Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-08-30

well known III MarSellleS that he
was deeply attached to the deceased
lady.
The police thought they had IA
clue.
The next thing was to ascertain
the movements Of the major.
The date of his return from Eng
land was procured from the War
Office-August ID, 1903, just eight
days before the preparation of the
sacrilege. He had subsequently
been ordered to Italy; the day of
his departure was duly recorded,
and from minute inquiries set on
foot, it was ascertained beyond a
doubt that he was accompanied by
a lady closely yelled.
Finally he was traced to Stras.
burg where he was then living
openly with II lady who passed as
Madame de Beaurepaire, and this
person unquestionably bore a
striking likeness to the deceased
Madame LIE Nome.
The cause came before the tribu-
mails, and the novelty of the case
excited universal attention.
Madame de Beaurepaire had to
appear and answer any questions
that might be put to her. When
confronted with Monsieure LIE
Moine, she appeared astounded at
the assertions of that gentleman.
Monsieur de Feron, who was
summonded from Marseilles, was al
so struck by the extraordinary re-
semblance to his daughter that he
burst into tears; but as the lady,
instead of evincing any correspond
ing emotion, surveyed him with a
look of cold surprise, he was too be-
wildered to express an opinion
either way.
Papers were produced, setting
forth that Madame de Beaurepaire
was the child of French parents,
long settled in Canada; that after
their death she had been sent tc
England, where Major de Beaure.
paire, at that time prisoner on pa
role had married her. The document
al evidence appeared satisfactory. Al
all events, Monsieur lie Nome made
no attempt to invalidate it; posi-.
bly, because any effort in that direc.
ton would have been nugatory SC
long as hostilities continued be-
tween France and England.
On the other hand, several III
habitants of Marseilles, who had
known Madame LIE Nome previous
to and subsequent to her marriage
swOre to her identity.
M. lie Enthusiastically the least
likely to be mistaken--never once
wavered in his belief that Madame
de Beaurepaire and his supposed
deceased wife were one and the
same person.
Pamphlets were exchanged be-
tween members of the Faculty to
prove that the supposed death
might have heen case of lethagy
but the hours were reckoned in
which Madame LIE Nome must
have existed in this state, and it
appeared that no instance of so
prolonged trance could be adduced.
Major de Beaurepaire contented
himself with saying very little; and
if pressed upon the subject candidly
acknowledged that when he first
made his wife's acquaintance he
was attracted by resemblance
perhaps more fancied than real
to the young lady he had known
some years before at Marseilles.
The pleadings terminated Oh
both sides, and the day fixed for the
final judgement of the case arrived.
No one doubted which way the ver-
dict would go, nor that Monsieur
lie Moine would be bafiied in his
strange pursuit Of another mans
wife. This gentleman, however, as
a sequel will show, by no means
despaired even then Of establishing
his claim.
The court was crowded.
All the members of the tribunal
were assembled when Monsieur lie
Nome, leading little girl by the
hand, quietly threaded his way
towards table in the center of the
hall, where Madame de Beaurepaire
sat, her face buried in her hands.
A little hand gently pulled hers
away, and a little voice said sadly;
do not leave me again, mamma.
Madame de Beaurepaire gave the
child one bewildered loook; then,
throwing her arms round it, burst
into passion of tears. The moth
er's heart had conquered.