The Carlisle independent., 1909-06-03

one of which would have killed him. The unfortu- nate man had been stripped of all money, 1eWei ry and other valuables.
 Les Apaches," said the police, stolldly. lie shouId have known better than to go proving about alone at night And in the police records another murder was put on the score or the thugs of the gay capital.
 Paris is not proud of her Apaches and the rest of the world has known little of these criminal bands though theater-goers in many American cities during the last were given glimpse of one phase of their life in the skillful but re- volting Apache dance" imported from the French music halls Yet the story of the origin, de veopment and deeds of these outlaw gangs IS fascinating, if not edifying.
 Nearly ten years ago there appeared suddenly in the underworld of Paris a young woman so beautiful and animated that she at once attract ed general attention and admiration among US other deniZens Her head was crowned with great mass of lovely reddish-gold hair, on ac- count of which she promptly nlcknamed "Casque dor" or Golden Helmet" Suitors quickly focked about the girl and in time she selected from among them as her protector one Lecat. known among his comrades a clever thief and bold fighter whom the police would be glad to have behind the bars.
 All went well for a time, until there came on the scene a more attractive scoundre, named Manda Pretty, fckle Golden Helmet promptly transferred her affections to the newcomer and then the trouble began. Lecat, the forsaken, vowed vengeance on his successful rival and summoned his followers to his aid Manda also had no lack of friends and soon all the thugs in the district of the Halles markets had ranged themselves on one side or the other. Many hloody battle was fought in the streets between the two bands cheered on by their female friends, and not few men were slain in these conflicts. Finally in one of the fercest of the encounters Iecat himself was killed and Golden Helmet shouted aloud in joy. But her triumph was short-lived Another leader for Lecats band, known as "Le Manchot,' sprang up and the feud was continued with increased fury. One night Le Manchot caught Manda off his guard and plunged a knife deep into his back, and for weeks the stricken leader lay in hospital near +o death He recovered at last and was being taken in an ambulance to cell when the blood thirsty I,e Manchot, seeing his victim escaping from his vengeance, broke through the police guard. leaped into the vehicle and stabbed Man da to death For this murder Le Manchot is now serving a life sentence.
 Golden Helmet made notorious by the success sion of battles and crimes which her attractions had nstigated now sought other conquests, and decided that the drama her forte. Only the intervention of the police prevented her explota- tion by an interruptions variety hall manager
 Golden Helmet then speedily sank out or slgnt, hut the rivalry for her favor had lasting results.
 Always the Apaches have one queen whose rule over them is absolute if temporary One of the most notorious of these was "Chifonnette, who reigned last year. She was 23 years oid tall and graceful and would have been beauty