Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-02-19
A NIGHT OF DEATH.

II was n disagrooable night. a sharp,
cutting wind had set in carly In the
evening. and continued with unsbaled
vigor all the night. A drizzle, half rain
and half snow, set In with II. and cut
the face OF tho unlucky pedestrian like
10 much hail.
At tho club we huddlcd around tho
fires and, warm though the rooms were,
shiycrcd uncomfortably every time
strong gust would send the sleet driving
against the window panes
"UghT said the colonel, looking ~ me
under his heavy eyebrows. and grasping
tho lapels OF his coat he pullcd them to-
gcthor ~ though 10 shut ont the I'M
pleasant feeling that seemed 70 prevail
In tho air.
shiyeroi sympathoticnlly.
~ bad night muttered IN, colonel
lnconically, and he drew his chair closer
to the fireplace.
at might he WORSE" ho said, with IN
attempt at choorfulness; but It fell Hat
It was near midnight, mud Colonel
Moutfort and had just returned from
the thoator 10 enjoy moments warmth
In the clubroom. We had 1t almost to
ourselves, for the night did not encourage
late wandorings.
1 rose 10 my feet and stretched my
arms and legs
"IIomeyi inouircd tho colonel look.
ing al his watch.
'Just rs WELL said with shrug Of
my shoulders; tho gloom and dismal
.ncss OF tho weather seemed to have sut-
tied everywhere.
Colonel Montfort and | enioycd n
suite of rooms In one Of the best flats in
81. Paul. and lod a nearly ideal exist.
tenco for two such old bachelors as we
were.
Tho colonel was an old southern man,
and had seen service in tho brothers
war;" He hsd earned his rank by val.
liant and distinguished service for the
Union forces. lie was tall. well built
man. with n commanding presence, and
although past the middle age carried
his years we'll.
/, on the other hand. although snugly
put together and possessed Of unusual
endurance, was greatly his inferior in
point Of phyaique, and our friends at the
club were wont to alludo to US Us David
and Goliath"
THAT comparison Is unjust" tho
colonel said one day laughingly, "for
am sure neither Of US desires tho others
death"
And we did not think thcn that one
ever would.
"And Il IA extremely doubtful that
this David will over inflict death
wound to this Goliath" interpreted q
friend.
We laughed at tho idea.
But the colonel rose with yawn. and
again looking at his watch donnod hii
wraps, and we went out into tho slip
pcry streets.
mot a beastly cab in sight" grum
bled my friend, a. we poercd about
"And on such night toor' he added
with grimace.
SO we had TO make the best Of IL, AMI
trudged slowly home through the slush
The rain pourod and bent upon us, an,
tho wind swirled pitilessly about GU
muilled heads.
"Ugh," said tho colonel with shake
And "Ughr repeated |. But coul,
not shake OF tho depression that hat
sottled upon me with the sleot; and
forsboding Of evil took possession Of IN
that ! tried in vain to dispel.
| was possessed Of very sensitiv
nerves, and this combined with the lif
lod and the influences that had sur
rounded mo since my birth made me
coward in some things. And mover di,
l feel such an undefnable dread. an
never were my senses 40 quick to max
mountains out Of molehiils as at tn
times whom my spirits were depresse,
and my nerves made jangling by unto
ward weather. was veritably q COW
ard in the dark.
Usually when / got In q well lighte
and heated room could shake this de
preston off, but not so tonight.
"You look excited my dear Kane,
said the colonel a. we flung ourselves /
easy chairs aud stirred up the fire.
rose and went to the looking glass Il