will
see are missives of ardency and i'm
patience over delay"
And the lawyer handed to the
judge, and the judge passed to the
clerk of the court, a bundle of let
ters apparently written on super
fine paper and tied with q ribbon
which in color matched the domi.
nant note transmitted by the plain
tufts hat, an adornment that had
caused many subdued expressions
admiration from the women pres
ent.
"The clerk will read the letters"
said the judge. shall they be read
in their order?" he asked the
plaintiffs attorney.
IL it may please your honor,
yes"
As the clerk began to read, in the
monotone characteristic of court
clerks, the plaintiff and her attor-
ney became engrossed with other
papers which no doubt had to do
with the case, she leaving her more
prominent seat to join him. Every
body else in the court room was at
attention.
The droning of the clerk could
not disguise the fact that the first
letter of the bundle began "My
darling Genevieve" or that it
breathed an ardent passion; or
that it expressed impatience that
she had suddenly postponed their
wedding until some day yet to be
named, while protesting love that
equaled his own.
The women in the room strained
intelligence to get every note of en-
dearment, and some of them
blushed, for there were phrases
in the letter that might we'll embar-
rass third persons. 'rhe clerks col
orless informing could not rob them
of amatory significance. When he
finished with your adoring Her.
'crt,' the clerk himself seemed to
Waken from the tedium of his
oading, and he smiled as he inn
12rted to these final words a mock
2ntimentality. Some Of the women
pectators, acquaintance of both
rites. perhaps, showed a peculiar
rimation. Their buzzing brought
reprimand from the judges
Hvel.
The plaintiff and her attorney
had still been engaged with docu-
aents, but as the defendants attor-
ney quickly sprang to his feet, his
opponent disclosed sudden appre-
hension, and sought to forestall his
antagonist. He was too late.
Your Honor" said the defend
ants attorney, II move for a dis
missal of the complaint in this ac-
ton"
ION what ground?" the judge
asked.
"On the ground that the letter
just read--and no doubt all the let
ters handed up are open to the
same objection-has no bearing
whatever on the case"
"Why?" the judge asked, his
tone showing surprise.
THE letter just read may be