Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-11-10
A Breech Of Discipline.

martinez the Colonel is."
"Confound the Colonel! l tell you
will go. The ColonePs not a dancing man
He'll know nothing about it."
"Don't you believe it. The Colonies
thick with those Lindsay girls, and
I'll bet you ten to one he's there &c
NEE. them
son, hang it! I'll take my chance
then" was the reply, in the dogged
tone of a man who knows he is in the
wrong but does not choose to yield.
Thespeakers were two officers oil
the til Regiment, which had been
quartered for the last SIX months at
Singleborough. The subject for dis
cussion was u public ball which was
TO take place that evening. The regi-
ment was to be rclievediin day or two,
and the ball would be the last at
which the gallant officers of the til
would appear in that hospitaple town.
1t had been gay season, and the red
coats had entered heartily i'll the festlv-
lties, and, now that their departure
drew nigh there might have been
many an incipient heartache in gen.
tie bosom mere and there. The girls,
lIuttu, III LilAb ldNolth uloIl NV "SAO ~
pretty that even brave soldier might
he excused if a pang shot through his
manly breast at the thought of leaving
them behind.
Captain Kendall looked very obsti-
nate as he answered the prudent ad-
monitions of his friend Brereton, who
gave loNd whistle, and tapped the
ground ominously with his cane.
81 gave you credit for more com
mon sense" he resumed, after a
pause.
"Then you are mistaken, you see"
$50 it seems; but it is IN awful pity.
You'll he cashered, to u certainty, for
tho old fellow il keen AZ II hawk, and
il sure to find you out. | say, man, be
advised; give it up; the games too
dangerous"
"Pooh!" exclaimed the other, testify;
81 tell you the Colonel won't be there,
and, if he were, trust me to dodge
him. Why, bless you'll he's blind as a
moIem
His friend looked utterly uncon.
WINGED, but remonstrance was plainly
of no use.
ITS all because of that Leslie Cir"
he said, ruefully, for he was honestly
attached TO his messmate, and saw
clearly the consequences which might
BIO expected TO follow upon his attend
ance vt the ball. Iordl what an ass
spooning makes of u fellow Thank
heaven, Pm not in loveW
"Sparc your eloquence, and have
done now, can't your" replied Captain
Kendall, uugraciously. $50 | must
aud will, but trust me to take care of
myself"
The two friends walked down the
rest of the street i'll silence till Brereton
turned into his club, while the other
went ON, with slightly anxious frown
on his handsome suu-burnt face, and
swinging his cane uneasily. He knew
Breroton was right, but wrong is apt to
he stronger than right sometimes, and
tho temptation il his case was power
full. He was about to commit, deliber-
ately, glaring breach of military dis
cipline, which, If discovered, would
assuredly cost him dear, and put an
end to more pleasant hopes than one.
Noverth eless, he was quite determined
to risk it, 1t was his duty to keep
guard that night Mt the ROYAL Bank
and his Colonel was not man who
would lightly overlook even trihine
otlensc against the military code.
"Where is Captain Kendal?" he
asked, H he alighted, in stentorian
tones which vibrated strangely through
the silence, with II sort of angry, expect.
ant note OF triumph.
t'tlIt pI1ar1 y anstuNrol IN N Ia inr
CURLY.
"What2' cried the Colonel, in the
shrillest of accents. He was to utterly
taken aback to say anaihor word. The
sentinel, adopting his usual stolid de
meanor, took no notice of his evident
establishment. Captain Kendall heard
the inquiry from within, and came for
ward. REFRESHING any inward tremors
he might feel, he resolved to put bold
face on the matter.
Here, sir; do you require me?' he
asked, coolly.
The Colonel stared ut him. His face,
with Its expression of mingled sternuess
and entire bewiderment, would have
been no mean study for painter.
He could hardly believe his eyes.
NCtillN SNlhAililAlAiS lilt younger man,
who did not quail before his gaze, he
said, stltily, after Il pause of some sec
onds:
Il certainly thought sir, saw you at
the ball in D street just now !"
ME, sir?' replied the other, audaci-
ously. "Why, | am on guard SIR"
at is very singular" resumed the
Colonel, without relaxing his scrutiny,
and slightly raising his voice. Il could
have sworn that saw you there -
Very singular, indeed, sir, retorted
the delinquent, gaining boldness from
the very extremity of the strait to which
he found himself reduced, "since a
man can't I've in two places at once, and
you have found me here. A case of
mistaken identity, perhaps, sir"
The two men stool still eyeing each
other, one keenly eager TO detect, the
other as eagerly seeking to avoid detec-
ton. The Colonel was completely
batiled, The man was here before
him-that was certain; but how, hay
ing left him, rs he felt sure he had
done, among the guests at the ball, he
came To be there now was inexplicable.
Not having wings wherewith to fly, how
on earth had the fellow got there ?
Could he have been mistaken, he won
dered, for a moment. But no, he knew
he had not.
He shifted the form of his lnterroga-
tons:
Then you were not at the ball?' he
asked, very pointedly.
The young officer WAS worthy of all
condemnation for having forsaken the
post of duty. But though he had acted
inexcusably, ne was still gentleman
and he would not pollute his lips with a
lie. He hesitated for reply; then par
ried the question with another.
How could be at the ball when
you find me here sir?" he asked.
Yes, how? that was the mystery, the
simple solution of which was the
furthest in the world from presenting
itself to the Colonel's brain. He knew
that it was quite impossible for another
carriage to have arrived before his own.
His coachman had driven quickly
enough to satisfy even his impatience,
and he could not have failed to notice ii
another vehicle had preceded or follow.
ed his through the deserted streets. He
could not in the least understand it.
Silent, but wholly unconvinced, he
sat down In the hall what it might be-