New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-15
A BREACH OF DISCIPLINE.
,,,,o nan srootino Rrereton , 7 must co.


| and Won know what n martinez the Colonel is
'Confound the Colonel ! tell yuu, will go The
| Coonels not dancing man. He'll know hothihg
don't Won believe it. The ColonePs thick with
those Lindsay girls and I'll bet you ten 10 one he
"Oh hang it I'll take my chance them was the
reply In the logged tone OF a man who knows nc Is
in the wrong but does not choose to yield.
The speakers were two officers of the I'll Neglment
which had been quartered for the last six months at
SiuglehorOuph The subject of discussion was u
| qr-at public ball which was to take place tnat
| evening. The regiment was to be relieved IN q Gay
mr. two and the ball would be the last at which the
gallant officers of the -th would appear III tnat
6ospItuble town. 1t had been gay season. ana tIe
redcoats had entered heartily into the esVltes ana
now that their departure drew nigh, there might
have been many an ncpent heartache IN gehto
bosom here and there. The girls indeed OF tha1
favored district so pretty, that even u DraNe
suldier might DO excused IL pang shot through
his manly breast at the thought OF leaving them be-
hind. ..4 - L
answered the prudent admoptiOns of his friend
Brereton who gave n long whistle, and tapped inc
ground omnOusly with his cane.
aave You credit for more common sense, ne re-
sumed after pause.
Then you were mistaken. you see
so IL seems, but IL is an awful pity. 1ou'll no
cashered TO a certainty. for the old fe Is keen
as n hawk and is sure to find You out say, man;
be advised give il uP; the games too dIns g o1
the Colonel won't be there, and II he were trust 10
me 10 dodge hun. Why, bless you! he's bind as a
Ills friend looked utterly unconvinced. but re-
monstrance was plainly of no use.
It's all pecars Sc OF that Leslie GIRL ne said rue
mate and saw clearly the consequences when
might be expected to follow upon his attendance
at the ball. Lord what an ass spOOnlng makes
of a fellow Thank Heaven, I'm not in love!
Spare Your eloquence and have done now, can't
Won \ replied Captain Kendall ungrac iously TO,
must and WILL but trust to me to take care oil my
The two friends walked down the rest of the
street in silence till Brereton turned into his
club, while the UthoT went on, with slightly
anxious frown on his handsome sun-Durnt face, and
swinging his cane uneaslv He knew Brereton
was right, but wrong is apt to he stronger than
right sometimes, and the temptation in this case
WAS powerful. He was about TO commit, dellber-
ately, glaTing breach OF military ciplne' With,
if discovered would assuredly cost him dear and
put an end to moro pleasant hopes than one.
Nevert heless he quite determined to risk 1t. 1t
was his duty TO keep gnard that night at the Royal
Bank and his colonel was not IA man who would
lightly overlook even trIlIug offence against the
What, Then. was the motive which could induce
this gallant young officer OF her Majestys service,
who had already won distinction for his bravery
on the battlefield, and who had always acquitted
himself well and hOnOrahly heretofore, to plan
recklessy grave an infringement of duty as the
abandonment of the post he was bound III all honor
10 guard
conduct must be found in his state OF mind. which
was abnormal. Brercton was hight. There was a
woman in the case. Before his minds eye, there
yoUng man from the fight path a pair OF blue
eyes "a sweet smile. graceful grlish form, to gaze
on which the foolish fellow would have travelled
And she was to be at the ball, surrounded by
admirng SWANS, of one, or two of whom he was
madlv Jealous: and who knew what might
happen while he was absentf
lie might of course have spoken D. certain
momcntous little word before, and ne had thought
now ana then, that it would not have fallen on
reluctant But he had gone on basking in the
sweet sunshine of her sunless too happy III the
present TO think much of the future, and he had
lust beard casually that tomorrow morning early
She was to eaNe town for her homo III the country.
To-day too, chance had brought sudden reyea-
ton to his heart. Till then he hal not been tully
aware of the strength OF his own feelings for that
bue-eved charmer. GA turning down a street
corner. he had suddenly face 10 face with
her and ID close attendance upon her was Maddox
OF the til Lanccrs, n brilliant AdonlS whom 'adeS
weTt terribly partial 10. In his face Harry Kendall
read something that made him trembe for his own
hopes. and showed him too In d startling moment
of time how his whole life's happiness was boumd
az storm of anxious fears in his breast and
left the green-eyed monster raging there.
Was he at this important crisis OF fate to stand
tamely aside and to leave her to the wiles of that
handsome LOthario to lie wh.red away from him
Of that festive night, while he kept lonely watch
over old money-bags Maddcning thought And
tomorrow she would be gone. On, why had he
not known soOner' Tomorrow would he 100 late
No he could not let love and happiness 20 down
the stream without making an effort to hold them
fast Duty might go to the winds for once He
would 20 to The ball. where he could see her that
night And as to the Colonel Surely he would
not sport his stately antIguated presence IN suUh
giddv uncongeual scene. And if re did Brereton
might say what he plcased-the Colonies shortness
of sight was proVcrbial,
Alas! Venus with her wicked elf Cupid had
strangely bewitched this misguided son OF Mars, as
there is evidence enough to prove they have be-
wtched many stalwart hero in every age and
cline!
The bank. a great solid building of dark grey
stone stood in an inclOsure. A the rear was
court encircled by "A fence, in which WAS small
wicket gate opening into lane a short distance be-
low the main entrance, and used chiefly Tor COM
muncation with the back premises. At night it was
the other hand faced OF the prime pal thorough
fares. and was approached through massive outer
gate, which, like the smaller one, was carefully
closed after nightfall
Captain Kendall did not change his mind As
the evening wore on, he slipped Out, merely inform
ing the sentinel that no should soon return. The
old soldier who had known and loved his young
officer for some years, shook his head OmiuOusly
keep his counsel if possible.
The truant meanwhile sped on his wilful way.
and banisning all anxious reflections, appeared in
the ballroom in time to secure the hand OF his far
charmcr for several dances Fortune seemed
disposed TO smile prop itiOus y on him, and the
coast was clear. The Colonel was not to DO seem
and no one else cared to inquire too cuIlOusy what
officer ought to be on guard at the bank on that
particular night AS he led out the lady. the scape-
grace lover had the satisfaction of seeing his rival
turn away with lowering brow. He was de
termned to lose no time now In the maze of the
waltz. while the soft undulatng strains of Strauss
stepped the senses OF the dancers in sweet dreams
OF delight, under the roseato light OF the many
wax candles in that perfumed. crowded ballroom
Il question was asked, and an answer TREMENDOUSLY
whispered, which transported two young people
into temporary paradise Of their own creating
where there were only they two, ana no room for
any other besides No wonder that at such a
moment all minor subldnary considerations were
forgotten.
But, when brief ecstatic hour had passed, and
they emerged once more from the rosy pavilion
WHITTIER they had retreated among the flowers,
there loOned, dark and erect in the distant door
wnY of The ndinnng ballroom. a tall martial