The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-04-14
THE FRENCH COUNT.
The Story Of the "Man With the
Diamonds"

Dudley Amerling was one of those pecu-
liar beings called in the newspapers ''men
about town." He lived in excellent style
with an unmarried aunt of uncertain years.
dressed in fashions most ridiculous ex-
tremes, always had plenty Of money in his
pocket, and as consequence plenty of
friends, and endeavored somewhat fruit
lessly to amuse himself.
It was his custom every evening to
lounge about the lobby of the Windsor
Hotel, in the hope that something might oc-
cur that would interest him; I shall account
for his presence in that house on the night
when this story opens, without having bored
my readers with irrelevant details.
Mr.. Amerling had failed to meet anybody
he knew, and was feeling the full force of
an irresistible ennmi. He threw himself
listlessly upon one of the green velvet seats
IN the lobby, and in few moments, the
heat producing comfortable lethargy, he
dozed. Had he only known that his attitude
was simply death to the wonderfully glossy
expanse Of shirt front which adorned his
evening Dress he might have been less
drowsily inclined.
Dudley Amerling awoke with start. He
had probably slept for an hour. The lobby
was nearly deserted, but on the seat oppo-
site to that on which he sat was gentle
man, the contemplation of whom soon
aroused Mr.. Amerling to utter wakefulness
His vis-a-vis astonished him. He saw tall,
slightly built young man, undeniably foreign
and presumably French. Diamonds of purest
ray serene glittered on his shirt front, q
magnificent stone shone on his finger, his
dress suit was exquisitely made, and he was
enveloped in fur overcoat, which must
have cost many hundred dollars. Withal
there was no appearance Of vulgarity In this
display. The diamonds that on another
man would have looked horsey and horrible
on this young elegant seemed entirely in
Aplace and almost necessary.
~ "Wh0 the deuce can ne bei' was the
question Mr.. Amerling put first to himself
and then to the hotel clerk, who answered
ratf sr abruptly that he didn't know. The
clerk evidently resented the presence of any
one wearing 80 many diamonds They
eclipsed his own. Hotel clerks love to be
unique in their umagnifcence. They gem
orally are.
Mr.. Amerling was at the Windsor Hotel
the following night. He went early and
stayed late. He saw ''the man with the dia-
monds," as he mentally christened the
stranger, enter the hotel, and again occupy
one of the cushioned seats, with French
newspaper Young Amerling passed and
man with the diamonds was apparently un-
conscious Of this delicate attention.
For i've nights this state of things lasted
Mr.. Amerling went to the Windsor to un-
ravel the mystery of the man with the dia-
monds. The gentleman declined to be un-
raveled until the sixth night Every seat in
the Windsor lobby was taken except part of
that on which the man with the diamonds
was seated. So Dudley Amerling found
himself suddenly by the side Of the stranger,
who looked up with pleasant SMILE +
"GoOd evening, sir" he said, with q
French accent. t
Mr.. Amerling promptly returned the salu-
tation, and then said by way of breaking the
ice, which salutation, by the by, only
slightly chips: "You are very diligent
reader Of the French papers. Do you not
care for oursl"
The man with the diamonds dropped his
eyes and said In q low tone: II like TO be re-
minded Of my country, All, am SO misera-
BILE, here. do not amuse myself l have
no friends. am alone. But l return to
France In a leetle time. Mon Dieu! how
glad shall he.'
~ am sorry you don't like 1t here,, said
Dudley Amerling, gently. Then with Uncle
Sans instincts; "Most foreigners dO.n
'They have friends" was the tenderly sad
reply. nv
"Did You bring no introductionsa" asked
Mr.. Amerling.
ma Joi, noaf" was the answer. "My
name, IL 1t not an introduction In itselfl An,
monsieur, see you do not know me. Par
don the c0nceit that makes me think you
should" The man with the diamonds drew
dainty little card-case from his pocket, un-
fastened it. and presented to Mr. Amerling
card, inscribed with the name: "Le Comte
do la Mauviere."
The young American started. No, he
couldn't help regarding the man with the
diamonds with wonderful respect, as soon
ss he heard he was titled. He looked at the
Frenchman so long, that he suddenly re-
membered no had not returned his conf
dence
"You have not told me your aamesn said
the count ut last.
"Ab, pardon me' Dudley was now wide
awake. and handed his card to the foreigner,
who looked At It eagerly, and. chen smiled