Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-12-23
A NIGHT OF DEATH.

Ns6oa oh tiO hiSuts N uIikkits nnti Ikiu
and half snow, set In with 1t, and cut
the face Of the unlucky pedestrian like
90 much hail
At the club we huddled around the
fires and, warm though the rooms were,
shivcred uncomfortably every time a
strong gust would send the sleet driving
against the window panes.
s.Ughr said the colonel. looking ut me
under his heavy eyebrows. and grasping
the lapels of his coat he pulled them to-
gether as though 10 shut out the un-
pleasant feeling that seemed to prevail
In the air.
ishivered sympathetically.
"a bad night" muttered tho colonel
laconically, and he drew his chair closer
10 the fireplace.
"lt might be WORSE" he said, with an
attempt at cheerfulness: but 1t fell fat
IL WAS near midnight, and Colonel
Montfort and had just returned from
the theater 70 enjoy moments warmth
In the clubroom. We had it almost to
ourselves, for the night did not encounsgs
late wanderings.
rose TO my feet and stretched my
arms and legs.
Homer inquired the colonel look
ing at his watch.
"Just as well" said with shrug Of
my shoulders; the gloom and dismal
ness of the weather seemed to have set
tied everywhere.
suite OF rooms in one Of the best flats in
st. Paul, and led a 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
liant 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 Ia 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 II Is extremely doubtful that
this David will ever inflict death
wound to this Goliath" interposcd a
friend.
We laughed at the idea.
But the colonel rose with a yawn, and
again looking at his watch donned his
wraps, and we went out into the slip
perry streets.
"Not beastly cab in sight," grum-
bled my friend. as we peered about.
Sand ON such q night toor he added,
with grimace.
So we had to make the best OF 1t, and
trudged slowly home through the siush.
The rain poured and beat upon us, and
the wind swirled pitilessly about oui
muffied heads.
"Ugh," said the colonel with q shake
And "Ughr' repeated |. But could
not shake off the depression that had
settled upon me with the sleet; and I
foreboding of evil took possession OF ms
that tried In vain to dispel.
was possessed Of very sensitive
nerves, and this combined with the lif'
led and tho influences that had sur
rounded me since my birth made me |
coward In some things. And never di,
feel such an undefinable dread, ans
never were my senses 50 quick TO max
mountains out Of molehills as ut th
times when my spirits were depresse'
and my nerves made jangling by unto
ward weather. ! was veritaDly COW
ard in the dark.
Usually when got In well lighte'
and heated room ! could shake this dc
precision off: but not 30 tonight.
.You look excited. my dear Kane,
= said the colonel as we aung ourselves 4
easy chairs and stirred mp the fire.
rose and went to the looking glass |
I, ono end of the room and started bac
shocked as caught sight Of my face.
Il was filled with q tense, suppresse
excitement that had never seen ther
before-hair actually appeared lik
bristles upon my head, and under m
eyes were large, dark rings.
After my first start | laughed soms
= what awkwardly am afraid. and tol
The colonel that l had evidsntly bee
dissipating too heavily of late.
He s,aiiea aheently and kept starin
into the fire.
.well, guess I'll 80 to bod" sai
N after . pause.
v The colonel nodded without lookin
an. and bidding him good night ! le
the coy sitting room and made prepGrl
tions for repcse.
: The colonel and | occupied separai
\ slssping apartments. as our suite vi
n large, using the remaining rooms .
gether. Until day or two ago we IA
had q valet who attended to our want
but he had left us. and We had ~ y
been unable to find suitable person
70 take his place. My room was quite lari
for q bedroom. but for that reason ! pr
ferred it 10 smaller one. a. was qui
% q sticklsr On matters Of hygiene.
x undresssd and went 70 bed. innai
a hsa<d the coionsl lssss the sitting roc