The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-11-13
DR.. BERGER'S Death
RECALLS ROMANCE
OF AMERICA
FORTY YEARS THE SURGEON RE.
NAMED TIE ElANcE OF MILE.
PREvosT.PARADOL - CONVENT
WALLS HELD HER.
BY MARQUIS oE cAsTeLLANE.

PARIS, Nov. i3-One OF the most
celebrated surgeons, Or. Berger. has
fallen on the field OF honor. dying ut
the very moment he was operating on
workingwoman for cancer IN the
Neckar hospital. II Is not TO tell you
that DR.. Berger was one OF our great
men that | recall his death.
There was an American romance
In his life.
IL began In France 40 years ago and
ended In tragic fashion in the Unit
ed States.
1t was in June. 1870. Preyost-Para-
dol. celebrated journalist, had just
arrived in Washington TO take his po-
sition as minister OF France. His
daughter. In all her youth and beauty,
accompanied him. Behind her she
had left her nance. who had promised
eternal fidelity. But the Franco-Ger-
man war broke out Prevost'Paradol.
caught between his loyalty TO the EN-
pire and his duty TO France. lost his
courage and killed himself.
Berger rushed 10 rejoin the poor
girl left fatherless. He arrived too
late. Heartbroken, Mile. Prevost-Par-
adol had retired TO a convent Not all
her fance's pleadings could change
her determination. She became a
nun.
For 40 years Berger kept faith with
her; he never married--he scarcely
spoke TO a woman; he was always the
fiance OF Mile. Prevost-Paradol.
A sensational marriage is that OF
the Countess Sophie Brancka, widow
OF Prince Strozzi, with Monsieur Hal
pert. Sensational for three reasons:
The first reason is that II unites two
names, one OF which Is the most illus
trious In Poland. while the other is
utterly unknown.
The second reason Is that II unites
the members of two religions not
usually sympathetic-for the countess
IS Catholic and NJ. Halpert is OF
Jewish faith.
The third and still more sensational
fact Is that they married for love.
A strange military romance was
related at a court-martial at Chalons,
where Victor Msrcwalker, warrant
officer. was tried for desertion. Under
false name, the man had rejoined
the army, and atoned for his fault by
winning medals and promotion.
MaFewaiker Joined the Ninety-fourth
infantry In 1890. at the age OF twenty
one. Not long afterward he deserted
to avoid arrest for stealing provisions
from the regimental store, where he
was clerk In charge. Three years aft
er a court-martial in his absence SEN
fenced him TO twenty years penal
servitude.
In 1895 he enlisted I'm the Foreign
Legion under the name OF Walck. AMI
was sent to Algeria. He proved an ex-
cellent soldier, and was quickly pro-
NOTED to sergeant. and then TO SER
geant-major. He fought In all the
French colonial wars In Madagascar
and Tonkins, and earned three medals
Walck was recently promoted 10
warrant rank as reward for dis'
tinguished service. and was recon-
mended for the military medal, the
most coveted decoration French sol
der can receive.
| Returning to France on furlough,
Walck. or Marcwalker. In a moment
of acute conscience surrendered TO the
gendarmes at Chalons as a deserter
announcing his real name.
| The court-martial acquitted Marc
walker. considering that he had fully
atoned for his early crimes by his sub
sequent long service, gallantry and de-
yotion to duty.