DRAMA OF TWO BRIDES

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1929, Page 12

DRAMA OF TWO BRIDES

ROMANCE OF LOVE AND DEATH

A fantastic and tragic romance of passion was unfolded at Rennes Assizes recently. Eugenie Anger, the motherless daughter of a wealthy farmer of Cuguen, in 1110 et Villaine, was, when the romance began two years ago, a bright girl of 14, attending school at Rennes. One Sunday, two years ago, her father visited her at the school accompanied by two young distant relatives, a farmer named Valentin Fontaine and the latter’s sister. Eugenie was given a day off, and young Valentin, a tall and pleasantlooking man. apparently made a great impression on her. They exchanged love letters, and a month later Valentin called on M. Anger and formally asked for his daughter’s hand. But the old man would not hear of the marriage He objected to it not only because his daughter was too young and her sweetheart was not rich, but also on account of a drama which took place in Valentin Fontaine’s home when the latter was but a little boy.

In the course of a dispute Valentin’s father had killed his wife. He was tried at Rennes but was acquitted. Still the tragedy was remembered among the neighbours. To put-an end to the romance of Valentin and Eugenie old Anger sent his daughter to another school, hundreds of miles away from Rennes.

But the young lovers were able to exchange letters; till, M. Anger having definitely told Valentin that ho would never consent to the marriage, the young man ceased writing to the girl. In May, 19'27, Valentin married Cecile Lorre, whose parents live at Saint Jean de Luz, near Biarritz. Valentin and Cecile went through a civil marriage ceremony before the Mayor of Valentin’s village in Brittany. It was arranged that the religious solemnisation should take place a month later at Saint Jean de Luz, Au announcement of Valentin's marriage came as a relief to M. Anger. His daughter, then 16, was able to return, to his home, and he thought they would live in peace. One day, a few weeks after the marriage, however, Valentin’s bride came to M. Anger’s farm. What exactly took place is still a mystery. M. Anger was out, and on his -return found that his daughter had gone with her former sweetheart’s wife. The young married woman and the girl went in a car to Valentin’s home.

There Mme. Valentin Fontaine gave the girl her civil marriage certificate and identity papers; and they all proceeded to the local church, where in the presence of the wife, the old cure-nunaware of the ruse —proceeded with the religious marriage of Valentin and young Eugenie. After the ceremony the real wife (Cecile) kissed the “bride” (Eugenie), took a snapshot of the “bride and bridegroom,” and saw tlm young couple off at the station.

They went to spend their “honeymoon” at Versailles, where the police (acting on a complaint from Eugenie’s father) found them.

The pseudo-bride (Eugenie), who was not of age, was taken back to her father’s home, and Valentin was placed under arrest for a few days. Later lie was released. ' Eugenio gave birth-to a daughter, A few weeks later, while she was still in a nursing home at Rennes, she wrote to Valentin informing him of her definite decision to part from him. On receipt of this letter, Valentin called at .the nursing homo and entered Eugenie’s room and fired two shots at the young mother, who fell mortally injured. Valentin turned the weapon against himself, as if to blow his brains out; but lie survived to appear in- the dock, charged with murder.