Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-01
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DAILY SHORT STORY
SENTIMENT.

IOriglnal.l

A gentleman was sitting N u cluD
window overlooking Fifth avenue, New
York. There was a foreign look about
him, and when he pressed the electric
bell and gave the waiter who answered
II an order for a cigar he spoke with
foreign accent At q table near by sat
another man with glass of spirits and
a siphon before him. but he was Civ
ing more attention TO the man looking
out OF the window than to the liquor.
Presently a third man entered the room
and as he passed the one at the table
nodded to him.
sit down, Hinckley, and have some
thing said the latter.
Thanks, Wftcher. 1 don't care if
do"
Hinckley bowed, TO the man looking
out of the window.
who's your friend?" asked Witcher.
Felix Chevreux. Partisan, who is
passing through New York ,on his way
to California. 1 put him up at the
club myself during his stay
He looks lonely. Bring him over
and introduce him.
Felix CheyreuX was invited to Join
the other two, introduced to Witcher
and the three SIT chatting together.
CheyreuX had all the ponteness of a
Frenchman. but Witcher showed the
Yankee in his makeup by giving way
to Il curiosity in the strangers move
ments. which ChewreuX plrried as best
he could without openly showing an
noyance.
On several occasions Chevreux zig
nored entirely Witcher'S remarks or
questions or whatever they were that
annoyed him. When WitCher mention
ed the BGIcher murder case of Vienna
Hincklcy fancied he saw n shudder
pass over ChevreuN; but, CHANGING at
Witcher, he seemed 10 be unconscious
Of having rTnIied the sensitive French
man. Indeed he was reaching for the
bell button to order more refreshments.
Then Witcher turned the converSa-
ton on to criminals and their singular
predisposition to give themselves!away
by some oversight. Hinckley remarked
that he had known a,case of 4 woman
who was so fond OffdispIaying costly
gems that she had worn a valuable
bracelet she had stolen and it had led
to her detection. Her vanity had cost
her ten years in prison. ChevreuX said
that he could not understand taking
such risk, but he could understand a
womans keeping some treasured me
mento about her that had belonged to
one very dear to her. though its pres
Cnce might he dangerous. To this
Witcher added that man might have
sufficient sentiment about him to do
the same thing. At this point ChevreuX
tried to change the subject, but Witch
cr insisted on continuing it. and the
FrenchInan was Obliged to listen.
BY this time it was evident to Hinck-
ley that something was aWry between
the two men. ChevreuX sat with his
lips firmly pressed together. his browS
knit. indeed as one who was being tor
turCd and gOaded to turn upon his tor
mentor and rend him. Witcher, on the
contrary, appeared to be innocent of
any Intention to offend. He chartered
on like magpie, apparently uncOn-
scious when by some word he was
plunging Il dagger into the feelings of
the Partisan. Finally ChevreuX said
Perhaps, NJ. Witcher, since you are
SO profuse with your questions, you
will answer one yourself. Are you
a member of this club?"
Il am not. have been given an IN
limited use of the clubhouse, however
by the chairman of the house commit
tee. But. pardon me for changing the
subject and calling your attention to
an oversight in your toilet. One of your
sleeve links shows an oblong, the other
a round button
Thanks, monsieur, 1 prefer to wear
them that way"
care they mates?"
At this question the Frenchman
glared at his tormentor, but did not
deign to reply.
The reason why 1 have noticed
them" the imperturbable Witcher con-
tinued, ''is that l have in my pocket
book a sleeve button which exactly
matches that one in your right cuff
plain gold rectangle."
WitCher took out his pocketbook and
from it drew q sleeve button that was
the counterpart of Ii. one worn by the
Frenchman. The moment Chevreux
saw it he turned CHASTITY white and
cast quick glances at the exits leading
from the room.
Two years ago" Witcher went on,
Baron Boucher of Vienna was found
murdered. 4 Frenchman, Desaix by
name, who was known to have been
in Vienna few days before, had been
attentive to the baroness. Desaix has
never been seen since. but detectives
searching for a clew to the murderer
| found this sleeve button on the floor in
the baroness apartment. Supposing it
had been dropped by the murderer in
a struggle with the baron, a member
nF In -
| to find its mate. He has succeeded,
! but he never hoped that trinket given
| by the baroness 10 her lover would be
| sufficiently priced 10 induce him to risk
| capture by wearing it. You see. sir,
/ we have a case in point of what we
We're recently discussing. a man may
! have as much sentiment as a woman.
| Sit down, sir, and do not make a
u 1.