CALF LOVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 199, 20 August 1904, Page 13

CALF LOVE.

A TRAGIC ENDING. Marcel Palllard, the youngest son (aged is) ot the owner of the restaurant at the corner of the Boulevard dcs Italiena and the Roe de la Chaussee dAn tin, has blown his brains out for love of a girl one year older than himself, because she refused to take his suit seriously. He asked her to call at his rooms, and shot himself ln her presence, falling dead st her feet. The girl Is the sister of an old schoolfellow of his, and he had known ber four or five years. A romantic boy-and-girl love affair sprang up between them, and they corresponded assiduously and tenderly. Bnt the girl, as she grew up, realised that the childish attachment could not end ln a match, and must cease, and told Marcel so. He was heart-broken, and pleaded with her, bnt ln vain. At last he sadly agreed to look upon Mdlle. B. as his sister, and to give her back her letters In exchange for his. uoth boy and girl had been brought up In English fashion, and were allowed out together. Mdlle. B. even calling on Marcel alone In his studio, a proceeding which wonld horrify

THE ORDINARY HUN OF FRENCH PARENTS beyond expression. Marcel Palllard waa studying painting. His father had rerted a studio for him at Montmartre, and it was there that the tragedy happened. The boy made an appoint—ent, which he said was to be the last, with Mdlle. B. at the door of her piano teacher' sheuse. On leaving after her lesson the girl found Marcel waiting ln a cab. He asked her to drive with him to his studio, where he would return her letters ln exchange tor his, which she had brought with her. She was in her usual good spirits, and he seemed lighthearted, apparently treating the breaking-off of the engagement as a mockserious affair, half Joking with ber about It. When they reached the studio he told her, still laughingly, that he had prepared a surprise for her, and that she would never guess what It was. On entering the apartment he suddenly locked the door and pat the key tn his pocket. She naked Mm in alarm what he was thinking of, and what he meant to do. "Don't be afraid," he answered. "1 love you passionately, bat too well not te respect you. I will net so much as touch yon. What I am going to do Is to kill myself now for yonr sake." This said, he instantly whipped a revolver out of his pocket, put a bullet through his brain, and FELL DEAD AT THE GIRL'S FEET before she could make a movement. Her screams brought assistance, but too late. The boy's lifeless body waa found on the floor, while Mdlle. B. had fallen teem U a

swoon near by. According to the police inquiry, the unfortunate youth's behaviour latterly had been strange, and his mint appeared unhinged. He was, however, i bright, clever, and lovable boy, and a favourite with all his friends, young and old.