The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-11-09

on guard, and You know what mAriine
ihe Colonel ia a 49, ~
Coniound tie colonel toll you. Isil
60 The oo,opci's uot dancing mAn
He'll know nothing about 1t. g
Don't yon believe IT. The Colonel
thick with those Lindsay girla. and III
bol yoa ten 10 one he's there TO meet them
4 Oh hang III III take my chance then.
was the the reply in the dogged tone OF
man who knows he is in the wrong, bn
does not choose to yield.
| The speakers were two officers OF ihe-ti
Regiment, which had been quartered TO
the la4, six months as Singlsboro. Th'
subject OF discussion was great pnbli'
ball which was 10 take place that evening
The regiment was To be relieved in day
or two, and tho ball would be tho last a
which the gallant officers of'the-th would
be in that hospitable town. lthad beer
a gay season, and the redcoats bad entered
heartily into the festivities, and now that
their departure was nigh, that there must
have been many an incipient heart ache IN
a gentle bosom here and there. The girls
indeed Of that favored district were SO
pretty, that even a brave soldier might be
excused il pang shot through his manly
breast at the thought Of leaving them be-
hind.
Captain Kendall looked very obstinate as
he answered the prudent admonitions OF
his friend Brereton. who gave long
whistle. and tapped the ground ominousiy
with his cane. gave you credit for more
common sense, he resumed after pause.
Then you were mistaken, you see.
So it seems, but it is an awful pity,
| You'll be ehashiered to certainty, for the
old fellow is keen as hawk and is sure to
find you out. | say, man, be advised give
it up; the games too dangerous.
| Pooh! exclaimed the other testify. l
tell you the Colonel won't be there, and If
he were, trust to me to dodge him. Why,
bless youl he's blind as q molel
His frierd looked utterly unconvinced,
but remonstrance was plainly Of no use.
It's all because of that Leslie girl, he
said ruefully for heswas honestly attached
TO his messmate, and saw clearly the con-
sequences which might be expected to fol-
low upon, his attendance at the ball. Lord
what An ass spooning makes OF fellow!
Thank Heaven, l am not in love!
Spare you eloquence and have done
now, can't you? replied Captain Kendall
ungraciously. Go, I must and will, but
trust me to take care of myself.
The two friends walked down the rest of
the street in silence till Brereton turned in
to his club, while the other went on, with
q slightly anxious frown on his handsome
sun burnt face. and swinging his cane un-
easily He knew Brereton was right, but
wrong is apt to be stronger than right,
sometimes, and the temptation in this case
was powerful. He was about to commit,
deliberately, glaring breach of military
discipline, which, il discovered, would as
suredly cost him dear and put an end to
more pleasant hopes then one. Neverthe
less he was determined to risk it, 1t was
his duty to keep guard that night at the
Royal Bank, and his colonel was not
man who would lightly overlook even
trifing offence against the military code.
What, then, was the motive which could
induce this gallant young officer Of her
Majesty's service. who had already won
distinction for his bravery on the battle
field, and who had always acquitted him
self well and honorably heretofore, to plan
recklessly 80 grave an infringement of duty
as the abandonment of the post he was
bound in all honor to guard.
We ,ffer no excuse. But the explana-
ton Of his conduct must be found in his
STATE OF mind, which was abnormal. Bre
raton was right. There WAS woman in
the case. Before his minds eye, there
danced lovely vision that lured the infat-
uated young man from the right path;
pair OF blue eyes, sweet smile, a graceful
girlish form, to gaze on which the foolish
fellow would have travelled miles.
And she was to he at the ball, surround
ed by admiripg swains, OF one or two OF
whom he was msdly jealous; who knew
what might happen while he, was sbsent3
He might of course have spoken cer-
tain momentous little word before, and be
had thought, now and then, that 1t would
not have fallen on reluct ant ears But he
had gone on basking in the sweet sunshine
Of her smiles, too happy in the present to
think much OF the future, and lac had just
heard causally that tomorrow morning
,arly she was to leave town for her home
n the country.
To-day, too, chance had brought sud
len revelation to his heart Till then he
lad not been fully aware ofthe strength OF
lis own feelings for that blue.eyod charm
IT. On turning down a street corner. he
lad come face 10 face with her, and in
dose attendance upon her was Eaddor OF
be --th Lancsrs, brilliant Adonis whom
aides were terribly partial to- In bis
ace Kendall read something that made /
lin trenble for his hopes, and showed
lin 700, in startling moment Of time,
low his whole liic's happiness was bound
ip 10 them. That rapid glance OF recog'
,ition avoke Astorm OF ANXIOUS fears in
ais breast, and left the green.eyed monster
aging there. ~
Was he at this important crisis Of fate to
'sand tamely aside and 70 leave her to the
wiles Of that handsome Lothario, 10 be
1hirled away from him for ever in the
waltz. during the enchauted hours OF that
fesiive night while he kept lonely watch
4ra~ nii ,nonev.l .lA0ss Maddenln1