The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-11-02

a maypole and may be observed from
afar p laughed the girl, who had
caught the infection of her lovers au-
dacity.
AT length the dreaded time for part
ing was at hand. The early morning
train was to bear away the lady to her
fathers summer residence, 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 moth
ing in each others all-engrossing pres
ence? He followed her to the hall and
folded the shawl carefully round her
graceful form for another happy min
ute 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 a 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. Pres
emily he turned listlessly to take his
hat and depart in his turn, still feel
ing like one that dreams. Suddenly,
however, something impelled him to
look up, and what was his dismay,
when he found himself face to face
with-the COLONEL
There was a crowd of departing
guests in the hall, and as they gath
cred and iostled each other the two
men who had been thus unexpectedly
brought together were again borne
apart. The recognition was but in
Simultaneous, therefore, and in another
moment the junior officer had con-
trived to mingle with and disappear in
the crowd. But by the stern, aston
ished gaze which had met his eye for
that brief instant he knew that he
had been identified, and that the
colonel fully remembered where he
ought to have been.
If he still ventured to retain any
hope that the recognition had not been
complete, such hope was promptly dis
PEELED by the order which presently
rang out in ominous tones from the
colonePs well-known voice of thunder.
"Drive to the Royal bank instant
ly" he said, with awful distinctness.
"And go as fast as you can"
Captain Kendall had managed to
slip unobseryed through the doorway.
and he now stood in the street.
What was to be done? The carriages
that were in waiting 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 III Une
same direction as the colOnePs car
riage, or indeed the very fact of ve-
hicle stopping before the bank, would
have convicted him at once. There
was not moment to be lost.
At this crisis fortunately his wits
did not forsake him. n sudden inspi-
ration presented itself to his mind,
and his decision was taken IN twink
ling. Favored by opportune darkness
he crept round to the back of the
colonels carriage, and just as it was
starting he sprang up nimbly 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 forestall the re-
turn of the delinquent officer. Neither
master nor man guessed that their hot
haste was bearing back the truant to
his post Within the carriage the
colonel sat stiff and erect, as became
a worthy disciplinarian, wholly intent
on the conviction of his peccant ju-
nior, in whose impending discomfort
he could not help feeling a grim and
righteous satisfaction. AT the back
the captain sat crouching on the step,
desperately concerting his measures.
"Impudence stand my friend
through this scrape," he mentally eiac-
ulated. "Perhaps all is not lost yet. u
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 ur
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
key
"The colonels'there," he said, breath
lessly. Don't be too quick in un
doing the chain. Give me as long as
you can. And l say, Dickson" hi
added anXiously, "mum's the word
you know-if you can"
GAY! ay! sir" muttered the old sen
tinel, as he shuhled slowly along. HI
; was very partial to the young man anC
not so much so to the colonel.
The captain passed hurriedly within
Just then the bell of the great gat,
, rang out long, resounding peal.
The sentinel clanked the chain nois
lily as he hooked and unlocked it
fumbled with the key in the lock ant
made such judicious delays as enabled
, the officer on guard to compose himsel
. in attendance at his post before tn
heavy doors turned on their hinges t.
q admit the colonel.
"Where is Captain Kendall" h
, asked, as he alighted, in stentOrial
8 tones which vibrated strangely throug
\ the silence, with sort of angry eX
9 pectant note of triumph.
Q son guard, sir p answered the so