AN ITALIAN LOVE STORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7231, 18 October 1901, Page 2

AN ITALIAN LOV E STORY.

A GIRL'S NARROW ESCAPE. Miss Alice Maud Wheeler, a girl employed as a telegraph clerk and residing in La-uriston Road, South Hackney, told a North London Magistrate a remarkable story. She luul been compelled to remove from a situation at Milhvall Post Office because of the attentions of Antonio Vannuetthi, an Italian chemical manufacturer, thirty-eit.-ht years of age. He afterwards found her out at the Well Street office. Hackney. One night she met him, and lie asked her to go for a walk. They had not gone far when he said, "To-night is the finish for you and me." He said this several times, and added, '"Or you are mine." He showed her a revolver, and she. was too frightened to say anything. He stuck it in his waist-belt. He asked her if she luul read any of the love- tragedies in the papers, and she answered '" Yes." He said, " I have been to Aidgate to-day and paid 15s for .you and me," and then pulled out the revolver again, saying, " You shall not go back to Hackney again where that other gentleman can sec you." / Then she heard the report of the pistol and felt something whiz past her right ear. It appeared to numb her for a little while, but she felt a burning sensation after-w-jirds. She ran away, and called to some people to arrest the man. Vannucchi was charged with feloniously shooting with intent to murder, and was remanded.