PARNELL'S LOVE STORY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 89, 21 May 1914, Page 7

PARNELL'S LOVE STORY.

A DOUBLE LIFE. PASSION AND CYNICISM. MRS O-SHEA'S REMARKABLE BOOK. By o*bU.—Press Association. — Copyright. LONDON, May 19. Mrs O'Shea's book discloses Paraell's intense passion, heightened by the cool cynicism of his comments upon politics* When Captain O'Shea was returned for Clare, he gave frequent dinners. Mrs O'Shea was piqued because Parnell ignored the invitations. She declared she would bring him. She went to his house and sent her card in. Parnell came out and conversed with her. She dropped a rose from her bodice and he picked it up. Within two months Parnell wrote: "I cannot keep myself away from you any longer." ■*■ Before the year was out she had him in a room of hers for a fortnight, he composing speeches and reading "Alice in Wonderland." The Nationalists were harrowed with descriptions of the sufferings Parnell. endured at Kilniainham Gaol. He explained that he was quite comfortable, but the stories published would serve to stimulate Irish subscriptions to the Nationalist cause, and leave the money from America free for other purposes. He wrote in February 1882: "I am glad the platform oratory has ended, because I am disgusted with the meetings, knowing how hollow and wanting in solidity everything connected with the movement is." Mrs O'Shea persuaded him to draft the Kilmainham treaty, realising the intensity of the hate'that had been let loose.

A TALE OF INTRIGUE. HOW PARNELL DIED. (Received May 21, 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 20. Mrs O'Shea also states that when the divorce decree was issued, Parnell said he could howl, but it would be the howl of a hypocrite. He died, saying: '' Kiss me, sweet wife, and I'll try to sleep a little." When acting as Parnell's intermediary between Gladstone and other leaders, Gladstone conversed with her, walking arm in arm in Downing Street. He bargained for the Irish vote, and got letters from Parnell dated from her house, while Parnell, after leaving Mr Morley, told her that Mr Morley said: '' Can't you do something to stir up the people?" When the exposure came, Gladstone and 6thers were duly shocked. Parnell was not angry, remarking: "The old spider has nearly all my flies in* his. web."

Many statements in the book are borne out by letters and by other incidents dependent on her memory. [ln consequence of the issue of the divorce suit brought in 1890 by Captain Q?Shea, Mr Parnell was requested by Mr W. E. Gladstone and other English Liberals to retire from the Chairmanship of the Irish Party. He declined, and issued a manifesto to the people of Ireland,, giving an account of private conferences Avith Mr Gladstone and Mr John Morley. The Irish Roman Catholic Bishops then demanded Mr Parnell's retirement. After a week's angry discussion in the House of Commons Committee Room No. 15, the Irish Party divided. Mr Justin M'Carthy, the vicechairman, was elected chairman by 44 members, Mr Parnell continuing chairman with 26 followers. In October of the following year—some 11 months after the divoree nad been granted to Captain O'Shea, Mr Parnell died.]