A BOGUS PRINCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 928, 29 June 1903, Page 2

A BOGUS PRINCE.

London, May 25. The ex-footman, William Brown, who got Countess Russell to marry him by pretending that he was Prince Athrobald Stuart de Modenn, a natural sou of the Emperor of Austria, from whom ho was about to receive P’S,OOO a year, ia a goodlooking young fellow, tail, well built, welltailored, with clean-cut features, dark, neatly trimmed moustache, blue eyes and an off hand manner. His accent is not that of an educated man, but though the Countess knew him six months, she and her mother (Lady Scott, who has had considerable ex" periencc) never once suspected the imposture.

The “Prince” borrowed money freely from the Countess, who appears to have really fallen in love with him. He says he never intended to go to the length of marrying her, but was gradually drawn into proposing.

After her first outburst of anger cn discovering that she had been deceived and deserted, the Countess gave the potice no assistance in tracing him. £vea now that he is under arrest she seems unwilling to e him.

prosec:

I', is suspected that Brown was put for ward in the tire: instance by some pc-rsoi who hod ft grudge against the Countess to piny a practical juke upon her. Bu

the -tii'-.ir developed so satisfactorily that Brown made full use of his opportunity and eventually married the Countess, believing that her fondness for him would prevent her from revenging herself when the inevitable discovery of his imposition came.

Brown will bo arrainged in court at Portsmouth on Monday, cn the charge of making a false entry in the marriage register there when he wedded Countess Russell, having signed the name of Athrobald Stuart de Modena.