Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-25
A HIgh.TOncd Scandal.

G8TlS lIeLJeIsI
The French papers are full of society
scandal, or divorce in high life, Of Count
di Mello from his wife. The case was
begun, three years ago, in Portugal, and
came upin May last before the court of
appeals, which denied the motion for a
separation. As the count and lovely
countess were well known TO many
Americans in Nice, during the winter
of 1872, 8 few details of the cause Of their
domestic troubles may not prove unin-
teresting. The rich Russian Prince de
N gave q grand SOjree at his ele-
CANT villa, and invited several American
officers, who were then with the fleet at
Villefranche. Among the invited guests
were the count and his wife. During
the evening they were both introduced
to the young and popular VicOmte Gus
tavUs Lilo, an officer with a glorious
record for one so young, and belonging
to one of the most illustriOus families of
Belgium. He was the beau Of the even
ing and the pet OF the ladies, but suffice
it to say, Lilo fell deeply in love with
the beautiful Spanish countess, aud she
with him, though her pride forbade her
to admit the possibility of such thing.
Yet she was proud Of her conquest, aud
accepted marked attention from the
handsome officer. 1t was her first meet
ing, though they were not unknown to
each other. During the evening the
foolish wife wrOts few lines on slip
of paper, which she intended to give the
young viscount to caution him against
her jealous husband. During the dane
ing the enamOreG pair stole into one of
the fairy bOudOirs, and tete- G-teLe was
pleasantly progressing, and rendez-
Vous passionately solicited by the Wis.,
count, when, with trembling hand, she
handed him the few lines she had writ
ten, wrapped in her handkerchief
"Read this little later" she said, and
started to enter the ballroom, but was
met, face to face, by the Infatuated hus-
band, who had missed them from the
room. An irOnic smile was on his lips.
'My dear viscOunt," said he, ''if l mis-
take not, my wife quite monopolizes
your society. 1t is nearly two hours
since you left the ballroom, and the
guests began to inquire for you" While
thus speaking he reached his hand to
take the handkerchief, which he recOg-
nized as his wife's, when Lilo drew
back in indignation, excisiming, "This
is not yours"
'PardOn me-" eaid the count" it
bears such a strong resemblance OF
that Of my wife's, and il hers, she must
have given it to you" "You are mis-
TAKEN" said Lilo; sit was not given to
mel took it." 1.-THE handkerchief is
worth two hundred louis, and if you
took it you are thief" was the retOrt.
At this the row began; hot, angry words
were exchanged. The result was chsl-
lenge and a duel, arranged to take place
the next day. During this dispute the
poor countess tainted on sofa. Two
American officers went as seconds for
the count, and the antagonists met 8
short distance from Vjllefranche. AS
the moment drew near, the young Bel
gian asked as a ecial favor to be al
lowed to wear his white vest, giving as
a pretext his fear OF taking cold, and the
contest began with swords. At the first
"passn LiliO's sword fell from his hand,
the saber of his adversary having pierced
his heart. He fell without uttering
His seconds, in examin-
ing the wound, found the fatal hand.
kerchief pierced by the sword OF MellO,
and saturated with hearts blood. These
are the details OF the cause for which the
count asked separation, on suspicion
Of his wife's infidelity, and was denied
bV the highest court of Portugal.