“SPOILT CHILD”

Shannon News, 9 July 1926, Page 2

“SPOILT CHILD”

REGINE FLORY’S BRAIN-STORM. NIGHTS OF REVELRY. LEGS PUNCTURED WITH DRUGS. The calm suicide of the temperamental French actress, Mile. Regine Flory, in the presence of Sir Alfred Butt, M.P., a director of the Drury Lane Theatre, London, was recounted at the inquest, when the coroner returned a verdict of suicide while of, unsound* mind. A doctor gave evidence that there were hypodermic punctures in her thigh. It was stated that the actress had signified her suicidal intentions if she failed to realise her ambition of securing a big stage contract in London. Her real name was Marie Louise Artaz, and she w ; as 34 years of age. She fell dying into the arms of a detective' ,who , hearing the shot, had rushed into Sir Alferd Butt’s room, where he saw that a dainty revolver, with tortoiseshell decorating the butt had been used in the last tragic scene.

The evidence indicated that Flory was addicted to drugs, and was vainly trying to break the habit. She was the heroibe of various love affairs, the last with a French dramatist, who followed her to London after a quarrel. i

Flory’s suicide tendencies, despite, hen excellent financial position and prominence on the ’ French stage, prompted Sir Alfred Butt to telegraph to the Customs officials to search her at Croydon after landing from a cross-Channel aeroplane. No weapon was found, however . Pierre Samani, a French detective, gave evidence that in Paris Mile. Flory was frequently out all nignt and returned depressed and unahle to sleep during the day. On these occasions she reiterated her threat or suicide. She bought a revolver, stating her intention to seek an engagement in London, and to commit suicide if she failed. The witness inferred that Mile. Flory proposed to interview with Sir Alfred Butt. He thought that ft was desirable to warn Sir Alfred, and preceded Mile. Flory to London. Sir alfred instructed him to shadow Mile. Flory.

“I stood behind the door with my hand on the handle,” he added, ‘‘ready to enter at the least sign of Mile. Flory getting excited. Everything was normal ,and then there was a sudden quiet, Then I heard the shot.”

Sir Alfred Butt gave evidence that Mile. Flory had an exotic temperament, but when she entered the room she calmly doffed her fur coat, sat casually on the arm of a chair, and spoke rationally and coolly. She complained that she was unable to live in her usual style owing to the depreciation of the franc.

She discussed a projected American engagement at ££375 a week, and he told her that when she returned she would become a millionairess by converting the dollars into francs . He told her that he was unable to offer her a London engagement. Suddenly there was a terrible and appalling explosion,, and he saw her falling to the floor. The coroner returned a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind. He said it was a strange story of a strange woman, who lived an extraordinary life. 'Such people, if they did not get what they wanted, having unbalanced minds, like spoiled children, sulked and shot themselves in a fit of pique.