FIVE THOUSAND MILES' QUEST FOR A WIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 76, 26 April 1909, Page 4

FIVE THOUSAND MILES' QUEST FOR A WIFE.

i "I have travelled five thousand miles during the present year in search of my dear wife, and missed her in London by a bare quarter of an hour." So.said M. Alphouse Brochier, a young Frenchman, who told his story to a Pressman. Three years ago he was married at Marseilles to a beautiful girl with the dark eyes and hair of the Southern Frenchwoman. It was a love match. Tlu'y emigrated to Xew York. "We were intensely happy," said M. Brochier, "until money troubles beset tw. Suddenly, on 20th .December, a year ago, my wife was missing. I scoured Xew York for her. I worked ami made money, and then set out on ihy journey to find her. She is not away from me of her own choice. She is not happy, I am sure. I travelled to Boston, Philadelphia, and through Xew York State. All in vain! Then I crossed the Atlantic, arriving in London towards the end of October. I made every enquiry. On 13th November 1 learned that a lady answering the description of my wife wns staying at a house near Xew Bond street . 1 hesitated to go, as 1 am a At last I went. Judge of my feelings file Had gone; they knew not where. le<s than fifteeu minute* before I arrived^*'

M. Brochier applied to -Mr. Marsha.n at Bow street for assistance in his search. The magistrate referred liim to the Press.

One day, about six week* ago. M. llrochier met his wife l>y accident in tlie street. **l was walking sadly along." he sijid, ''thinking only of lier and liow I should find her again in this great London, when she suddenly overtook uiv, and parsed along without seeing me. A great thrill of emotion shook me; my senses seenrod to pass from me for a moment. Then T touched her on the arm. She started greatly as she recognised me. Then she said quickly: '1 do not want to come back to you. Von dare not take me. I do-not want to go.' Then she went up to a policeman who was near, and said: This man is uiv husband. but f do not want to go with him. What shall [ do? 5 The policeman pointed, to How Street Police Station further down the street, and said: *<Jo in there and speak to the inspector.' We went in, and while we were standing by ourselves, waiting, my wife said * three times: 'Would you take nie hack?' I replied: Heavens. would 1 not?' Then fiht* said: "Oh, T have been through .»o much trouble since I left you/ The inspector came, ami my wife led him t<; one side. 1 did not hear what she said, .but presently the inspvetor came back a.one. and said: 'You must not follow that lady aboiit. You have nothing t" do with her. If you continue to annoy her I shall arrest von.* 1 rould not speak for a moment. Then I cried: Hut she is my wife! 1 swear she is my wife!' I turned a't once to follow her/hut she had gone. Hut 1 will go on. I will spend my life in trying to find her. Jt is only because she is too proud that she will .not come back to me. If onlv she would write to me I could tell her'how J long to see her again." And the sad slight little man turned awav to continue his heart-broken (juvst.