DARING ADVENTURESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 5

DARING ADVENTURESS

NUN AND PRIEST DECEIVED COLLECTIONS “FOR A CHAPEL” An unusual alTair has conic to light at Angers, in France, the central figure being an adventuress who, during the past few years, has obtained more than 400.001) fra lies— about £34oo—by practising on the credulity of a nun and a priest. The frauds cost the life of the nun's Mother-Superior, who died of grief when she heard of the matter. The adventuress. being short of money, adopted the simple expedient of having collections made for her. To ensure their success she enlisted the aid of the nun, Sister Elisa, to whom she posed as a wealthy and pious woman, interested in works of charity. In particular she spoke sif a chateau in a distant department, worth several million francs, which was legally'hers, hut to which there were several other claimants. Her suggestion was that Sister Elisa should help her to will the impending legal action, when they would sell the chateau and build a chapel. Sister ' Elisa, persuaded l>v the woman's devotional maimer, entered into the scheme and made a number ot special collections. Thus in two years she was aide to hand to the expected benefactress a sum of “110.000 francs. The cure of a small parish near Angers was then drawn into the net. He was given a promise that a school would be built, and be collected 11)0.000 francs, which wore also given to the adventur-

Last year the Mother-Superior of the community, hearing of tin* work in which Sister Elisa was engaged, decided to put an end to it. The matter all'ected her m> much that she died ot grief several weeks after. The Bishop of Angers then intervened and relieved Sister Elisa of her vows. But though she ceased to he a nun the collections continued. The police then took the matter in hand, and the adventuress lied. Sister Elisa, apparently frightened at the turn ot allairs, iilso fled. Warrants for their arrests have been issued.