The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-08-06

The French papers are full of society
scandal. or divorce in high life, OF the
Count III Mello from his wife. The case
was begun three years ago in Portu gal
and came up in May last before the Court
of Appeals. which denied the motion for
a separation. As the Count and the lovely
/ Countess were well known to many
Americans In Nice during the winter OF
~. few details Of the cause Of their do
mestic troubles may not prove uninterest-
ing. The rich Russian Prince de N
gave a grand soiree at his elegant villa
and invited several American officers, who
were then in the fleet at Villefranche."
Among the invited guests were the Count
and his wife. During the evening they
We're both introduced to the young and
popular Vicomte Gustavus Lilo. an Off
Ger with a glorious record for one 80
young and belonging TO one of the most
illustrious families Of Belgium. He was
then the beau of the evening and the pet
of the ladies, but suffice it to say Lilo fell
desperately in love with the beautiful
Spanish Countess. and she with him.
though her pride forbade her 10 admit the
possibility Of such a thing. Yet she was
proud of her conquest, and accepted mark
ed attention from the handsome officer
IL was her first meeting. though they were
not unknown TO each other. During the
evening, the foolish wife wrote a few lines
on a slip of paper. which she intended to
give the Young Viscount TO caution him
against her Jealous husband. During
the dancing, the enamored pair stole
into one OF the fairy boudoirs, and a
tete-a-tete was pleasantly progressing
and rendezvous passionately soli-
tilted by the Viscount. when. with
aho Ill 81
few lines she had written. wrapped in her
handkerchief. Read this little later
said she. and started TO enter the ball
room. but was met, face 10 face, by the in
furiated husband, who had missed them
from the room. An ironic smile was on
his lips. My dear Viscount," said he.
:. il mistake not, nv wife quite monopo-
Lies your society. IL 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 recognized as his
wife's. when Lilo drew back i'm indigna-
ton, exclaiming, "This handkerchief is
not yours" pardon me- said the
Count. sit bears such strong resem-
blance to that Of my wife's, and II hers,
she must have given IL to you" Iou
are Mistaken" said Lilo; lit was not
given to mel took it," 1.-The handker-
chiefs worth 200 louis. and If you took IL
you are thief" was the retort. AT this.
the row began; hot, angry words were
exchanged. The result was challenge.
and duel arranged to take place the next
day. During this dispute the poor Count
ess tainted on sofa. Two American Of
ficers went as seconds for the Count, and
the antagonists met short distance from
villefranche. As the moment drew near,
the young Belgian asked as special favor
TO be allowed to wear his white vest. Civ
ing a pretext his fear Of taking cold,
and the contest began with swords. At
the first pass" Lilio's sword fell from
his hand, the sabre OF his adversary having
pierced him 10 the heart. He fell without
nttering word-dead. His seconds"
In examining his wound, found the fatal
handkerchief pierced ty 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 iniidelity, aud was
denied by the highest court Of Portugal.