COUNT AND WEALTHY WIDOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14235, 4 December 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

COUNT AND WEALTHY WIDOW.

WIG NEARLY. WRECKED ALL.

AN AMUSING LAWSUIT.

An' amusing, lawsuit is being heard at Chicago, in which Mrs. William Ernest sues for remuneration and money lent to Count Lalia. , . .■ ~.

The latter,, so Mrs. Ernest contends, wanted to woo Mrs. Stotsou, the widow of a Philadelphian millionaire, and Mrs. Ernest says she helped him so successfully, both in writing fervent love-letters for him. and in advancing money, that the count, who is an artist, finally won the widow'* heart and fortune, and married her. Count Lalia replies that he did his courting unassisted, and does not owe anything, except criticism. One of his letters to Mrs. Stotson, which Mrs. Ernest says she wrote for Count Lalia, is as follows : — " December 25, 1907. "My dear Friend, —Your amiable letter, as well as dainty memento, received. Ye«, 1 knew Arizona* very Well, and have made a spe ial study of the Indians. 1 firmly be•;.«■_ that before long they will start ail Aiiiiiiican school on the primitive art of the Indians. To-day's art in Europe is simply a copy of the olden times ; its expression has outworn ideas, lacking sincerity. Here the type is true, and my mission here is to be able to treat that subject.

"Unhappily. I have not been, able to render justice to the vastness of the new American art, but it is still my hope, and it God ever gives me the mate who will know how to support me by tier affection and enthusiasm for that art which is so dear to me, I know I' shall be able to realise my ambition. v

"Loving and working.' What happiness! j Until now Europe and art were sufficient ; for me.' but the new American art tic* me to its land as an'unexplored- country, and makes my heart feel so empty. . "We. artists read the soul and the heart in the outlines of individuals, and your good heart speaks to me without the help of any of our friends. I know you, because for me you represent ; refinement and modesty, and at the same time I can see in you the noble American ambition to serve humanity. - ; ; " ; "Answering your inquiries' which to me are always orders, I was bom on April 18, on a Monday, at 2.30 p.m. I pass my j days very agreeably with mv lady friends, but- your letters always make me desire a home. —Your ever devoted. Alex."

Wiring an account of the proceedings, the New York, correspondent of. the Daily Telegraph says that one witness declared that Count Lalia's name was assumed, and the castle of which lie raved to his widow is a little two-storeyed house in a Portuguese country town. The same witness declared that the count** wooing was impel rilled one day when Mr.*. Stetson was in his studio. * '

"She sat beside Count Lalia." said the witness, "upon a low stool, and while he was chipping away at a statue of the Queen of Portugal she ran» her fingers through his hair. The count told me it was one of the most unpleasant moments of hie life, because he could not think of an excuse for drawing away his head, and he feared to remain as he was because he wore a wig." 1 1