Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-01-20

<ACNh IA CuDb Va AAAAAa1og
his old friends, tormented by anxiety,
had made up her mind to communicate
with the authorities unless her alarm
should be allayed by the following
Monday. He must have received my
letter in due course the next morning,
for at II o'clock an answer was deliy-
cred at my door by hand.
Breaking the seal with not little
excitement, saw that the short note
was written by a woman--not very
well written-to the effect that Colonel
Durand would be happy to see me at
3 o'clock the same afternoon. confess
that had seldom felt more curious or
more impatient for few hours to pass,
for, tax my ingenuity as might, it
seemed difficult to hit upon probable
explanation of Durand's retirement.
"Will you walk this way, sir" said
the butler, and, somewhat to my sur
prise, he led me past the drawing-room
door, up a second flight Of stairs to a
room at the back of the house.
IF you will wait one moment, sir"
said the butler, as he cautiously open
ed the door and about 1S inches fur
ther in the room saw a second door
obviously a recent addition covered
with black baize. When the servant
invited me to enter the narrow space
between the two I confess to uncanny
apprehensions, the more when the out
er door was closed and we stood in the
most total darkness. A moment later
| was able to advance within the room,
but this also was in such darkness that
it was impossible to distinguish the
position Of the window. Though the
day was cold, no fire burned in the
CRATE. heard the door shut, and as
sumed that the butler had retired, but
II felt afraid to go further into the
black room, lest overturn some arti-
cles Of furniture.
A second later, however, recognized
Durand's voice
"That you, MarchantP
Are you there, Durand2" cried,
and then / felt hand on my arm.
LET me lead you to a chair" he
said quietly, and presently his hands
were on my shoulders as he pressed
me down.
"But what on earth makes you sit in
the darkT' demanded.
I'm going to tell you-though
should have preferred to tell nobody.
It's case, however, Of saving ones
self frori ones friends. You're the
first mai have seen since that dinner
at Mrs. Norcutt's early in December"
Lady Waters met you thereg'
my eyes had been bothering me"
he continued, 'and l had an appoint
ment with Ramsay, the ophthalmic
surgeon, the following day"
Good heaven" exclaimed, 'you
have not lost your sightT'
''NO4+-not yet" be anawered; still in
the same self controlled voice. "But I
am going to lose II. You understand
there Is not the slightest doubt about
it. Ny blindness is absolutely certain
"a nero matter Of weeks. My-my
boy is on his way home. You see, /
should like to see the dear chaps face
once more. cross-examined Ramsay.
He said that II / lived entirely In the
dark, kept quiet, didn't smoke or drink,
might just manage to hold out"
envy dear fellow-"
'sThere are only few weeks more, 4"
he continued. II believe shall do
it."
do you mean" said, ITO tell me
you have been stuck up here in total
darkness since December"
"a ray OF light" he answered,
would absolutely destroy my chance
OF seeing old Donald. It's I'VE years,
you know. We haven't met since his
mother died"
"But haven't you tried to hasten his
RETURN,
zone hates to make a fuss,2 said
Durand. "And. you understand, don't
want to see the chap with long face.
He is on the way, and l believe l am
going to hold out. SO now you can tell
Lady Waters that there's no need to
send the police. Perhaps both she and
you won't mind keeping it to your
selves. Now" he added, as / heard
him rise from the chair, Il am going
to ring for Banks to take you away"
/ stood by his side, scarcely know
ing what to say. until, first the outer
door was opened and shut, then the
inner.
LET me guide you," said Durand,
and / turned in the darkness a moment
later. gripping his hand.
''How on earth do you get through
the daysT exclaimed, almost in spite
Of myself.
Durand laughed far more cheerfully
than could have done.
Hoping / shall get a look at old
Donald" he answered. The Sketch.