Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-23
DAILY SHORT STOR Y
A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
lOriginal.l

Mr.. Kelsey OpdIke went home from
0ne opera late. Opening the front door
with his night key, lie entered the hall,
passing the dra wing room door when
he caught sight of a man in evening
dress also passing to the rear There
was not sufficienttlight to see what the
man looked like. and what there was
was turned OF the moment MIR. Opdyke
caught sight OF the intruder. Then
came sound as OF some one scamper-
Ing through dhe back room and crash
denotiBg ihe(falling OF a table mingled
with the breaking Of glass. Mr.. OPP
dyke knew tlRt the fugitive had upset
a small stand covered with bric-a brac.
Mr., Opdyke IsIrried after the man TO
the rear roOmsSand finally the kitchen.
No one was to be found. The doors
and windows were all locked except
one window, aud MIR. Opdyke conclud-
ed that the fugitive had escaped
through this window. After thorough
search Mr.. OpdyIOe made up his mind
that the Intruder had gone. aud then
for the first time 1t occurred TO him
that sneak thieves or burglars do not
go about in evening dress. He dropped
into a chair with a terrible sinking at
the heart His wife must be unfaith-
full 10 him.
He arose and went upstairs. when
for the first time he noticed that the
light from above had not been com
pIeteIy shut of. There was plenty of
light i'm his wife's bedroom, the door of
which was open. She,came out to meet
him and asked what accident had oc-
CURED downstairs.
And who he asked sternly, was
your visitor?"
What vlsitOr?'
'"rhe gentleman found when | came
in making for the rear of the house. the
man you turned ont the hall gas to
screen"
MY dear. what do you mean? l
turned ont the hall gas since you 80
often forget it, 1 opened my door to
light you"
Mr. Opdyke had too much self con-
troll TO give vent TO the fire burning in
his breast. He simply stated the facts
as they had occurred. Mrs. OIS1yke Sug-
gested that perhaps burglar had put
on evening dress the better TO escape
detection. This sounded reasonable.
and they agreed to look over their val
uables to discover what might be miss
ing. After an examination everything
was found In its place.
Mr.. Opdyke would not accuse his
wife without more definite proof. New
ertheIess IL was plain that lie had
strong suspicious. Both passed an I'M
comfortable night. and when day
da wned neither had slept.
The next morning Mr.. Opdyke discOv-
cred his wife band8ging 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 n long period they lived together
as stTangerS-wOrSe than strangers.
who do not necessarily wear on each
other. while Mr.. and Mrs. Opdyke illus
trated the words OF the poet:
To be Wroth with one we love
Doth work like madness on the brain.
Mr.. Opdyke spent his evenings al the
club and carried a revolver in case he
should gain meet the man he bad found
ged himself up the steps OF his house,
entered and. passing the parlor door.
saw the dim figure Of the intruder.
For Mr.. 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. Mr..
Opdyke felt something warm trickIing
down his cheek and. putting up his
hand. felt warm blood. He was sur
prlsed to see his enemy do the same
There was a quick step la the hall
| above. the gas was turned up. aud Mrs.
Opdyke came hurrying downstairs.
Seeing her husband wiping blood from
| his face. she cried:
"Oh, heavens. Are you killed."
No. my dear; / am not. The fool
killer has not yet taken me in"
And whats the matter with the mir
| rOr? who broke it,
Il did. | was trying to kill your
lover | saw his reflection there and
fred at him. A bit OF glass flew at me
and caused a slight wound"
Mrs. Opdyke saw IL all. Her husband
had twice mistaken his own reflection
for a visitor during his 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 1t 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
Ii was not till the next day after din
ner that the couple while sitting at
tai Bile over their coffee were reconciled
Then for the first time the absnrditH of