River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-11-16

/ of the principal tGoroughtaTes, ana 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 ont, merely informing thc SEN
tinel tina. nc should soon return. The
old soldier, who had known and loved
his young officer for some years, shook
mis- head ominously as he saw him de
part, but inwardly resolved TO keep his
counsel If possible.
The truant meanwhile sped on his
willful way, and banishing all anxious
reflections appeared in the ballroom IN
time to secure the hand Of his charmei
| for several dances. Fortune seemed
disposed to smile propitionsly on him,
and the coast was clear. Tue Colonel
was not TO be seen, and no ONE else
cared to inquire 100 curiously what
officer ought to be on guard at the bank
on that particular night. As he LED
out the lady, the scrapegrace lover mad
the satisfaction of seeing his rival turn
away with q lowering brow. In the
maze of the waltz, while the soft, I'M
| dulating strains of Strauss stepped the
| senses of the dancers in sweet dreams
of delight, under the roseate light oil
the many wax candles in that per-
fumed crowded ballroom a question
was asked, and an answer TREMENDOUSLY
whispered, which transported two
young people in temporary paradise
of their own creating, where there were
only they two, and no room for any
other besides. No wonder thai at such
a moment all minor sublunary con-
siderations were forgotten.
But when a brief ecstatic hour had
passed and they emerged once more
from the rosy pavilion whittier they
had retreated among the flowers, there
| doomed, dark and erect in the distant
doorway of the adjoining ballroom, a
tall, martial figure, whose gray head
lowered above the company vision
which struck a sudden chill to the ar
dent lovers heart.
"By Jove p he exclaimed, with a
start "there's the Colonel"
TIE sharp ejaculation breaking in
strangely upon the dulcet tones of love,
astonished the pretty creature who
hung on his arm.
"What of the Colonel?" she asked,
softly. "Why should he not be here,
poor man? 7"
because | am here who ought to
be on guard in - street, and because
| shall be cashiered to certainty, if he
sees me" was the abrupt reply.
"Oh. do go away this minute. Do,
dear Harry |" she pleaded in terrified,
haa1nnhSpor oooontz
"Where Is Captain Kendal| he
asked, as he alighted, in stentorian
tones which vibrated strangely through
the silence, with sort OF angry, expect
ant note of triumph.
On guard, sir" answered the soldier,
"Whas?' cried the Colonel, in the
sLrillest of accents. He was to utterly
taken aback to say another word. The
sem mel, adopting his usual stolid de-
mealIor, took no notice of his evident
establishment. Captain Kendall heard
the inquiry from within, and came for
ward. REFRESHING any inward tremors
3 might feel, he resolved to put bold
face on the matter.
Here, sir; do you require me p he
asked, coolly.
The Colonel stared at him. His face,
with its expression of mingled sternness
and entire bewilderment, would have
been no mean study for painter.
He could hardly believe his eyes.
Keenly scrutinizing the younger man,
who did not quail before his gaze, ne
said, stifiiy, after 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"
sit is very singular" resumed the
Colonel, without relaxing his scrutiny,
and slightly raising his voice. 81 could
have erorn 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, 'sines a
man can't be 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
baf1ed. The man WAS here before
him-that was certain; bat how, sav-
ing left him, as he felt sure he had
done, among the guests at the ball, he
| came to be there now was inexpl:cable.
Not having wings wherewith to fly, how
on earth had the fellow got there
Could he have been mistaken, be 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
SIX ed, very pointedly.
The young officer was worthy of all
condemnation for having forsaken the
post of duty. But though be had acted
inexcusably, he was still p gentleman
and he would not poilute 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 ColonePs brain. He knew
that it was quite impossible for another
| carnage 10 nave aITiNSti u0iOIS HIS ON1l'
His coachman had driven quickly
enough to satisfy even his Impotence,
and he could not have failed 10 notice il
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-
hoove to say or do next, while the jun
Tor officer hustled about in 3 restless
fashion, setting refreshments before
him, and awkwardly endeayoring to
turn the conversation into another
channel. The Colonel answered at ran
dom. for his thoughts were perplexing,
Mystifed, and righteously set on
convicting the offender as he doubtless
was, he could not help, nevertheless
feeling a perception of the comical side
of the question. He felt, too, that how.
ever fully persuaded he might be in bis
own mind of Captain Kendal's offense
it would perhaps be q difficult matter
to prove it. At length he cleared his
throat portentously, and returned TO the
charge.
He looked at her, then around hum
| irresolute for moment. The Colone
had turned his back, and was moqing
into another room. No, he could no
go just yet. The temptation to remain