THE WILDEST LOVE ROMANCE ON RECORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12955, 26 August 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE WILDEST LOVE ROMANCE ON RECORD.

The Kaluga newspapers report the death and amazing burial of Mile. Agafva Simbirski, one of the richest and most eccentric women in Russia..

When only 20 years of ago Mile. Simbirski, by the death of her father, became possessed of a fortune of nearly three million roubles. Suitors innumerable sought her hand, but the enormously wealthy girl set her affections on an ugly, red-haired gardener, Andrei Vauukhin by name. Furious at her choice, Mile. Simbirski's brother ordered Yainikhin to leave the neighbourhood. The gardener refused. Within a week he was found lying dead in a paddock reserved for the use of "a half-tame wild boar." Although an evident case of murder, the family hushed things up, alleging that Vanukhin had been killed by the pig, which he well knew to bo dangerous. Contrary to expectation Mile. Simbirski appeared to accept the explanation. But the joy of her family was turned to despair when the young lady proclaimed her belief that the spirit of her dead lover had entered into the body of his slayer. From that day forth Mile. Simbirski consecrated her life to the evil-smelling hog. To her order a firm of St. Petersburg contractors built a palatial " sty" of granite and snow-white marble.

The demented lady retained the service of an expert cook, who thrice daily prepared a sumptuous repast for the benefit of the grunting porker. Mile. Simbirski was accustomed to feed the hog with her own fair bands, and only recently ordered a gorgeous silver trough from- a. well-known Moscow manufacturer. A few weeks ago the unfortunate girl became extremely religious, and insisted that Andreifor so she called the pig— should fast when site, fasted. One night site visited the marble, sty. From that visit she never returned. Early next morning the steward discovered Iris mistress' body terribly, mutilated in a, corner of the pigis "bedroom." Again there were rumours of foul play, but again the family alleged that the pig was the murderer. Colour was added to this story by the circumstance that the " fasting" and famished boar hail mangled one of the arms of his mistress. ' In the presence of a vast concourse Mile. Simbirski's eldest brother shot Andrei through the heart. Afterwards the body of the boar was buried in a grave beside that of his benefactress.