A LOVE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1927, Page 3

A LOVE TRAGEDY

[Australian «fc N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, March 20. Rkyioond de Trallord, the youngest son of Baronet Humphrey de Trafiord hoarded a train for London, hut later he was shot. The Countess de Jatize an American by birth, was also found shot ill the abdomen. Roth are now in hospital in a serious condition. Tflio parties met in Kenya. LONDON. .March 27. Reports from Paris affirm that the Cointes.se de Janze shut de Trafi’ord just I before the train was due to depart and tin'll turned a revolver on herself. According to the police, the Cointessc, who is believed to he separated from her husband, went to the station for the purpose of farewelling do Trafford anil was so ntl'oetod by the parting that she decided to kill both de Trafford and herself. De Trafford was found in a second class compartment- and • the Cointessc in. the first. The wounded couple were taken to a hospital in the same ambulance. The Comtcsse immediately asked : “Where is my dog ? For pity’s sake give me an ■’injection. I am in such pain.”

Do Tralt'ord had only strength to stagger out of the compartment and eollapsed on the platform. The shooting caused a nauic at the station which was crowded with passengers going to London.

It is .stated that the Cemtesse’s two children are at present in charge of the Comte.

The carriage doors were being .shimmed when the shots rang out. Those who rushed to the aid of the Comtcsse were confronted by a big German sheep dog, which harked and dared them to approach. The French police state the Comtcsse was not possessed of a passport nor a railway ticket.

Passengers arriving at London.talked of nothing else but the tragedy. One said he was about to enter a compartment when he saw a. well dressed woman fife a revolver at a man. A moment later he heard another shot. Do Trafford was well known in London and Paris. He entertained freely when in this country. He started his career in the Grenadier Guards and later went to Kenya, farming. Recently he increased his bidding there by 20,000 acres. He owned a beautiful flat in. London and was a member of six clubs.

OPERATION P ICR FORM ED. PARIS, March 27

Do '! rafford and the Com teas de Janze, underwent ail operation to-day. Both are still in a critical condition.