Arizona republican., 1892-03-03
A NIGHT OF DEATH.

iI was a uiSdSreeaDle nlSnV. A snarp, cutting wind had set in early in the evening, and continued with unabated vigor all the night. A drizzle, half rain and half snow, set in with it, and cut the face of the unlucky pedestrian like so much hail.
 At the club we huddled around the fires and, warm though the rooms were, shivered uncomfortably every time a strong gust would send the sleet driving against the window panes.
 "Ugh!" said the colonel, looking at me under his heavy eyebrows, and grasping the lapels of his coat he pulled them to- gether as though to shut out the un- pleasant feeling that seemed to prevail in the air.
 shivered sympathetically.
 "A bad night" muttered the colonel laconically, and he drew his chair closer to the fireplace.
 1t might be worse" he said, with an attempt at cheerfuluess; but it fell flat
 It was near midnight, and Colonel Montfort and had just returned from the thcater to enjoy n moments warmth in tho clubroom. We had it almost to ourselves, for the night did not encourage late wanderings.
 1 rose to my feet and stretched my arms and legs.
 "Home" inquired the colonel look ing at his watch
 "Just as well, l said with shrug of my shoulders; the gloom and dismal ness of the weather seemed to have set tied everywhere.
 Colonel Montfort and 1 enjoyed a suite of rooms in one of the best flats in St. Paul, and led nearly ideal exist tence for two such old bachelors as we were.
 The colonel was an old southern man, and had seen service in the Brothers war" He had earned his rank by val iant and distinguished service for the Union forces. He was tall, well built man, with commanding presence, and although past the middle age carried his years well.
 l, on the other hand, although snugly put together and possessed of unusual endurance, was greatly his inferior in point of physique, and our friends at the club were wont to allude to us as David and Goliath"
 That comparison is unjust" the colonel said one day laughingly, "for am sure neither of us desires the others death."
 And we did not think then that one ever would.
 And it is extremely doubtful that this David will ever inhict death wound to this Goliath" interposed a friend.
 We laughed at the idea.
 But the colonel rose with yawn, and again looking at his watch donned his wraps, and we went out into the slip pery streets.
 Not beastly cab in sight," grum- bled my friend, as we peered about. And on such night toor' he added, with grimace.
 So we had to make the best of it, and trudged slowly home through the slush. The rain poured and beat upon us, and the wind swirled pitilessly about our untitled heads.
 "Ugh," said the colonel with shake. And "Ughr' repeated l. But could not shake off the depression that had settled upon me with the sleet; and Q foreboding of evil took possession of me that tried in vain to dispel.
 was possessed of very sensitive nerves, and this combined with the life 1 led and the influences that had sur rounded me since my birth made me a coward in some things. And never did feel such an undefnable dread, and never were my senses so quick to make mountains out of molehills as at the times when my spirits were depressed and my nerves made dangling by unto ward weather. was vertically cow ard in the dark
 Usually when got in well lighted and heated room could shake this de- pression off; but not so tonight
 You look excited, my dear Kane," said the colonel as we flung ourselves in easy chairs and stirred up the fire. l rose and went to the looking glass in one end of the room and started back shocked as caught sight of my face.
 It was filled with a tense, suppressed excitement that had never seen there before-hair actually appeared like bristles upon my head, and under my eyes were large, dark rings.
 After my first start l laughed some what awkwardly am afraid, and told the colonel that l had evidently been dissipating too heavily of late.
 He smiled absently and kept staring into the fire.
 Well. guess I'll go to bed" said after pause
 The colonel nodded without looking up, and bidding him good night left the cozy sitting room and made prepara- lions for repose.
 The colonel and l occupied separate sleeping apartments, as our suite was large, using the remaining rooms to- gethcr Until a day or two ago we had had valet who attended to cur wants, but he had left us, and WIG had as yet been unable to find a suitable person to take his place. My room was quite large for bedroom, but for that reason pre- ferred it to smaller one, as l was quite stickler on matters of hygiene.
 undressed and went to bed. finally heard the colonel leave the sitting room