IDYLL'S TRAGIC END.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 65, 16 March 1907, Page 13

IDYLL'S TRAGIC END.

MURDER AND SUICIDE BY A LAWYER.

A romantic meeting between an elderly Sicilian lawyer and a fascinating Parisienne has had a tragic sequel in Paris.

Four years ago the Sicilian, who was nearly 60 years of age, was living quietly in a cottage at Palermo on a small income, having given up the practice of the law. One day, as he was near the land-ing-stage where the passengers of a ship from Tunis were debarked, a young woman nearly fell into the water. He saved her, and showed her great kindness.

Young, pretty, and full of th? vivacity that seems the prerogative of Parisiennes, the girl made a great impression on the Sicilia_, who urged her to accept his friendship and hospitality, and to live at his cottage. She accepted, and for two years they led an idyllic life on the shores of the Bay of Palermo.

At the end of that time, however, the young Parisienne bad a longing to return to Paris. Tbe means of the Siciban were not sufficient to live in the gay city, but the lady convinced him that she would find work, which would help to keep them. It was therefore decided to leave Palermo, and tbe Sicilian not only bade farewell to his native island, but also to most of bis fortune, which was spent on the trip.

Earning a iittle here and there the girl managed to keep things going. Recently by a stroke of luck she secured tbe post of concierge in a small house with only two tenants. She considered that this was equivalent to a fortune for herself:, and her first thought was to break her connection with the Sicilian. She had grown tired of him; there was such a great difference iv their ages; and, moreover, he was a. burdei_

But the Sicilian was not going to take his dismissal in that summary fashion. Scarcely had his fickle mistress told him of lier intention to "gang her am gait" when he pulled out a revolver and was about to fire. But she was quicker than he, and wrenched it from bis band. She then informed the police, and two policemen came to evict her aged lover.

The Sicilian carried some of his belongings away, saying he would return later for the rest. Return he did, but on another mission, for firing two shot 6at the young woman, he mortally wonnded her, and then fell dead beside her with a bullet in his heart.

He left a letter for the police commissary, in which he says that in view of the black heart of the one whom he had loved, and who now wis_ed to chase him from ber door, life no longer bad any pleasure for him. But he would have .his revenge. f_i§ mttSiH.