Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-24
Begged Widow
 to Forgive Her
MISS FRANCE PLEADS DEEP AZ.
 FICTION FOR COUCH
RELEASED FROM JAIL
Police AbsoIve Her From All Respon-
 sibiIity For Lawyers Death-Was Voluntary Prisoner For Three Years.

Monticello, N. r., Dec. 23.-Miss Ade- 1aide Brance, the woman who was with Melvin H. Couch, former district attor- ney of Sullivan county, when he died suddenly Sunday morning in his office, was given her freedom late this after noon, the authorities having failed to connect her with the death of the man for whom she immured herself for three years.
 Though freed now even onf the charge of petty larceny, on which she was held pending an investigation asked permission to remain & vol untary prisoner for two or three days
 Is Anxious to Die.
 T cannot face the world now," she said today. T am sick at heart and sick physically"
 Sheriff Kinne will permit the woman to stay long enough to regain her strength. She is destitute and says she has no place to which she might go. Today she expressed the wish to die and be buried beside the dead man.
 Miss Brance refuses to give any in formation as to her relatives, saying that she does not wish to bring dis- grace upon them.
 Couple Had QuarreIed.
 It was learned today that Miss Brance and Couch quarreled shortly before the mans death. The woman told Couch she wished to visit an old time friend over the holidays. To this the lawyer would not listen. He grew excited, and Miss Branoe, fearing 8 scene, finally promised that she would remain with him. A few minutes aft erwards the aged man fell over on the couch. She ran out to get a physi- elan, but on her return found the law yer dead.
 Couch was buried this afternoon from the residence of his wife.
 A Voluntary Prisoner.
 Is was due to the discovery of the presence of the woman by the widow when she was led to explore a room in his offices her husband had always forbidden her to enter that the story became known and the manner of the life for three years of voluntary pris- oner revealed.
 Miss France told the prosecutor that many years ago she lived in Goshen. N. Y., but facts concerning her early life she withheld. After much quss- tioning she told of her life in the little room opening off Couch's offices, of how she never went cut except at night, then only when she was sure no one would ses her, and how she lived on provisions brought to her by the law yer, and through it all was happy be- cause she loved and was loved.
 5ess Widows Forgfvensss.
 she said she was 4O years old and had been a book agent, but stopped there, except to add that it was while trying to interest Couch in a, book 1b years ago that their friendship began, They met at frequent intervals after that time. she said, until about three years ago, when they concluded that haf a first could be prolonged to & week, then weeks and finally te her taking up living quarters in the lawyers of- fee,
 When confronted by the widow of the man with whom she had lived tn secret for so long, Miss Brance begged forgiveness. crying piteously: T loved him. I loved him."
 Shows Evidence Of Refinement.
 Although her hair is streaked with gray, and her face pallid from her en- forced confinement, Miss Brance'S voice Is well modulated and the quR1t- ty of tone bespeaks education and
 At the county jai1 Miss France has denied herself to all callers, saying that she desired only to be permitted to leave the scene of her love and to be forgotten.
 Saw Funeral from Her Cell.
 From cell in the jail Whar6 she was held on a technical charge the woman the cemetery. She had expressed wish to be at the graveside, but the lawyers widow forbade it.
 Couch died on the lounge in his of- flee early Sunday morning, His conn., panion, shrieI1ing, gave the alarm and summoned a policeman, Then for the first time it became known that for three years she had, for the love of the man. existed in tiny quarter of the office partitioned off as & eombina- ton sleeping. living room and kitchen,
 FriendIv for Fifteen Years.
 Couch visited his wife and daughter at his home every Sunday, but spent most of his time in his efaiee. Ths Branee wo1fian says she loved him de- yotedly that he returned her love, and that their relations dated back 1S years, when she as beck agent chaneed to call on him,
 The woman looks pale and haggaFd today, She was young and attractive looking 10 years ago. but her devotion to Couch and the secret alliance and it's incident confinement have aged her terribly. She has refused to discuss the case, saying that she wishes to drop out of sight in order not te cause the Couch family any mere netoriety,
 Native of New York.
 Late today Miss Brance gave the first hint as to her anteeedents.
 q was born in Hardwick, near Coop erst0wn, N Y. where my brother is employed in the pestef1ce," she said. My father and mother are dead. But that is all propose to tell of nay fam fly history. What happened to ms be- fore I came to Monticello, Is years ago, I feel concerns nobody"