Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-02-01
A FAASE ALARM.

The Count la Croix- Families was re-
turning home in the worst possible humor.
A run OF bad luck AT baccarat had taken
almost the last franc from his pockets be-
fore he had thrown down the cards and
departed from the club swearing that ho
would never play again.
Sunk in the corner Of his coupe, he said
TO himself that all this would never have
happened IL his wife had not had head
ache. Had 1, hot been for that they would
have gone to the opera and yawned through
the performance, az they did every Friday.
Mechanically his thoughts turned TO the
story of poor Montescourt's Is wife, which he
had heard one evening on the balcony at
the club. IL was indeed an amusing tale.
She was woman always fearful, always
indisposed whenever her husband wished
her 10 accompany him TO a ball or the the
ater but who always miraculousy recov-
cred when certain handsome young tenor
at the opera came 10 call on her.
Was IL possible that the countess could
have played the same trick on him so ~ To
be alone and free all one EVENING" Could
that headache have been fairy taller
But the coupe drew up suddenly before
his house, and with shrug Of his shoulders
the count entered. The domestics had gone
to bed. the gas was extinguished, and the
dwelling slept in silent peace.
"DeOidedly," thought he, "they did not
expect me at such an early hour"
Having lighted "A candle, he turned slow
ly toward his wife's room, happy in the
thought Of finding her sound asleep and
feeling that the sight of her innocent face
would make him forget the cruel suspi-
cions that had been gnawing at his heart.
He trayersed the sntechamber, and as he
drew aside the portiere Of his boudoir
started backward, pale and terrified, az II at
some horrible vision. lie had seen a man
In the countess apartment-a man of aris-
tocratic bearing, irreproachably dressed.
"Ah," sighed the husband, 81 was not
deceyedp'
lie approached his fists clinohed men
acingly, white with wrath.
"Will you tell me what you are doing
here, sir, In my housef"
81 have nothing TO say" stammered the
other In an uneasy voice.
"You are my wife's lover, scoundrel"
"I know nothing Of your wife, sir. II
you think yourself offended, am at your
orders"
He held out card, which fell upon the
carpet, while with the other hand he drew
from his pocket a small revolver exquisite
ly mounted and bowed tremendously, say
ing; "When it may suit your convenience,
the Baron San Leone, Hotel Bristol. Au
revoir. monsieur. il IL too late, il il not,
to further prolong this conversation"
And he departed without waiting for La
Croix-Ramilles TO respond. The count,
stupefed, supported himself with both his
hands on the back Of chair 10 keep from
falling. A mist came before his eyes He
suffered intensely. He felt his mind Civ
ing way. An intense loathing Of life op-
pressed his heart.
"Ah." cried he at last, az will kill him
AS for her, we will see later"
He picked up the card and hastened to
his club to choose his seconds.
"A duel to the death, was the order he
gave, land the sooner the better"
Early in the forenoon the seconds came
TO the unhappy husband regarding their
mission.
"We presented ourselves" said one Of
them, "at the hotel indicated in pencil
upon the card of your Baron San Leone
and found he had decamped by the first
train In the morning"
1.-THE scoundrel, the scoundrel!' cried
La Croix- Families. ~ would give 10O,-
900 francs 10 find him."
AT that moment some one rang discreet
door.
MADAME asks II she may see you," she
said.
"No" thundered the count.
But he had scarcely uttered this inflexi-
bic word when the countess burst In, her
eyes red from much weeping. "Mon Dieu,
what have you done 10 avoid me thus and to
close your door against mei" she moaned.
al will tell you what has happened,
since you appear 30 Ignorant" exclaimed
the count, pronouncing the words with
bitter irony.
"But first must speak to you, " she in
tsrrupted brusquely.
81 know all too well. madame, what you
would say"
"Whatl You know that last night while
l slept some one broke open the sandal
wood chest where / keep my diamondsf"
La Croix Families sprang to his feet,
gasping for BREATH and took tho countess
hands in his.
"Some one broke open your jewel casep"
repeated he anxiously.
"Alas, and the thief left nothing, not
even the little betrothal ring which hold
80 dear"
"Gentlemen, all 10 explained" ;" cried the
count riumphantly. 81 have had bitter
iessoh, bu1 Roou one. Nnat tnlnk you
of itt What do / deserve for having for "A
single instant doubted my sdored wifef
Our San Leone was vulgar thief and,
parbleu, so much the betterl One can cas-
lily replace stolen jewels, but lost honor can
never be restored" And he embraced the
countess tenderly and begged her pardon.
The chest WAS filed again with beauti-
full gems, aud since that terrible trial OF
his faith they have SDioyed a second honey
moon, which hos excelled the first.-From