The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-10
THE COUNT DE- TOURlNNE.


Harvey Rathbone, being very rich,
took life easy. After several years spent
at the University OF Heidelberg he mar
ried the girl of his choice, and the next
few years were spent by the couple
wherever they could derive the most
leasure. One winter they took a house
~ Paris.
Rathbone had always had implicit
confidence in his wife till jealousy set
tied itself upon him through very
singular cause. Returning to his home
late one evening when his wife was in
bed he entered an adjoining chamber
in which a light was turned low and
saw man in evening dress advancing
to meet him. In twinkling there came
a revelation of infdelity on the part of
his wife. He was about to spring for
ward to grasp the man by the throat
when he discovered that he was looking
at his own image in mirror. He took
off his clothes and crawled into bed,
but not to sleep. Suppose his wife, whom
all the men admired should thus dis
honor him! The idea. having taken root,
grew and expanded until II monopolized
the principal part of his brain.
The time came when something more
than reflection confronted him. One
evening when he desired to go to the
theater his wife asked to be exused
from accompanying him on the ground
of feeling indisposed. Since the piece
was favOrite with him he concluded to
10 dlOAle- ne nedlQ 1lllle Oh lne music
however, for an idea got into his head
that his wifes indisposition was merely
a subterfuge. However, he saw the OPP
era through, then, Joining some friends
went to supper at cafe. About 1
o'clock he went home let himself in
with his night key and was about to
go up stairs when he saw a man stand
ing on the stairs. He had been coming
down when RathbOne entered and stop
ped.
ct,
horror that had suddenly come upon
him.
stand where you are," he said as
soon as he could get his voice. Give
me time to think. Ny wife's name
must not be brought into this affair.
We must find some other pretext!"
Go to your club" said the man, and
say that you caught the Count de
Tourinne cheating at cards. You chal-
lenged him and will fight him at day
light in the morning"
The Count de Tourinnei"
by my indiscretion my family one
p ~ the oldest in France, must suffer the
only stigma ever put upon it. But it is
better thus than that your wifes repu-
tation should suffer"
1T will not matter. I will put you
you"
The count advanced took a card from
his pocket threw it on a table and
walked out of the front door. Rathbone
on a divan, buried his face in the cush-
ions. Half an hour later he went to his
club, where he met Spencer Hunt a
Heidelberg chum whom he told that the
Count de Tourinne had cheated him at
cards and a challenge had passed.
Co he concluded, Ito the address
on the card and arrange the details of
the affair"
Il am surprised beyond measure"
said Hunt. that Tourinne should have
done such a thing. / am not personally
acquainted with him, but his standing
both socially and as man
of honor is the highest. Is not this a
pretext to cover the real cause of your
quarrel?"
Hunt, as you value my friendship
ask no questions. Arrange the affair
to be fought out till either 1 or the
count is killed or MORALLY wounded.
Go at once"
Rathbone paced back and forth in
the hall of the club, waiting. Men
were coming and going, occasionally
casting glance at him, wondering
what was the matter with him. For
tunately for Rathbone. he had been so
devoted a husband that he had not
frequented the club and knew only a
few of the members. Fox an hour he
paced, then, suddenly looking up. saw
Hunt coming in at the door accompan-
led by an aristocratic looking gentle
man Both approached Rathbone, the
accompanying man glaring at him.
rs this the man whom you accused
Of cheating at cards?" asked Hunt.
NO"
Count. this is my friend. Harvey
Rathbone. The Count de Tourinne
TT~------ '-'-~-- l. ~ar-'0 ~1'staira"