Unless I'm totally off the mark, the other reviews of this Perry Mason episode are way off-base. They ALL identify the character of Margo Stevens (played by Carol Anderson) as the "lonely eloper" of the title, that is, the child-like niece who is charged with killing her overbearing Aunt Olivia. Margo Stevens is NOT the niece, and does NOT stand trial, and is, in fact, little more than window- dressing.
The basis of the story is: Olivia Langley is the trustee of her niece MERLE TELFORD's fortune, and she treats Merle like a child, belittles her, and does not allow her to make any decisions on her own. On Merle's 21st birthday, when Merle will legally be free of her aunt's influence, Olivia is found stabbed to death and the murder weapon is in Merle's possession.
As far as I know, Margo Stevens barely appears in the episode at all (one scene) and does NOT play a large role in it; turns out she is only involved in a case of mistaken identity with another character, Gina Gilbert.
Again, the main character/defendant in this episode is Merle Telford, played by Jana Taylor.
The basis of the story is: Olivia Langley is the trustee of her niece MERLE TELFORD's fortune, and she treats Merle like a child, belittles her, and does not allow her to make any decisions on her own. On Merle's 21st birthday, when Merle will legally be free of her aunt's influence, Olivia is found stabbed to death and the murder weapon is in Merle's possession.
As far as I know, Margo Stevens barely appears in the episode at all (one scene) and does NOT play a large role in it; turns out she is only involved in a case of mistaken identity with another character, Gina Gilbert.
Again, the main character/defendant in this episode is Merle Telford, played by Jana Taylor.