The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-28
a POOR FRENcn GIRLS RoMANcF
To Marry her Dead Mistress Son who was
Lpat-F FuifitiinE the Mothers Will.

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Lpat-F FuifitiinE the Mothers Will.
NGw YoRk, Oct. 27.-A veritabie re
nance in real life, the f.cts oi which ar
vouched for by the attorneys Of the youn
lady in the case, has been developed b
his efforts to prepare the way for the ad
mils;on to probate Of will by which sh
was made joint heiress Of valuable ea
tate upon conditions which are now ii
course OF fultillment
In 1871 Joseph W. Walters, a NeV
York broker, living with his vile and onl!
son in Greene avenue, near St James
place, Brooklyn, died, leaving fortune o
$lO0,0OO 70 his widow. She was at tha
time about iorty-eight years oil, aud he
son, Lester D. Walters, Was sixteen. The
boy was OF rowing disposition, ant
wearyirg OF the strict discipline Of hi.
mothers household, he resolved to leavt
home and seek his fortune in the West
Having saved little money from the al
lowance which Mrs. Walters gave him, ht
packed his trunk one day. informed hlt
mother Of his intention, and took 3 sud
den departure. His mother thought he
would soon see the error Of his ways, and
was prepared 70 kill the fatted calf as soor
aSthe prodigal shouldreturu. Time passed
ID and no tidings Of the truant
were received Alter while the
lone y widow inserted an advertise
ment in New York newspaper calling
for a young lady companion. Among
those who applied for the position was
Miss Marie De Lacy, . yonsg French girl.
who had been brought up in Paris, and
found herself without friends in this coun-
try. She was Of prepossessing appearance
and manner, was an accomplished reader
and conversationalis., and was atine plan
ist. She was engaged, aud was soon the
trusted friend OF the lonely occupant OF
the hroWnstone mansion in Green avenue.
They continued to i've in this home for
several years, aud then, nothing having
bseR heard from young Walters, who was
mourned as one dead, they went to Europe
and spent two years in travel, going as far
as Palestine. Mrs. Walters became
strongly attached to the young woman and
treated her as daughter.
'.Tne will is at my Office" said Lawyer
Griffith yesterday to the reporter who
called upon him at his home, No. 1888
Madison STREET, Brooklyn, "bus its exact
terms are nearly as follows:
~ give, devise and bequeath all my
property, both real and personal, of every
kind and nature, wheresoeVer the same
may be situated in trust upon the follow.
ing conditions: First, 1t is my will and
intention that my friend, Marie De Lacy,
after my decease shall faithfully search
for and find, II possible, my son Lester D.
Walters, and il the said Lester D. Walters
is unmarried It Is my wish that he and my
friend Marie De Lacy join in the bonds oil
holy wPdlock. II either my son or my
friend, Marie De Lacy, shall not consent
10 the said marriage then the share here
matter mentioned shall revert to the one
who refuses to abide by my wish. Second,
il my said son, lester D. Walters, refuses
TO abide by my wish, give and devise
and bequeath to him one quarter OF my
estate, both real and personal, and the
remaining three-quarters give, devise
and beaueath to my friend, Marie De Lacy;
and II said marriage takes place, | give de-
wise and bequeath oil my property, both
real and personal. TO my beloved son,
Lester D. Walters, and my beloved friend,
Marie De Lacy, to be divided between
them equally, share and share alike. The
expenses growing out Of the search for my
son to be paid out Of my estate.'" II
Mr.. Griffith said that two years ago he
was introduced by a well-known Wall
street operator and owner Of silver mines
in Mexico who did not wish his name to
be published, to Miss De Lacy, who was
living with friends in West Flfty.seventh
street, in this city; that having learned the
facts Of the case, and having also learned
from schoolmate OF Mr.. Walters that he
was said to be in Mexico. he advertised for
him in Mexican newspaper. The advers
was answered by Mr.. Walters.
who came to this city recently. By pre-.
arrangement the lawyer took
Mr.. Walters to the Bijou Theatre one
night about six weeks ago, where Miss De
Lacy and Mr.. GrifEith's friend occupied
box. The young lady was pointed out to
Mr. Walters, who fell in love with her at
first sight. They were introduced after
the play and the party went TO Delmoni-
co.'s. Mr, Walters, who did not know who
she was, and knew nothing OF the terms OF
the will visited her atterward, and they
became engaged to be married. Then the
lawyer explained the little plot to Mr..
Walters by which they had been'brought
together, and told him about the will.
Mr.. Walters was pleased, and the wedding
will take place next Friday.