The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-04-12
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 a consequence plenty of
friends, and endeavOred somewhat fruit
lcSsly to amuse himself.
II 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; 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 ermui. He threw himself
hstlessly 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 awoSe with a 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 a gentle
man, the contemplation of whom soon
aroused Mr.. Amerling to utter wakefulness.
His vis-a-vis astonished him. He saw a tall
slightly built young man, undeniably foreign
and presumably French. Diamonds of purest
ray serene glittered on his shirt front, a
magnificent stone shone on his finger, his
dress suit was exquisitely made, and he was
envelOped in a 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
place and almost necessary.
"Who the deuce can he be?n was the
question Mr.. Amerling put first to himself
and then TO the hotel clerk, who answered
rather abruptly that ne didn't know. The
clerk evidently resented the presence of any
one wearing so many diamonds. They
eclipsed his own. Hotel clerks love to be
unique in their umagnificence. They GEN
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 occupv
one of the cushioned seats, with a French
newspaper. Young Amerling passed and
repassed him, prey to curiosity, but the
man with the diamonds was apparently un-
conscious of this delicate attention.
For five nights this state of things lasted
Mr.. Amerling went to the Windsor to m
ravel the mystery of the man with the dia-
monds. The gentleman declined to be nm
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 a
French accent.
Mr.. AInerling promptly returned the salu
tation, and then said by way of breaking the
ice, which salutation, by the by, only
slightly chips: ''You are a very diligent
reader of the French papers. Do YOU not
care for ours!"
The man with the diamonds dropped his
eyes and said in low tone: 81 like to be re-
minded of my country. All, 1 am so misera-
BILE, here. / do not amuse myself. / have
no friends. / am alone. But | return To
France in leetle time Mon Dieui how
glad shall be.''
81 am sorry you don't like it here.- said
Dudley Amerling, gently. Then with Uncle
Sans instincts: Most foreigners do.n
''They have friends" was the tenderly sad
reply.
did you bring no introductions. asked
Mr.. Amerling.
ma fol, nORn' was the answer. s.Mv
name, is it not an introd action in itself! An
monsieur, see you do not know me. Par.
don the conceit that makes me think Won
should The man with the diamonds drew
dainty little card-case from his pocket, un-
fastened it, and presented to Mr.. Amerling
a card, inscribed with the name: lie Comte
DE Ia Mauviere.r
The young American started. No. he
couldn't help regarding the man with the
diamonds with wonderful respect as soon
IS he heard he was titled. He looked at the
Frenchman so long, that he suddenly re-
membcred he had not returned his conf
dence.
'You have not told me your namel- said
the count at last
"Ah, pardon me-" Dudley was now wide
awake, and handed his card to the foreigner.
who looked at it eagerly. and then smiled