Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-22
DAILY SHORT STORY
The Count De Tourinne.
IOriginal.l

couple wherever they could derive the
most pleasure. One winter they took
house in Paris.
Rathbone had always had implicit
confidence in his wife till jealousy set
tied itself upon him through vory
singular cause. Returning to his home
late one evening when his wife was in
bed, he entered an adjoining chamber
in which light was turned low and
saw n man in evening dress advancing
to meet him. In Il twinkling there
came a revelation of intidelity on the
part of his wife. He was about to
spring forward to grasp the man by
the throat when he discovered that he
was looking at his own image in mir
ror. He took off his clothes and
crawled into bed, but not TO sleep.
Suppose his wife, whom all the men
admired, should thus dishonor him!
The idea, having taken root, grew and
expanded until it mOnopOliZed the prin-
cipal part of his brain.
The time came when something more
than a reflection confronted him. One
evening when he desired to go to the
opera his wife asked to be excused
from accompanying him on the ground
of feeling indisposed. Since the piece
was favorite with him he concluded
to go alone. He heard little of the mu-
sic, however, for an idea got into his
head that his wife's indispOsition was
merely a subterfuge. However, he'saw
the opera through, then, joining some
friends, went to supper at n cafe.
About l o'clock he went home, let him
self in with his night key, and was
about TO go up stairs when he saw a
man standing. on the stairs. He had
been coming down when Rathbone en-
tered and stopped.
Rathbone staggered under the load
of horror that had suddenly come upon
him.
"Stand where you arer he said as
soon as he could get his voice. Give
me time to think. My wifes name must
not be brought into this affair. We
must find some other preteXt."
go to your club said the man.
land say that you caught the Count de
Tourinne cheating at cards. You chal-
1enged him and will fight him at day
light in the morning"
1.-The Count de Tourinner'
Shy my indiscretion my family. one
of the oldest in France, must suffer
the only stigma ever put upon it. But
it is better thus than that your wifes
reputation should suffer"
1T will not matter. l will put you
where only the worms will interest
you"
The count advanced. took a card
hfC faA 10
and walked out of the front door.
Rathbone went into the drawing room
and, falling on n divan, buried his face
in the cushions Half an hour later he
went TO his club. where he met Spencer
Hunt, Il Heidelberg chum, whom he
told that the Count de Tourinne had
cheated him at cards and a challenge
had passed.
60" he concluded, ito the address
on the card and arrange the details of
the affair"
II am surprised beyond measure"
said Hunt, that Tourinne should have
done such thing. l ann not personally
acquainted with him. but his standing
both socially and as a man of honor
is the highest. Is not this n preteXt
| to cover the real cause of your quar-
relY'
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
/ l.; a, ~l,s,N
the matter with him. Fortunately for
Rathbone, he had been so devoted n
| husband that he had not frequented
the club and knew only n few of the
members For an hour he paced. then,
suddenly looking up, saw Hunt coming
| in at the door accompanied by an aris-
tocratic looking gentleman. Both ap-
preached Rathbone, the accompanying
man glaring at him.
"Is this the man whom you accused
Of cheating at cards?" asked Hunt.
mo"
Count, this is my friend Harvey
Rathbone. The Count de Tourinne
Harvey. There is some mistake"
The count, Modified. asked for an &C
count of the affair and a description OF
l
him, then returned to his home.
Rathbone was worn out with excite
ment and the load he bore and did not
know what to do. Hunt took him by
the arm and led him TO the Place de
la Concorde and thence up the Champs
Elysees. There they walked and
talked till the sun stood high in the
sky. Then Hunt decided to take his
friend home to face an investigation.
When the front door opened Mrs
Rathbone threw himself into her hus.
bands arms, Historically exelaiming:
"Oh, Harvey, where have you BEEN
The house has been entered and all my
Jewels takenv'
The two men darted glances at eacl
other full of meaning. 1t was plain
that a thief had played pretty game
and effected his escape.
THANK Godr' exclaimed Rathbone-
what do you mean" cried the wife
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