The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-04
GAMBETTA's LOVE STORY.
The Truth at Last-A Genuine Romance of
Politics, Passion and Fidelity.

Paris Correspondence New York World.
While Gambetta was alive the Figaro did
everything in its power to accredit the absurd
stories which were forever floating about
concerning his private life. A libel entitled
Qike the De Musset romance) "Elle ct Lui,"
published after the accident at Les Jardies,
long and graphic account was given of how
the great statesman was shot by a woman,
the description of whom was as fantastic as
the tale itself was fabulous. Now that poor
Gambetta can no longer be hurt by attacks
upon what he held dearest in the world, the
Figaro has decided to tell the truth and
shame the devil. 1t has at last put
an end to the contradictory rumors in an
article called lie Roman de Gambetta."
The points were given by NJ. Etienne, an
intimate friend of the Belleville deputy; so
they will probably be accepted as the last
word of this rather delicate affair." Here are
the simple facts out of and upon which so
many mysterious complications have been
woven and embroidered. During the war of
1870 Mile. Leonie Leon, then twenty years
of age, came to live in Paris with her mother,
the widow of colonel in the Frenh army.
Mile Leon took the greatest interest in Gam
bettas career believing him destined to fill
the highest positions. AT the end of the
war she wrote letter after letter to her idol,
begging for an interview, under the pretext
that she had important communications to
make.
Gambetta was so puzzled at the girls per-
slstence and so struck by the remarkable per-
sonal and political observations, mingled
with the admiration expressed by her for the
future dictator, that he entered into a con-
tinued correspondence with his clever disci-
letters nv Mt
which gradually rpened into friendship and
that into love which lasted uninterrupt-
eddy up to the moment of his premature
death.
For long time Gambetta had been anx-
ious to "regularize the position" of Leonie,
proposed to marry Mile. Leon, but
each time she distinctly refused, saying it
was too late. Ten years ago it would have
been possible, but now, amidst the jealousy
and envy you provoke marriage would be a
drawback to your career. 1 sacrificed myself
voluntarily to you; don't marry me-" But
Gambetta remained firm in his determination
to rival her generosity. Last year, while on
visit to the Chateau de Crete, he told his
father he was to be married the following
April For those who knew the two men
this announcement meant that nothing on
earth could change Leon Gambettas decis-
ion.
Mile Leon is a tall, slight brunette of dis
tinguished bearing and manner. She talks
well, reads a great deal and is extremely well
educated. At present she is living with her
mother in a badly-furnished apartment on
the fourth floor of No. IA Rue Soufflot
Gambetta, as every body knows. died intes-
tate, the doctors having kept him in igno-
rance of his true condition for fear of giving
him what they termed serious shock"
His entire fortune, estimated at about a
million of francs, therefore went to his legal
family.
Nine. Leon and his daughter have nothing
beyond the small pension which the govern
ment allows the widows of officers Mile
Leon is uncertain as to her future move
ments, but she will probably be guided by
the advice of Gambetta's old friends among
whom MN. Spuller Banc, Proust and
Etienne are determined never to abandon
one whom they consider as the deceased pa
triots widow.
Until after his death, the following fact
was kept secret even from Gambetta's most
intimate companions:
At the beginning of the friendship be-
tween Mile. Leon and himself they agreed to
write each other daily. Every night during
period of ten years Gambetta regularly
wrote long letter, giving Leonie his opinion
upon the political, parliamentary and
foreign events of the day. In fact he wrote
for her his memoirs from day to day. On
her side Mile. Leon sent daily answers, in
Wnlcn Sne discussed the smallest details and
gave him advice, which was often asked and
followed. In a letter written before the
formation of what was called the Great
Ministry she prophesied the short duration
of the cabinet and implored Gambetta not to
fall into the trap which his enemies had
laid for him.
The whole correspondence is in the hands
OF this modern Egeria, who may some day
make it public though, according to the ac-
cepted fashion in matters of this kind, not,
perhaps, until the people who met with
harsh treatment at Gambettas hands are be-
yond either resentment or self-defense Dur
ing Gambetta's lifetime Mile. Leon took
great interest in the German question. She
read Bismarck speeches with the minutest
care, often pointing out important passages,
which in the press of business her friend and
teacher sometimes overlooked.
Besides rectifying the mistakes about Mile.
Leon, the Figaro has also put an end to the
popular belief that Gambetta had a son, or
sons, as there are two boys connected with
this legend Leon Jouznot, who walked i'm
mediately behind the hearse on the day of
the funeral, was the son OF Gambettas sister,
Nine. Leris, by former marriage The sec
ond boy, who was often seen at Les Jardies,
and whom Gambetta visited in Germany,
was the son of a sister of Mile. Leon.
vanderbilts European Trip.