The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-25
Special Correspondence TO THE SUI.


PARIS. April lo.--"My life has been
hell said Capt. Herail of the cuiras-
siers Ia explaining the state OF mind
which impelled him 10 kill his wife when
she refused to leave the front in accord
ancc with the orders OF Gen. JofYre Evil
dence given at the court-martial here
to-day--the verdict OF which was not
guilty. with all the honors due an officer
found innocent OF an accusation brought
AGAINST him"--toid in all Its poignancy
tnis drama Of the ten year fight between
feminine Jealousy and military law. the
penalty Of which was the womans life.
There is not the slightest doubt that
lIerail was az devoted to his wife as she
was in love with him. For years he
scarcely left her side. There was not
even hint that the French rule,
"Cherchez la femme would lead to any
other explanation OF the tragedy than
that given by the husband.
The court artial was convened in
the palais dc Justice here. one of the
chief witnesses was Capt. Boucomand.
who has just received the Legion OF
Honor for gallantry in action. Capt.
Boucomand. not yet recovered from a
severe wound, walked with difficulty. but
refused the chair offered him. lie was a
close friend OF capt. and Nine. Herail.
lie described their household as "A model
one. each having absolute confidence in
the other, and neither ever even play
fully teasing or accusing the other.
Mime. Herail would reproach her hus-
band for not giving her more Of his
time. but understood II was his duty
that prevented him. She was charm
, ing young woman OF the greatest sim
pliCity. She was always with him. Capt.
Boucomand declared emphaticaliy. He
had often warned her OF the bad effect
her undisCiplined conduct must have ON
her husbands career and he believed
the tragedy was the outcome OF Herail 3
attempt TO reconcile his wife and his
duty.
Nominated Tor Honor Legion.
When the order Tor nj biization was
issued Capt Herail accompanied his
I regiment of cuirassiers to Lorraine. He
fought bravely through the eastern cam
paign. took part In the battle OF the
Marine and distinguished himself enough
to have his name proposed FOR the Lee
giun Of Honor. In November. when the
self stationed at Compiegne. Nine.
ierail was al Narbonne. in the south o'
France. with her three children. With
out consulting any one or wainir; her
husband she obtained permit and went
10 compiegne. where she lodged in a
hotel. Her presence became known to
Lieut.. col. Moineville OF capt. Herairs
regiment, who ported out TO his officers
that discipline must he observed on
,i..- h. l.ttf for N 10 mol
again spoke OF the matter to his officers.
telling them TO assure him that the
order had been obeyed.
Capt. Herail. after an attempt TO
avoid "a direct reply. confessed that his
wife was still in the town. During
these days the captain had always taken
his meals at the regimental mess. and
slept in the house where he was offi-
cially billeted. his wife remaining at
the hotel. Giving no explanation of his
dsobedience TO orders and Offering no
'xcuse, he was condemned TO two weeks
arrest. his name to be erased from the
Legion OF Honor nominations. More
over he was warned that he was rsking
trial before court-narial and
being sent from the fighting lines TO
a depot. where his work would be drill
ing recruits.
Major Roucnez was sent on december
gers Of his position. lie found Herail at
his wife's hotel During an interview
that lasted nearly All hour. Mime. Herail
remained Ia an adjoining room. Capt.
herail wrote down a copy Of the pun
ishueLt he was mourning and took 1t
into his wifes room.
Her Final Refusal.
There, according to his own state
meut. he said to her,
Il must he able to declare that YOU
viii leave AT once.
II will not -
II order YOU to GO
Il will not carry out your order. and
if YOU give me such an order. all is
over between us for life
lierail left the room, entered the
room where the major was still wait
ing. took his service revolver, unseen
by the MAORI and returned to his wife.
is it yes or no.
NO"
Three shots were heard The major
rushed in and found Nine. Herail dead,
shot through tho head To the majors
words. What have YOU done" Herail
replied
she would not leave. so now she
will 60. feet first :"
Seven officers in uniform were the
judges. The accused officer. in uni
form, with mourning band on his
arm not ulaped in tho dock hut