The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-19
PARTISAN SENSATION.
ROMANTIC STORY OF LOVE
HATE, DUELS. AND DEATH.

How Lieutenant Wernert Fought. Res
cued His Inamorata. was Tried for De-
sertion and TriumphantIy Acquitted
Latest From Foreign Lands.
Especial TO The Times by Dunlap C..ble 90. !
PARIS. Oct. 1S.--The brief paragraphs
that appeared in this mornings papers
giving the fact that Lieutenant Wernert
had been tried and acquitted on the charge
Of desertion gave no intimation OF the TO
mantle and sensational circumstances that
lie back Of the duels and other ofienses that
prompted the arrest Of the Lieutenant. II
will be remembered that Wernert fought two
duels and then disappeared. When he
returned he claimed that his disappearance
came from fear that the death Of one Of his
opponents might cause him trouble, and
that he was in no sense influenced by any de-
sire 90 leave the army or shirk its duties.
He declared. upon his honor as an officer
and q gentleman, that the reason for
his duels was family one Of the
0rayest Importance, and should never
be made public. A Dalziel reporter
has succeeded in learning the true
inwardness OF the whole affair. and it turns
out 10 be a story better suited 20 the Middle
Ages than this practical century, for il is
made up Of love. hate, duels and death.
THE HERO OF THE DRAMA.
Lieutenant Wernert is an Alsatian, aged
twenty-seyen. lie is considered brave
officer, and served with marked distinction
in TOnquin. lie is handsome, and has al
ways been a fayorite among his comrades.
In May last he disappeared, and for three
months there was no trace of him, and 30
message came from him to indicate his
whereabouts. At the end Of that time il
was learned that Wernert was then. and
had been, at the home Of his parents at
at Schlestradt, in Alsace. When
this discovery was made the French
papers almost unanimously condemned
him as a deserter TO Germany, and went 50
far as TO say that he had sold charts OF the
defenses of TOulOn TO the enemy. His
friends were naturally aghast at the charge.
since death alone would be the punishment
if he were caught. AS soon as Wernort
saw the attacks on his honor he made up
his mind not TO delay, but TO return at once
and face the music, with what result has
already been told.
LIGHT OK THE MYSTERY.
Now comes the love part Of the story.
which lets in the light upon the whole ai-
fair. Some time ago Wernert loved beau
tiiul girl, who returned his affection, and
marriage was arranged between them.
But the villain of the drama made his ap-
pearance i'm the usual style. This was an
Italian Prince. and be soon began
TO pay court TO the Lieutenants beau
tiful fancee. She was fascinated by his
manners and his title, and listened 10
his words of devotion. But Werner would
not give her up without a struggle. aud hc
warned her of her peril and assured her
that the intentions of her royal admirar
were anything but honorable. Then be-
snatched her from the clutches Of her would
be seducer by threatening 10 Kill him If
anything happened 10 the girl.
DUELs TO DEATH.
Upon this the Prince sent challenge to-
the young lieutenant. who accepted 1t. The
meeting took place in the laticr's garden.
and the weapons chosen were swords. NJ
ter some passes Werncrt ran the Prince
through the body, and he was carried on
unconscious and died soon after. Deter
mined to punish the bold young man
and ayenge his friends death, one
OF the Princes seconds sent Ncrhcrt
another challenge, which again heaccepted.
The scene was the same spot in the
garden where the former duel had taken
place. The surroundings were all the
same, Only lulS lllllc IL was ui-uts W u'H
the cOmbatants met. they had 90 fight 10y
the glimmering light given by few lam
terms which were furnished by the seconds.
In this encounter Lieutenant Mcrner was
slightly wounded, but his opponent suffered
as seriously as his royal friend, and like him
was carried OF the field unconscious, and %
is believed has since died. These are the
facts that led 10 the Lieutcnant's flight. for
on hearing the tragic result of his action
he became fearful of the consequences ana
fled the country. Before the court martial
he refused to throw any light on the matter
or 10 furnish any proofs of his innocence.
He merely SAID. " DO with me as y.u|
please" Luckily for him, the real story, az
above given, was known to the Court, and
the trial resulted in his acquttal, as told
yesterday.
THE LAST ACT.
Meanwhile Wernert is the hero of the
hour, but the girl whom he saved from dis
honor and for whom he risked his lite twice
at the swords point Of challenging antag-
Onists, and once at that Of military iri-
bunal, has gone TO IA convent. The last act
therefore, in this interesting drama remains
to be acted out.