Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-19

CANNES, France, Feb. 18.--Most in
tense excitement was caused in the
large American colony today by the an
nouncement that one of the most prom
inent visitors at the place, Edward Par
ker Deacon, native of the United
States, had shot and killeda Frenchman
connected with the diplomatic service
named Arbeille. The story is an old
one. A handsome woman mated to q
man whom she betrays, forgetting him
in her iniatuation or fancy for another
man, and bringing shame and sorrow
upon herfamily.
Deacon and wife had been sojourninl
for some time past at the Hotel Splen
dide with their four children. For a
time Deacon had suspected that his wife
was unduly intimate with Arbeille, and
kept close watch. Last night he dis
covered Arbeille in his wife's chamber.
He summoned the secretary of the ho-
tel, and together they went to Mrs.
Deacon's apartment and forced the
door. Mrs. Deacon was alone. Her
husband proceeded to an adjoining
room, and there discovered Arbeille at.
tempting to hide himself behind a
chair. Deacon levelled revolver at
the man and fired three shots, fatally
wounding the Frenchman.
Deacon was at once arrested but it is
the general opinion among the American
residents here that he did ''just the
right thing"
Another report of the affair says Dea-
con had gone up to Paris, but returned
suddenly and went straight to his wife's
bedroom. Mrs. Deacon, it appears, had
no idea that her husband would return
so soon. Rumor has it that Deacon s
unexpected return was caused by an
anonymous letter, said to have been
written by jealous woman.
When Deacon burst into the bedroom
he found, as the story has it, his wife
in bed, and M. Arbeille standing by the
bedside, evidently having sprung out
of bed with the intention of escaping.
After having reproached his wife. who
moaned with terror, and crawling from
bed, tell on her knees and piteously i'm
plored him to forgive her, the American
is said to have turned his wrath upon
Arbeille, who had professed the
utmost friendship for the con-
fiding husband, and after upbraid-
ing him, fired three shots. The French
man screamed with agony and fell back
on the mat in front of the bed and died.
Deacon then turned to his wife and
said: "Killing is too good for you; you
shall be reserved for worse fate. You
shall live to have the finger of scorn
pointed at you during the rest of your
life. Never let me see your deceitful
face again."
Mrs. Deacon at these words gave a
shrek and fell flat on her face in a
swoon.
Mrs. Deacon was a most attractive
woman. She dressed with exquisite taste
and was an object OF considerable atten-
tion upon the part of men. Nobody,
however, for moment imagined that
she was engaged in anything more than
a harmless Irritation. M. Arbeille was
memberof the French legation and
bachelor. He had been intimately
acquainted with the Deacons for some
time.
1t is not expected that Deacon will
remain long in the custody of the police.
1t was evident from the first that he had
the sympathy of everybody, and the
POA1CC ailOWCQ A1Al w pass thO ulSh0 az
the hotel. 1t is reported that United
States Minister Reid has taken per-
sonal interest in the case, and is doing
everything possible for Mr.. Deacon.
His wife, on the other hand, is not the
recipient of much sympathy.
The Deacons, or at least Mr.. Deacon,
came from Boston. They have lived
abroad for about fifteen years. Mrs.
Deacon is daughter of the late Admiral
Baldwin, U. s. N, and wealthy in her
own right.
In Europe and America they moved
in the very best circles. They have not,
it is said, been living happily for some
time, as the husband is said to have be-
come jealous, owing to excessive flirting
by his wife.
Boston, Feb. 1s.-But little can be