Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-28

are to be parted so soon7 No, 1 cannot, darling"
ne whispered fondly. "But, never fear, we will
keep out of his wav."
She did not urge him any more She did
not fully understand the magnitude of the
o1iense, nor the risk it involved, and was too
glad to keep him little longer by all available
means.
There were number of reception rooms In
the locale where the ball was held, all Of which
were thrown open for the occasion. Keeping q
cautious eye around them, the young people
c0ntrlVed to pass from one apartment to an
other, whenever they detected the dreaded
form of the Colonel approaching. After time
he settled down quietly at whist table In the
distance, and they gave themselves up with
reckless gaiety to the enjoyment of the evening.
Another hour passed, and supper time came,
and still they danced or fingered in quiet hooks
and managed successfully to elude the eyes
whose recognition was so carefully to be
avoided.
"What comfort it is that he is such may
pole. and may be observed from ATARI laughed
the GIRL who had caught the Infection of her
lovers audacity.
At length the dreaded time for parting was at
hand The early morning train was to bear
away the lady to her fathers summer resi-
dence. and thus to separate for awhile the
newly plighted pair. What wonder, that
in those last few precious moments they
forgot all precautions, and saw and
heard nothing in each others all-engrossing
presence? He followed her to the hall, and
folded the shawl carefully around her graceful
form; for another happy minute yet he stood
with her hand locked in his, meeting all her
heart shining out through her deep blue eyes.
Then the carriage door closed with sharp
bang, which struck cold and heavy on his ear,
as the rolling wheels bore her away into the
night.
Perhaps his eyes were somewhat dazzled by
the bright parting glance he had drunk in so
eagerly, for all other things around looked dim.
Presently he turned istlessly to take his hat and
depart in his turn still feeling like one that
dreams. Suddenly, however, something i'm
PEELED him to look up. and what was his dsmay
when he found himself face to face with-the
Colonel!
There was a crowd of departing guests in
the hail. and as they gathered and jOstled each
other, the two men who had been thus uneX-
pectedly brought together were again borne
apart. The recognition was but instantaneous
therefore, and in another moment the junior
officer had cOntrived to mingle with and dis
appear in the crowd. But by the stern as
tOnshed gaze which had met his eye for that
brief instant, he knew that he had been identi-
fed. and that the Colonel fully remembered
where he ought to have been.
IL he still ventured to retain any hope that
the recognition had not been complete, such
hope was promptly dispelled by the order
which presently rang out in OminOus tones from
the Colonies well-known voice of thunder
~ Drive to the Royal Bank instantyi' it said
with awful distinctness "And go as fast as you
can"
Captain Kendall had managed to slip unob-
served through the doorway, and he now stood
in the street
What was to be done? The carriages that
were in waiting there were all private ones
The hackney coaches were far down the file and
even had he been lucky enough to secure one
in time the rattle Of the wheels at that dead
hour OF the night, speeding in the same direc-
ton as the colOnel's carriage, or, indeed. the
very fact OF vehicle stopping before the bank
would have convicted him at once. There was
not a moment to be lost.
At this crisis, fortunately, his wits did not
forsake him. A sudden inspiration presented
itself to his mind, and his decision was taken in
twinkng. Favored by the Opportune dark
ness. he Crept round to the back of the cOlOnel's
carriage. and just as it was starting he sprang
up nimbiy on the step behind. The coachman
whipped up his horses and ratified his wheels
through the still streets of the sleeping city.
Clearing the distance in dOuble-quick time, in
order to f0restall the return of the delinquent
officer. Neither master nor man guessed that
their hot haste was bearing back the truant to
MS post Within the carriage the colonel sat
stl1 and erect, as became a worthy disciple
marian, wholly intent on the conviction of his
peccant junior, in whose impending discontinue
he could not help feeling grim and righteous
satisfaction. At the back the captain sat
crouching on the step, desperately concerning
his measures.
''Impudence! stand my friend through this
is not lost yet" When the carriage turned into
street and the bank appeared in view, he
jumped lightly down, and under the friendly
cover OF night ran to the small wicket gate in
the lane. Most luckily he had taken the key
with him, and hurriedly letting himself in, he
passed swiftly through the court. and came up
with the sentinel inside the great gate, while
the carriage was taking the longer curve
which led up to the front How he blessed the
chance impulse which had induced him to take
that kew!
THE Colonel's there" he said breathessly.
Don't be too quick in undoing the chain
GIVE me as long as you can. And l say, Dick
son., he added anxiously, ''mum's the word
you knOw-if you cam
''Ayl ay! sir" muttered the old sentinel as he
shuffied slowly along. He was very partial to
the young man, and not so much SO to the
Co lionel.
The Captain passed hurriedly within
Just then the bell of the great gate rang out
long, resOunding peal
The sentinel clanked the chain nOisily as he
hooked and unlocked it, fumbled with the kew
In the lock. and made such judiciOus delays as
enabled the officer on guard to compose himself
In attendance at his post, before the heavy
doors turned on their hinges to admit the
Colonel
Where is Captain Kendall p he asked. as he
alghted, In stentOrlan tones, which vibrated
strangely through the silence with sort of
angry expectant note of triumph.
"On guard, sir" answered the soldier CURLY
''Whatl' cried the Colonel in the shrilIest of
accents He was too utterly taken aback to say
another word. The sentinel, adopting his usual
stoHd demeanOr, took no notice of his evident
establishment. Captain Kendall heard the inquiry
from within, and came forward. 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 at him. His face with it's
expression of mingled sternness and entire be-
wilderment, would have been no mean study for
painter.
He could hardly believe his eyes, Keenly
scrutinizng the younger man, who did not quail
before his gaze, he said stiffiy after pause of
some seconds:
81 certainly thought, sir. I saw you at the
ball in D street just nOw"
Me, sir9" replied the other audaclously
why, am on guard. SIR
1T is very singular" resumed the Colonel.
without relaxing his scrutiny and slightly rails
ing his voice. Il could have sworn that saw
you there!"
every singular indeed, SIR" retorted the de-
linquent, gaining holiness from the very ex-
tremity of the strait to which he found himself
reduced; 'since man can't be in two places at
once, and you have found me here A case of
mistaken identity perhaps, sir"
The two oti