The daily Alaskan., 1905-08-18
A Mysterious Visitor
IorlglnaLl

The opera late. Opening the front door with his night key, be entered the hall dimly lighted by a gas jet, and was passing the drawing room door when | he caught sight of man In evening dress also passing to the rear, There was not sufficient light to see what the man looked like, and what there was was turned of the moment MT. Opdyke caught sight of the Intruder. Then came a sound as of some one scamper- ing through the back room and a crash denoting the failing of table mingled with the breaking of glass. Mir Op- dyke knew that the fugitive had upset a small stand covered with bric-a-brac
 Mir. opdyke hurried after the man to the rear rooms and finally the kitchen. No one was to be found. The doors and windows were all locked except one window, and MT. opdyke conclud- | ed that the fugitive had escaped through this window. After a thorough search NIT. opdyke made up his mind | that the intruder had gone, and then for the first time It occurred 10 hlm that sneak thieves or burglars do not go about in evening dress. He droppel into a chair, with terrible sinking at the heart His wife must be unfai.h- ful to him.
 He arose and went upstairs, when | for the first time he noticed that the | light from above had not been cor- pletely shut ofI. There was plenty oi | light in his wife's bedroom, the door ot which was open. She came out to meet him and asked what accident had oc- cured downstairs.
 And who" he asked sternly, "was your visltory
 What visitorT
 The gentleman found when | came in making for the rear Of the house, the man you turned out the hall gas Ca screen"
 My dear, what do you mean! I | turned out the hall gas since you so often forget it, I opened my door Co light you"
 Mir. Opdyke had too much self con trol Co give vent to the fire burning In his breast. He simply stated the facts as they had occurred. Mrs Opdyke sug. gcsted that perhaps burglar had put on evening dress the better to. escape detection. This sounded reasonable, and they agreed to look over their val uablcs to discover what might he miss ing. After an examination everything was found In its place,
 NIT. Opdyke would not accuse his wife without more definite proof Nev- crthelcss it was plain that he had strong suspicious, Roth passed an uu- comfortable night and when day dawned neither had slept
 The next morning NIT. Opdyke discov. cred his wife handaglng the foot of her poodle that had evidently been cut by the broken glass on the floor. He was mentally occupied with the man who had upset the table, she with the wound, and they did not discuss either. For a long period they lived together | as StrangerS-wOrSe than strangers, who do not necessarily wear on each other. while Mir. and Mrs. Opdyke Illus trated the words of the poet:
 To be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
 MT. opdyke srent his evenings at the club and carried a revolver in case he should again meet the man he had found In his drawing room. One night he drag ged himself up the steps Of hls house, entered and. passing the parlor door, saw the dim figure of the intruder. | For Mir. Opdyke to draw his weapon | and fire was the work Of a moment. He was no quicker than the other, who fired simultaneously with him. Mir. Opdyke felt something warm trickllng down his cheek and, putting up hls hand, felt warm blood. He was sur priSed to see his enemy do the same. There was a quick step In the hall | above. the gas was turned up. and Mrs. Opdyke came hurTylng downstairs. Seeing her husband wiping blood from his face, she cried:
 "Oh, heavens! Are you kiiledyr
 No. my dear; I am not. The fool killer has not yet taken me h."
 And what's the matter with the mir rory Who broke iti'
 'I did. was trying to Kill your lover. I saw his reflection there and fired at him. A bit Of glass flew at me and caused slight wound
 Mrs. 0pdyke saw lt all Her husband had twice mistaken hls own reflection for visitor during hts absence and had literally tried to kill his own i'm. age
 For months she had been suffer ing from this ridiculous blunder, and now In addition to the suspicion and cold treatment she had endured the long and valuable pier glass, her pride, had been shattered by her husbands absurd attempt It was too much for her equanimity, She turned on her heel and walked upstairs. Not even her husbands wound sufficed to de tain her, He, poor man, went to the bathroom and after stanching the blood bound up the cut and went to bed.
 If vras mi tili the naxt day after din-