The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-20
Detained at The Barge Office 10 Await Ar
rival Of Papers From France.
SHE TELLS HER STORY TO REPORTER.
Husband Is a Successful Merchant, but Has
Caussd Rai Gsal kontal Anguish PCnled
hevsIVer at Her viii Rgn Away Again.

New York, Sept 20-A young woman
and her son, in his seventh year, OF
arstocratic appearance, arrived on the
French steamship La Bretagne on sun
day, and are detained at the Barge
office az the request Of the French con-
sui general.
She gave her name as Louise Mouret,
but II is Elonore Girard. she has fled
from her husband, Louis Girard, with
their child, and this offense is grave.
But she defends herself. impressively,
with resigned smiles and lights of pride
OF bravery and % indelible sincerity in
her large brown eyes.
She said: II know that my husband
has the legal right TO expect that l shall
be led back 10 him between two gend-
armes. | have not been CLEVER enough
10 elude him; i have been caught; /
have lost. But. If / am forced to re-
turn TO him, this will not palliate his
fault.
He beats me, he threatens TO kill me
with revolver; he is a despot. refuse
TO be his slave. / have been patient
for seven years. / have hesftated u
punish him. 4 have asked myself If j
had the right 20 run away and TO de-
prive him OF his child.
Nothing in my behavior explained or
excused his cruelty. He was violent at
one moment, and at the next obsequi-
Gus. He aimed the revolver al my
head, and then let III TAN. begging my
pardon with tears that were real. |
have some times thought that he might
be crazy; but he isn't.
"A BurMundian. 20 years of age, !
strong, handsome. successful in his af-
fairs as a lace merchant in Luray, |
France, he lacks common sense. That |
is all. He imagines that a wife is a
victim, naturally. He has seen Punch
beat his wife in a puppet show and
taken him as a model.
"Oh, l suppose shall have to return
TO him. But / will not endure the ca
prices OF his temperament again. I
wanted divorce from him, but j would
have to prove his cruelty, and cannot.
He never made a physical mark of his
violence. My sufferings were principal
ly mental.
II had a witness-my maid. But my
lawyer said that the French tribunal
would discredit her because she was
my servant. In company, in the pres
ence of his friends. there was never q
more gentle, amiable husband than
Louis Girard. But when we were alone
how different he was
II could not live in that hypocrisy. /
saved from my household expenses all
the funds i could gather until l had
money enough To pay for my fare to
New York and about 5000 more. Then
fled with my SON. His fathers ex-
ample would have ruined him.
II have never worked, but 1 can
work. i will do anything that is hon
orable rather than return TO my hus-
band. / came to America because l
havs always heard that women here
have the rights that men have. hope
that my appeal for protection may not
be rejected.
IF II is rejected-well. then, ! will
go to some other country when / run
away again from my husbands tyran-
ny. My parents are dead, / have no
relatives. My son depends upon me en-
tirely TO become strong pralseworthy
man. cannot speak English, but will
learn Il quickly"
The, boy, in blue sailor dress. wore a
wide-brimmed straw hat on the black
band OF which was inscribed I'm silver
letters the heroic name OF Brennus.
He has a round. white and pink. healthy
face and blue eyes. He is enchantingly
turbulent
Mrs. Girards expression had infin-
ite tenderness when she looked at him.
The Consul-General said that he knew
no details OF her husbands complaint
against her. The Consul-General's ac-
ZION IN asking the Comma sioners 70
detnin her was in obedience 10 an order
by cable dispatch. He is To receive for.
mai papers. Until they are received
the question OF Mrs. Grard's deporta-
ton is TO be deferred.