UNREQUITFD LOVE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2574, 7 August 1909, Page 3

UNREQUITFD LOVE.

THE GREY LYNN TRAGEDY.' A LONG-CHERISHED ■ PASSION Further particulars regarding the Grey' Lynn tragedy, which was telegraphed 'a few days ago, are taken from the “New Zealand Herald” of August 3, as follows;—-A tragic-ending to a love story occurred yesterday afternoon in Williamson Avenue, a quiet residential street' in Grey Lynn, which is pleasantly situated off. the bustle of Ponsonby Road, In the street _ last evening there was no outward indication that a tragedy, surrounded by cir--cumstances of a lpost dramatic nature, had taken place earlier in the day.. There were vague rumors that someone had committed suicide, but the residents in the streets gave them for what they were worth,.and hinted that they were unfounded. Unfortunately, investigation proved that they werebased on fact. In a two-storeyed house, standing back from the street in a corner section, a young man, who was disappointed in a love affair, had taken his life by swallowing a powerful poison, supposed' to he prussic acid, lb© suicide 'took place almost in the presence. of the girl whom he had endeavored to wed, after a journey of 16,000 miles, undertaken for that express purpose. The name of the victim is .Charles Barry MeCarthey, and the name of the girl to whom the proposal of marriage was made is Miss Evelyn Wright, who assisted her f mother to; conduct a boarding establishment on. the premises where the suicide occurred. ' ' The man MeCarthey was an Irish-, man, who- a number of 'years ago resid - ed in the same part of England as Mrs Wright and her daughter. At that time° Miss Wright was a .mere schoolgirl, aiid MeCarthey, who was 16 years her senior, was her confidant and friend. In an irresponsible, childish ,fashion. the <drl seems to have been fond of McCarthey. and he was passionately attached to her, and despite the difference. in their ages appears to have made up his mind to marry, her. Oiio day during the eoursejof their rambles lie' broached the subject to her, and received what he evidently regarded as a satisfactory and final answer. Time passed, and their courses in ino parted. MeCarthey went to the United States and studied‘electricity ancLmedicine, while Miss W right, in 1908, accompanied her mother to New Zealand and helped her to conduct a select boardinghouse in Williamson Avenue. McCaHhov accompanied the ladies to New Zealand, and shortly afterwards returned to England. Miss Wright evidently regarded MeCarthoy as" a friend of her girlhood, who could not bo seriously regrrrded.as a lover. This was not the point of viewtaken by the man, whose smouldering passion was recently fanned by news ■of Miss Wright’s engagement. -‘Ho immediately cabled to Auckland, making reference to their early friendship, and protesting against Miss Wright’s engagement to another man. A cable was sent in reply, and a letter followed, but it never readied McCnrthoy. tvlio had sailed for New Zealand. He arrived in Wellington a. few days ago, and came North by the Talune, arriving m Auckland on Sunday. He lost no time in seeking out Williamson. Avenue, and the same* day had an interview vith Miss Wright, to whom he proposed marriage. H© then left the house, but returned yesterday about midday for the purpose, lie stated, of apologising for his past attitude towards Miss, Wright. He saw both the young lady and her mother, who received him hospitably and invited liim to stay tor lunch. This he refused to do, but said ho would have a cup of tea. Miss, Wright prepared this, and took it to MeCarthey, who was,Seated on a sofa. He said lie wanted about a quarter of an hour to write a letter,- and the voung lady gave* him the .tea and retired. , Only a few minuter, elapsed when two boarders, who happened to be in the vicinity of the room, heard a heavy thud, and rushed into the room. They found the visitor lying on the floor in the throes of a struggle which indicat; ed that a rapid poison was permeating his system. One of the boarders went for medical assistance, and at_ the end of the street found Dr Hugh Keith .dismounting from a train. The doctor, hastened to lend .assistance, but the poison had got too much of a start, and when the doctor reached the house McCarthev was unconscious, and a few minutes later breathed ins last. From the time be took the poison to the time lie expired MeCarthey never uttered a word. Ho left a note on the table-stating that lie liad given up six years of his life to a girl, and bidding good-bye to all, including his-mother. No mst-mortem has yet been made of the*-.body, but it i.s presumed that MeCarthey. placed prussic acic\’ on his lips and'washed it down with the tea which .Miss Wright bad brought in to him. By .good fortune the boarders were able to keen the ladies away from the room where" the dying man was in his death-throes, - hut they wore prostrate 'when tliev hoard the tragic news. The police were summoned, and a basket coffin was qui-etfv conveyed to the back, of the house and the body placed inside for transference to the Morgue. ' Everything possible was done by; the police "and the boarders'to spare the feelings of the unfortunate young woman and her mother. MeCarthey’'s a main of about 35 years of age. and Miss Wright is about 19. The man was of good parentage, of superior attainments, and of attractive appearance. He arrived at the boardinghouse dressed in a tweed suit, overcoat, and soft felt Hat. T.ittle is known of his movements since lie arrived in Auckland. Hie loft. Ins luggage at the railway station, and it ”was not known where Ire had stayed. He had expressed his intention of returning Home. He had apparently been, rational in liis conversation, hut it is stated that he had suffered from a severe illness, the effects of which may' have resulted in temporary mental derangement. -