A MOTHER'S DILEMMA.

Is it possible for a mother ta be mistaken as to the identity of her own child? ' The ca9c of Pauline Picard suggests that it is possible. M. and Mine. Picard. who live near St. Rivoal, m Brittany, reported on April 6 that the little girl, who was two years old, was missing. ■ A few days ago they heard that their little girl had been found at Cherbourg, and Mine. Picard hurried there. She hesitated before recognising the child, who wore different clothes, was in. a' highly nervous state, and seemingly dumb, but later both the mother and the father were, satisfied iibout the little girl's identity. The .child herself improved in the healt-hy environment of the Picards' farm with eight brothers and sisters to play with. .':' The parents' doubts returned when " the mutilated body of a child was found hot far from their home, with a bundle of clothes close by. All the garments Pauline wore the day she disappeared were in the bundle. Moreover, M. Picard, who. submitted to the ordeal of examining the body, believes that he recognises his little' daughter's hair. Who, then, is the waif of Cherbourg living happily on the farm as Pauline Picard ?'"..-.. In view of the parents' uncertainty, the Magistrates investigating the case have been seriously embarrassed.. The evidence of the autopsy is that the body was mauled and partially eaten by foxes or other wild' beasts, but two persona have testified that the body was not at the.spot where it was found two weeks ago. The body was buried under the name of Pauline'Picard. M. and Mme. Picard followed the coffin to the grave, and have gone into mourning. The child on the farm wa6 recognised

as their sister hy her playmates, but t the,.niother answers all queries with an "anguished "I don't know. She is so like any Pauline. I don't know!"