AN IMPOSTER.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13420, 18 March 1914, Page 6

AN IMPOSTER.

A woman who posed as "Mrs, O|Bricn,'f the widow of a naval captain,' Is wanted."by the Ascot .police in corisequonce of many complaints as to her doings since December.

On Christmas Evo the woman presented herself at one of the bettor class cottages, and said she .vas anxious to spend a. few weeks very quietly in Ascot; sho had come up from Portsmouth to be near the Admiralty, as it was to bo settled whether -eho should have a large sum or n quarterly allowance, her husband" having been killed on service. The same tale was told later on when "Mrs O'Brien" borrowed various sums from people in the neighbourhood, which were spent in gifts to school children, and in a New Year's ball to grown-up people.

The marvel is that the woman was able to do all this without parting with any money, and that she did not pay even tor her lodging and attendance.

It is alleged that she went to Ascot with 5s in her pocket, and then left with several pounds to the good, having borrowed most successfully.

"Mrs O'Brien" remained, in her cottage lodgings until a few/1 weeks ago, and then, with her chikfy-left by 'bus "to do some shopping."/ She has not returned. ~

During her five or six weeks at Ascot she lived in splendid style taking outings nearly every day in a biied motor-car, which took her to London about twice weekly. She was also an exceptionally good customer at the local shops, and, in addition to being very generous to the villagers, she gavea New Years' treat at one of the hotels.