Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-08-06
THE BEAUTIFUL SPY
WHO HAS BEEN ACTING AS SPAlN's
SECRET AGENT HERE.

An American Woman Whose Husband
Was u Spaninrd Relieving Hin, Killed
Through American Agency, Takes Her
Revenge.
The most valuable spy Spain has in
the United States is woman, daugh-
ter OF one of the best families. The
story is a strange one, and sad and for
romantic character Will find few equals
during the present war.
Mile. Josephine de Chappelle was the
daughter Of Il Canadian segneur who
had little time or desire for society
His mother-little daughter was In
trusted to the care Of Madame Lamar
eaux who introduced her in Montreal
circles. Josephine was given a thor
ough education at the Convent Of the
Sacred Heart and later Eassar Col
lege. Her great friend was the wife Of
Lieutenant de POltraS OF the French
navy. and Josephine spent never-to-
be-forgotten winter as her guest in
Paris.
One of Lieutenant de Poltras' great
est chums was Lieutenant Concas OF
the Spanish Royal Navy. His atten-
ton was attracted to one of Mile de
Chappelles photographs and he be-
came much interested in the beautiful
into a flame and though Lieutenant
Concas had never seen the original he
was soon desperately in love with the
picture. When the caravels sent by
Spain TO the Columbian exposition ar
rived in the port of Montreal an in
PRODUCTION between the Spanish OFF,
Ger and the Canadian belle was a mat.
ter Of course and before the caravels
left Canada they were engaged.
TWO years ago Concas returned to
Canada on his way to Washington. and
at the same time Josephine visited an
old friend at the capital. While in
Washington they were quietly married
The marriage was kept secret that the
future diplomatic career OF the young
husband should not be jeopardizctl His
position had been obtained through
the influence Of Il man who hoped to
we'd him to his own daughter and
Concas did not dare to tell the truth.
The bridegroom was sent on Sc
cret mission to Cuba and the bride re-
turned to Canada. Communication be-
tween them was uncertain, for his
work carried him to distant parts of
the island. At last, after months of
silence. Josephine heard through her
friend Nine. de Poltras that the name
lished among those killed by the in
surgents in an explosion at Santiago
de Cuba. She enclosed copy of the
ofllcial report, which stated that the
explosives were supplied from the
United States and that the laying Of
the mines had been done under the
superintendent Of American engin-
GERS.
Ioserhine's hatred for the Americans
became very bitter. Her sympathies
were naturally with Spain. and she
was ready to believe the Spanish re-
port She called at the Spanish lega-
ton in Canada as soon as war was de-
clared. and suggested that she obtain
information for the use of the Span
iards. Her long residence in Washing
ton and her many friends in diplomatic
circles made her peculiarly fitted for
such work. and though her pride re-
VOTED at the thought, her hatred and
revenge made her eager to be of service
to the country Of her husband Though
1t is not positively known. still it is
generally believed, that she did secret
work in both Washington and New
York. She has been regarded by the
representatives of the United States
government as very dangerous enc
my. She is brilliant woman, speaks
English and French equally we'll, and
without the least suspicion of an ac-
cent, and had while laying her plans
the great advantage of a close ac-
quaintance with influential people in
some OF the largest cities of the United
States.
It is suspected that her special mis-
sion on her first trip was to operate
through her friendships with the
daughters OF cabinet minister, and OF
an official of the state department al
Washington. who were her school
mates both at the Sacred Heart con.
vent and at Vassar, to obtain some es-
sential information
In June, when there were prospects
OF CarranZa and his associates being
expelled from the country. Josephine
suddenly returned to Montreal living
in rented flat near the historic Span
ism Headquarters on Topper street.