Evening journal., 1905-05-22
A Mysterious Visitor

lOrlginall
Mr.. Kelsey Opdyke went home from
the opera late Opening the front door
with his night key. he entered the hall,
dimly lighted by 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 Ike. and what there was
was turned of the moment Mr.. 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 falling Of a table mingled
with the breaking Of glass. Mr.. OPP
dyke knew that the fugitive had upset
q small stand covered with bric-a- brac
Mr. 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 Mr. Opdyke conclud-
ed that the fugitive had escaped
through this window. After a thorough
search Mr.. Opdyke made up his mind
that the intruder had gone, and then
for the first time it occurred TO him
that sneak thieves or burglars do not
90 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
pletely shut OF. Thee was plenty Of
light in his wifes 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, twas
your visitorT
"What vlsitor"
"The gentleman l found when I came
In making for the rear Of the house, the
man you turned out the hall gas to
screen"
MY dear, what do you mean7 ]
turned out the han gas since you 50
often forget IT, l opened my door tC
light you"
Mr.. Opdyle had too much self con
troll to give vent 10 the fire burning IN
his breast He simply stated the fact:
as they had occurred. Mrs. Opdyke sug
gested that perhaps a burglar had pui
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 hi
wife without more definite proof. New
ertheless it was plain that he has
strong suspicious. Both passed an un
comfortable night. and when da.
dawned neither had slept.
The next morning Mr. Opdyke discoy
cred his wife bandaging the foot o
her poodle that had evidently been Gu
hy the broken glass on the floor. Fl
was mentally occupied with the ma
who had upset the table she with tn
wound. and they did not discuss eithel
For a long period they lived togethe
as strangers worse than stranger
who do not necessarily wear on eac
other. while Mr.. and Mrs. Opdyke illul
trated the words Of the poet:
To be wroth with one-we love
Doth work like madness on Che brain.
Mr. Opdyke spent his evenings at tt
club and carried revolver in case h
should again meet the man he had foun
in his drawing room. One night he dral
ged himself up the steps OF his hOus'
entered and, passing the parlor doc
saw the dim figure of the intrude
For Mr. Opdyke 20 draw his weapo
and fire was the work Of a momen
He was no quicker than the other, wh
fired simultaneously with him. Nj
Opdyke felt something warm tricklin
down his cheek and, putting up hi
hand. felt warm blood. He was su
prlsed to see his enemy do the SAM
There was a quick step In the ha
above, the gas was turned up. and Mr
Opdyke came hurrying downstair
Seeing her husband wiping blood frol
his face, she cried:
''Oh, heavens. Are you killedT
mo. my dear; 1 am not. The foi
killer has not yet taken me in"
"And what's the matter with the mi
ror? Who broke ltf'
q did. was trying to kill yoJ
lover / saw his reflection there an
fired at him. A bit Of glass few at n
and caused a slight wound"
Mrs. Opdyke saw it all. Her husban
had twice mistaken his own refectic
for a visitor during his absence an
had literally tried to kill his own In
age
For months she had been suffe
ing from this ridiculous blunder, an
now in addition to the suspicion an
cold treatment she had endured Il
long and valuable pier glass, her prid
had been shattered by her husband
absurd attempt. 1t was too much 4
her equanimity. She turned on hl
heel and walked upstairs. Not eys
her husbands wound suificed to d
tain her. He. poor man, went to Il
bathroom and after stanching d
blood bound up the cut and went
bed.
1t was not till the next day after di
ner that the couple while sitting
table over their coffee were reconcile
Then for the first time the absurdity
the whole affair broke through MI