Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-06-17
KEEPING DARK
EH3 s

n WANT you to tell me what has
become of Colonel Durand," said
Lady Waters, about a fortnight
before Christmas, and her disappoint-
ment was perfectly unmistakable when
l expressed my inability to enlighten
her.
Every other person l meet is ask
ing the same question" | returned.
II can't understand 1t In the least"
feel immensely uneasy l even went
as far as to call at his house"
Wasn't he at homer
1At all events, his man admitted he
was in London. l met him three
weeks ago at dinner at Mrs Norcutt's.
and he kept us all amused the whole
evening. Mrs. Norcutt was saying af-
forwards that no one could possibly be-
lieve he had a son who must be near
ly 80"
by the bye" l asked, isn't Cap
tain Durand expected home from In
dia p
I'm April. believe" said Lady
Waters. Yes" she added, Colonel
Durand is certainly the youngest-look-
Ing man for his age in London-and
one of the handsomest and pleasant
est. But can't understand what has
happened to him."
"Oh, WELL" suggested, perhaps
he has run down a bit, and prefers to
lie low"
HE was engaged to dine with me
two days after l met him at Mrs. Nor
cults" she explained. and his letter
Of excuse didn't seem even to be writ
ten by himself"
"A woman's hand"
"Ye-es," she answered, and a short
silence followed. He must be alone
with only the servants in his house."
Lady Waters continued.
But are you certain he is there at
ALP l suggested.
II am not certain of anything she
cried. Il feel extremely uncertain.
Here is one OF the most popular men
In society, who suddenly puts off all
his Observation-Disclosures to see any
body, doesn't even write his letters
himself. There's mystery In the face
Of his servants; they have evidently
received special instructions. Now"
Lady Waters added, Il want you to
clear the matter up"
But how"
probably act for myself" she answer
ed, but have known Colonel Durand
a good many years. and can't help
feeling anxious. Something" she in
sisted, must be done"
admit a desire to stand well with
Lady Waters, although in the present
case 1t seemed difficult 20 see how 1t
was possible to crafty her. AS l had
explained, she was by no means the
only person to wonder what had oc-
Cured in connection with Durand, who
had In effect suddenly disappeared
from his friends.
After considerable reflection the only
feasible plan appeared to be a jour
ney to his house In Manchester street,
where he had lived alone since his
wife's death, over four years ago.
There more than once had been en-
tertained at his small and very select
parties, than which none in London
were more enjoyable.
Colonel Durand Is not at home, sir
said the butler, and l placed one foot
over the threshold.
Not out Of London?" l suggested.
NO SIR"
as the colonel quite wellT
"Quite well, SIR"
"He doesn't appear to have received
, any of his friends very recentlyf'
, Not very recently, SIR"
Il presume" l persisted. "that, al
though he is not at home to visitors
Colonel Durand is actually In the
Louise"
, HE Is not at home to visitors, sir,
was the discreet answer. so that l re
turned to Lady Waters no whit wiser
< than left her.
i you didn't attempt to bride the but
l ler," she suggested. wksreCpon l ex
q planned that l did rot care to brib,
any member of friends household.
+ Besides" added. the butler use,
to be one OF the coloners regimenta
o servants; the two left the army to
b gether, and he is absolutely incorrupt
e lble."
WELL" said Lady Waters, 81 can
u pretend to be satisfied. One hears o
, the strangest things. Why shoul,
{ Colonel Durand refuse to receive any
body? Why doesn't he write his owi
lettersl No one outside his own hous
, has seen him for three weeks, and 20
1 must admit the affair has a mysteriou
appearance"
y did not dispute the statement 70
q an instant, although l had no douh
d the colonel had some excellent reaso
for his retirement. In my case, di
,e not see my way to take any furthe
v steps In the matter. and. indeed. bot
10 Lady Waters and myself were on II
point Of leaving London for Chris