BARONESS VAUGHAN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143767, 16 April 1912, Page 3

BARONESS VAUGHAN.

SEEKS A DIVORCE. The Arabian Nights romance of Blanche Josephine Lacroix, Baroness Vaughan—who, some assert, is a dowager queen because she married Leopold, King of the Belgians, on his death-hod —is longer by another sentimental chapter. Baroness Vaughan, beautiful, fascinating, seemingly well-bred as - she is, comes of a family of French peasants. Her sister is a laundress in Paris, and a good one, her patrons say. Another sister keeps a stall in. a Paris market. A very few months after King Leopold died Baroness Vaughan married Antoine Emmanuel Durrieux, a -etired officer of the French army. It was reported then that Durrieux, who lived in a suburb of Paris, was very wealthy and madly infatuated with the woman who had charmed the woman charmer, Leopold. It was said, too, that jpurrieux had been Blanche Lacroix’s suitor for many years, and had waited patiently until he should come out or the eclipse into which he had been thrown by the sun of royalty. Immediately after Durrieux married Baroness Vaughan prompt steps were taken to legitimise the boys, the elder of whom is a little • more than eight years, whom Leopold, rather proudly acknowledged as his sons and upon whom he conferred- titles. This haring been achieved it seemed to the disinterested that Baroness Vaughan did not give her heart to Durrieux when she married him. For she left him, and, declaring that he is a gambler and had been cruel and unfaithful to her, began an action for divorce. The case came up for a hearing, but was not concluded. Durrieux’s counsel pleaded “exceptional circumstances,” and alleged that, whatever his client’s marital sins, Baroness Vaughan had condoned them. King Leopold’s daughters assert that he left a fortune of several million dollars to his ladylove. Nevertheless she demands alimony of £250 a month from Durrieux. Ho says he is willing to pay her this sum, but will contest her divorce suit.

Still infatuated with her, Durrieux plainly believes they can be reconciled. But gossip whispers that Leopold’s reputed widow has fixed her fine eyes upon a more brilliant life-partner than the former officer of the French army. Rumour oven mentions the name of a royal personage who knew her when she first met the rakish King of the Belgians. So Paris is asking what will be the next chapter in the adventures of this geasant’s daughter, this Mme. Du arry of to-day.