“ENOCH ARDEN”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 286, 29 August 1931, Page 23

“ENOCH ARDEN”

Man Who Slipped Out of Life A true story of an “Enoch Arden” in real life is revealed. More than sixteen years after being reported “killed in action,” Alfred Allart, of Bavay, near Valenciennes, returned, found his wife happily remarried, and disappeared again so that he should not spoil her happiness. Allart’s first act on returning to the town was to enter the little cafe where in the old days he spent many an evening with his wife. By a curious coincidence she was there with her new husband, and she at once noticed him. As he sat near her she remarked: “If I didn’t know my, husband was dead I would swear you were Alfred.” Allart, barely suppressing his emotion, replied that she was certainly mistaken, and offered her a drink, which she accepted. Meanwhile the old servant at the cafe came up and remarked that the stranger was “the very image of Allart.” Allart asked her to come to one side and revealed his identity. “But don’t tell my wife,” he added. “What good would it do? She is happy.” He then returned to his wife, who showed him some family photographs. At the sight of a recent picture of his daughter, he burst into tears, and then, fearfullest he should betray himself, hastily left the cafe and has not since been seen or found.