The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-06-25 00:00:00

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A PARISIAN ABDUCTION.

All Paris has been talking about the most extraor-
dinary thing in the way of abductions that has taken
place for many a long day. Seine time ago Mdlle.
Martinez de Camp s was married to the Count de San
Antonio, the son of Marshal Serrano, and afterwards
obtsined a divorce for reasons into which it is un-
necessary to enter. The lady was in the Bois de
Boulogne the other day about noon with her maid
when suddenly several men in masks rushed out of
the plantations, forced her into a carriage which was
waiting to receive her, and, mounting their horses,
which were also in attendance, galloped off at full
speed with their prey. The kidnappers have not
since been heard of. The maid, beside herself with
conAernation, hurried off at once t ) the brother-in-
law of Mdlle. Martinez de Campos, who in his turn lost
no time in making his way to the Bois. But questions
and inquiries were productive of no result. Tee whole
thing had been so cleverly managed that the people who
were walking and riding in the neighbouring paths
had noticed nothing unusual, nor had the attenti,-,n of
the keepers and poliee been attracted to this extra-
ordinary scene. From the Bois the lady's brother.
in-law proceeded to the Spanish Embassy, where
Senor de Albareda was at once acquainted with all
that was known of this strange affair. The Duchese
de la Torre was promptly communicated with, and
the elucidation of the mystery was placed in the
hands of competent detectives. It is rumoured that
a French gentleman, who is said to have sued in
vain for the lady's hand, is suspected of having •
adopted this heroic measure, in the hope that her
relatives would relent and give tltair consent to the
match. Others are of opinion that this may prove
to be a case of elopement, rather than of abduction.
After hcr divorce frotrethe Count de San Antonio
Mdlle. Mercedes de Martinez Campos took, up her
abode in Paris, in the Rue Christophe Colomb, in the
Champs Elysees quarter. She lived with a dame- de
compagnie, Mdlle. Louis, and several servants. • The
Count de San Antonio bccupiee a house in the Rue
ile Ponthien. Mdlle. Meradre de Martinez Campos
was with Mdlle. Louise in the Bois de Boulogne,
and her companion relates that they were quite near
the road in the neighbourhood of the Club des Panes
when several men, two of whom were masked, sur-
rounded them, took hold of the lady, forced her
into a carriage, and went off at a gallop. The
whole affair passed off so rapidly that she had no
time to give the alarm. Indeed, Mdile. Louise was
herself moleated by a party of ten women, who
pressed round and abused her while her mistress
was being carried off. There was not a police-
man near. Mdlle. Louise was utterly be-
wildered for some moments, and then began to
sob. Several persons went up to her, and to them
she related her story. She then went in search of the
count de Casa Monte, who proceeded to communicate
the had news to the Spanish Ambassador. Mdlle.
Louise is of opinion that her mistress was, in all pro-
bability, carried off by an individual whose name has
nor. yet been mentioned—a Frenchman who for some
months past bad
.been importuning Mdlle. Mercedes
de Martinez-Campos with his attentions. She heard
the exclamation, "This must finish; it has lasted
long enough," and considers the words an allusion to
the failure of this person's attempts to obtain any
encouragement from her mistress. Mdlle. Louiee is
positive that this is a gross and flagrant case of
abduction. It is reported that two of the servants
disappeared, and have not been heard of since.
ktiho

A 1, .„.1'
Swiss mountalth (Ude :
only stop talking, yaw honour may hear the roaring
of the rater across the valley.