The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-11-24

DtstctOu WAS IiSHt, Dut WIOhS 10 APT u
be stronger than right, sometimes, and
the temptation in this case was power.
full. He was about to commit, deliber
ately, glaring breach of military dis
cipline, which, if discovered, would as
suredly cost him dear and put an END
to moro pleasant hopes than one. New
crtheless he was determined TO risk it
1t was his duty TO keep guard that nigh
at the Royal Bank, and his colonel was
not man who would lightly overlook
even trihing offence against the mill.
tary code.
Whist, then, was the motive which
could induce this gallant young officer
of her Majesty's service, who had al.
readyswon distinction for his bravery
on the battlefield, and who had ALWAYS
acquitted himself well and honorably
heretofore, to plan recklessly so grave
an infringement of duty as the aband-
onment of the post ho was bound in all
honor to guard.
| we ofler no excuse. But the expla.
nation of his conduct must be found in
MS state of mind, which was abnormal.
Brereton was right. There was wo-
nan in the case. Before his minds
eyes there danced lovely vision that
lured tho infatuated young man from
TIC right path; pair of blue eyes, a
sweet smile, graceful girlish form, to
gszc on whtAh the foolish fellow would
have travelled miles.
And she was TO be at the. ball, sur
rounded by admiring swains, of one or
two OF whom he was madly jealous;
who knew what might happen while he
was absent?
lie might of course have spoken n
certain momentous little word before,
and he had thought, now and then. thot
it would not have fallen on reluctant
cars. But he had gone on basking in
'he sweet sunshine of her tsmiles. foo
happy in the present 10 think much of
the future, and he had just heard ,casu-
ally that tomorrow morning carly she
was to leave town for her home in the
country.
To-day, too, chance had brought
sudden revelation to his heart. Till
then he had not been fully aware of
the strength of his own feelings for that
olue'eyed charmer. On turning down
street corner he had como face to face
with her, and in close attendance upon
her was Eaddox of the - tn Lancers, a
brilliant Adonis whom ladies were ter
rlbly partial to. In his face Kendall
read something that made him tremble
for his hopes, and showed him too, in
startling moment of time, how his
whole lifc's happiness was bound up in
boz mt - o-"V. VI rec0gn-
ton awoke a storm of anxious fears in
his breast, and LETT the green-eyed
monster raging there.
Was he at this important crisis of fate
TO stand tamcly aside and to leave her
to The wilcs of that handsome Lothario.
to DO whirled away from him forever
IN the waltz, during the enchanted hours
Of that festive night, while he kept lone.
ly watch over old money-bags! Mad.
dcning thought!
AND tomorrow she would be gone.
Oh, why had he not known sooner?
Tomorrow would be too late!
No; he could not let love and happi-
ness go down the stream without max.
ing an effort to hold them fast. Duty
might 60 TO the winds for once. He
would go TO the ball, where he could
see her that night. And as to the Col
onel! Surely he would not spot his
stately antiquated presence in such a
giddy, uncongenial scene. And if he
did Brercton might say what he pleas.
ed-the Colonols shortness of sight
was proverbial
Alas! Venus with her wicked elf
Cupid had strangely bewitched him, as
there is evidence enough to prove
they have bewitched many stalwart
hero in every age and climcl
The bank, q great solid building of
dark grey stone, stood in an inclosure.
At The rear was court encircled by
fence, in which was small wicket gate
opening into a lane a short distance be-
low the man entrance. and used chief
ly for communication with the back
premises. AT night it was always kept
locked. The front of the building, on
the other hand, faced one of the princi-
pal thoroughfarcs, and was approached
througha a massive outer gate, which,
like the smaller one, was carefully clos
ed after nightfall.
Captain Kendall did not change his
mind. AS the evening wore on, he slip
ped out, merely informing the seminal
that he should soon return. The old
soldier, who had known and loved his
young officer for some years, shook. his
head ominously as he saw him depart,
but inwardly resolved 10 keep his coun-
sci If possible.
The truant meanwhile sped ON his
wilful way, and banishing all anxiou
reflections, appeared in the ball room
in time TO secure the hand of his fair
charmer for several dances. Fortune
seemed disposed to smile propitiously
on him and the. coast was clear.
The Colonel was not to be seen, and no
one else cared to inquire too curiously
what officer ought to be on guard at the