The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-01-20

WANT you to tell me what has
become of Colonel Durand," said
Lady Waters, about a fortnight
before Christmas. and her disappoint-
ment wal perfectly unmistakable when
I expressed my inability to enlighten
her.
Every other person l meet is ask
ing the same question:" l returned.
II can't understand 1t In the least"
she continued. Il confess l begin to
feel Immensely uneasy. I eve went
II far a. to call at his house."
Wasn't he at homer
AT all events, his man admitted he
was in London. 1 met him three
weeks ago at dinner at Mrs. Norcutt's,
and he kept us all amused the whole
evening. Mrs. Norcutt was saying at
forwards that no one could possibly be-
Iieve he had a son who must be near
~ 30"
by the bye" l asked, isn't Cap
tain Durand expected home from In
diaf"
I'm April, l believe" said Lady
Waters. Eyes," 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 l can't understand what has
happened to him."
"Oh, WELL" l suggested. perhaps
he has run down a bit, and prefers to
lie low"
He wal engaged to dine with me
two days after l met him at Mrs. Nor
CUTS" 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
all" ! suggested.
II am not certain of anything" she
cried. II feel extremely uncertain.
Here IL one of the most popular men
In society, who suddenly puts of all
his Recommendations 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 howl"
IF l could tell you how I could
probably act for myself" she answer
ed. 'but l have known Colonel Durand
Z good many years, and l can't help
feeling anxious. Something" she In
sisted, must be done"
I admit q desire to stand we'll with
Lady Waters, although in the present
case 1t seemed dificult to see how II
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 hi
wifess death, over four years ago
There more than once I had been en-
tertained at his small and very selec
parties, than which none In LondoI
were more enjoyable.
Colonel Durand Is not at home, SIR
said the butler, and l placed one foo
over the threshold.
"Not out of LondonT l suggested.
mo. SIR"
"Is the colonel quite wellf"
.'Quite well, SIR"
HE doesn't appear to have receive,
any of his friends very recently?
mot very recently, sir"
II presume" l persisted. "that, al
though he IL mot at home to visitors
Colonel Durand is actually In tn
Louise"
HE is not at home to visitors, sir,
was the discreet answer, SO that l re
turned to Lady Waters no whit wise
than I left her.
"You didn't attempt to bride the but
ler,". she suggested, whereupon I ez
planned that / did not care to brib
any member of a friends household.
"Besides." l added. "the butler use
j, to be one Of the ~coionel's regiments
servants; the two left the army t.
gether. and he IL absolutely incorrup
lble."
well" said Lady Waters, II can
pretend to be satisfied. One hears {
the strangest things. Why shoul
Colonel Durand refuse to receive an.
bodyi Why doesn't he write his ow
lsttersf No one outside his own houi
has seen him for three weeks. and yo
must admit the affair has q mysteriot
Appearance"
l did not dispute the statement 4
an instant although I had no doul
thu colonel had some excellent reasc
ar HIS refirement- In my case, ! d