WIFE OR WIDOW?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 22 May 1907, Page 4

WIFE OR WIDOW?

WOMAN'S PATHETIC YKIIL BESIDE HER HUSBAND'S BODY. Pari-,, March S. It has not yet been decided whether Rev. Paul Nathalie Pascal, Freirh master at the Reading Collegiate School, is dead or in a trance. A coroner's jury declared that he died early last Tuesday morning from an overdose of cocaine,, which he was' in the habit of taking to induce sleep, but his brother, Dr. (i. Pascal, a London medic-,.l man, declares that lie is not satisfied that death has occurred. He has gone to Paris to bring an eminent specialist to examine the body. In the meantime, the Rev. Paul Pascal's wife has kept vigil alone beside ber husband's bed, not knowino whether she is a wife, or a widow. Mrs Pascal stated at the inquest on .Wednesday that her husband woke li'.-r early on Tuesday morning, and told her that he feared be had taken an overdose of cocaine. She went for a doctor, but her husband apparently died just as the doctor arrived. Dr. Wileockson, who was called, stated that he was quite satisfied that the man was d.nul and declared that the appearance of the body was consistent with a ease, of cocaine poi-oning. Dr. Pascal arrived from London on Friday, and he was at once struck with the lifelike appearance of his brother. He made a careful examination of the body, and then declared that he was not "satisfied that the man was dead. He declined to express the opinion that he wa.s still alive, but he thought that he might be in a trance, and Dr. Wileockson was summoned again. The two medical men again examined the body, but failed to agree. Dr Wileockson adhered to his opinion that the man was dead, but he consented to a postponement of the funeral until to-day and Dr. Pascal hurried or, to Paris to secure the services of an eminent Specialist in trances and catalepsy. Dr. Pascal had not returned last night, and Mrs Pasccal kept watch be-

side her husband's bed. She was quite convinced for two days that hr huslnnd was dead, but her brother-in-law's doubt raised new hope in her mind. It is expected that she will demand a further postponement of the funeral to-day if Dr Pascal does not return.