SURPRISE FORTUNE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12825, 21 August 1939, Page 2

SURPRISE FORTUNE

HUSBAND” IS DEAD The niece of a famous London general has just heard that her “husband” is dead, and that she has inherited his fortune. Miss Emily Duller, the lady in question, whose uncle was the late Sir Redvers Duller, is a confirmed spinster and was considerably mystified at the news.

Consulting her solicitor, Miss Duller, who lives in Paris, learned that the dead man married some years ago a womhn provided with papers bearing her name. Miss Duller had lost her passport, and this had been used by an adventuress to impress M. Durand, who had married her in the name of Duller.

In French law. Miss Emily Duller is the wife of M. Durand and the will cannot be contested. Miss Duller is entitled to benefit under the will, and even if the adventuress who used her name came forward she could not be recognised.

“I don’t know what to do about the matter,” said Miss Duller, when questioned. “It was something of a shock to me to learn that under French law I have been married for 12 years notv, and. a great surprise to hear that such a large fortune has been bequeathed to me by the ‘husband’. I never heard of. I don’t know what I am going to do with the money. I cannot refuse it. I have thqught of using it for a trust fund to aid necessitous gentlewomen who are unmarried. I dp not feel ■like using the money for myself. My wants are few, I live simply, and the small annuity I have is enough for me.”