Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-01-21
E3 El EEl l EI Ell EH En- q
KEEPING DARK
e 48 #l # s

n WANT you to tell me what has
become of Colonel Durand." said
Lady Waters, about 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" l returned.
Il can't understand it in the least"
she continued. Il confess l begin to
feel immensely uneasy. l even went
as far as to call at his house"
Wasn't he at homer"
AT all events, his man admitted he
was in London. l met him three
weeks ago at dinner at Mrs. Norcutts,
and he kept us all amused the whole
evening. Mrs. Norcutt was saying af-
forwards that no one could possibly be-
lleve he had son who must be near
ly 30"
by the bye" l asked, isn't Cap
tain Durand expected home from In
dla ?"
In April, believe" said Lady
Waters. Yes" she added, Colonel
Durand is certainly the youngest-Iook-
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" l suggested. perhaps
he has run down bit, and prefers TO
lie low"
He was engaged to dine with me
two days after 1 met him at Mrs. Nor
cults" she explained, land his letter
OF excuse didn't seem even to be writ
ten by himself"
"A womans hand"
Yes" she answered, and 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
hlly' | suggested.
Il 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 gagements-refuses 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?"
IF l could tell you how l could
probably act for myself" she answer
ed, but have known Colonel Durand
a good many years, and l can't help
feeling anxious. Something" she In
sisted. must be done"
l admit a desire TO stand well with
Lady Waters, although in the present
case it seemed difficult to see how it
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 l 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. n
said the butler, and l placed one foot
over the threshold.
Not out Of London?" l suggested.
NO, sir"
"Is the colonel quite wellY"
"Quite well, sir"
HE doesn't appear to have received
any of his friends very recentlyY
Not very recently. sir"
81 presume" | 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.
You didn't attempt TO bride the but
ler," she suggested, whereupon / ex
planned that l did not care to brib,
any member of a friends household.
BESIDES" l added. 1.-The butler USED
TO be one OF the colonels regimenta
servants; the two left the army to
gether, and he is absolutely incorrupt
lble."
well" said Lady Waters, 81 can
pretend to be satisfied. One hears o.
the strangest things. Why should
Colonel Durand refuse to receive any
body2. Why doesn't he write his owl
lettersf No one outside his own housi
has seen him for three weeks, and yoi
must admit the affair has a mysterious
appearance"
did not dispute the statement 70
an instant, although l had no doub
the colonel had some excellent reasoi
for his retirement. In my case, 1 di,
not see my way to take any furthe
steps in the matter, and, indeed, boil
Lady Waters and myself were on tn
point OF leaving London for Christ