THE Old Love and the New.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5424, 14 January 1889, Page 3

THE Old Love and the New.

Another sensational Parisian drama in real life bus just occurred, the interested parties being Mdlle. Georgetto Guverne, M. Hakelberger, a former lover, aud M. Jan "Van Beers', the well-known Belgian artist. The heroine is a blonde and elegant beauty, who, being unable to make her mark on the st«ge, quitted the dramatic profession for tho ranks of tho " Half-world." M. Hakelberger, who is about 30 years of age, began life as a clerk in the service of the Northern Railway Company of France. In that position he had the good fortune of being able to render Madame de Rothschild a signal servico, as a reward fur which Baron dv Rothschild gave him a post in his banking establishment, where he showed such capacity that he rose rapidly, and succeeded in making for himself a brilliant position. Becoming a true mondain, he finally took under his wing Mdlle. Duvernet, who beginning as a model for the Belgian painter, ultimately cut adrift altogether from Hakelberger, and went away with tho artist. Hakelberger invited her to a dinner, but she sent no reply to the invitation, and the young- mnu of fashion armed himself with a loaded revolver and a swordstick and knocked at the door of his former mistress, in the Rue Prony, at 2 o'clock in the morning. The Bervant made no difficulty in letting him it, so Hakelberger, lighting a candle, went straight to tho room of Mdlle. Duvernct, whom ho found with M. Jan Beers. " Get out of this, or I'll murder your" shouted Hakelberger to Van Jan Beers. The artist and tho woman rushed into tho drawing room, the infuriated visitor covering them with his revolver. Hakelberger was in a state of the greatest excitement, for after overwhelming the woman with reproaches, he drew his sword-stiok and broke tho blado in slashing at the furniture in the room. Mademoiselle Duvernet was so alarmed at his violence that she ran into tho servant's room, whither M. Hakelberger pursued her, and fired two shots at tho ceiling. Duvernet, followed by Hakelberger, ran back to the drawing-room, where M. Van Beers was found armed witii a revolver. Tho sight of his rival increased tho rage of Mr Hakelberger, who levelled his revolver at his mistress's head. M. Van Beers cried, '• You shall not kill that woman." At that moment Hakelberger drew the trigger of his revolver, but tbo bullet flattened itself against the wall without wounding anyone. He then rushed into the entrance hall, whilo M. Van Beer* fired after him fivcshotsfromhisrevolver. Hakelberger turned round and replied with tho two remaining bulletsin his revolver. Though ten shots had boen fired, no great harm had been done, for the only wound inflicted was ono on Hakelberger's right arm, which had been grazed by a bullet. Nevertheless, his coat collar and the lappel of his coat were pierced by two other bullets. After discharging tho last shot, M. Hakelberger

tied and took the early morning train for Rouen, but subsequently returned to Paris. As he was about to enter his house he was arrested. During the examination made by tho Judge, M. Hakelberger said he had intended merely to frighten Goorgatte by firing in tho air, but owing to the determined attitudo of M. Van Beers ho nirncd at that g-entlcman. M. Van Beers, on tho contrary, stated that M. Hakelberger leveled bis revolver at the woman, und this caused him to fire. Hakelbcrgor cried out, " I am a dead man !" aud tho artist said, "So much tho better!" Mdlta. Duvernet affirmed that her old lovi>r had previously behaved in a violent manner towards iier, and that she was afraid of him. Ho has accordingly been kept under arrest.