News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-11-16
A BREACH OF DISCIPLINE.

4 DREAGH UF UlSGIPLlNE.
''It's no use speaking, Brereton; I
must CO."
"Are you mad, Kendall? It's your
night on guard, and you know what a
martinez the Colonel Is"
''Confuund the Colonel / tell you,
I will go. The Colonels not dancing
man. He'll know nothing about it."
''Don't you believe it. The Colonel's
thick with those Lindsay girls, and I'll
bet you ten to one he's there to meet
them"
''Oh, hang it I'll take my chance
then" was the reply in the logged tone
of man who knows he is in the wrong,
but does not choose to yield.
The speakers were two officers of the
-th Regiment, which had been quar-
tered for the last six months at Single
borough. The subject OF discussion was
great public ball which was to take
place that evening. The regiment was
TO be relieved in day or two, and the
ball would be the last at which the gal
liant officers of the til would appear in
thst hospitable town. It had been
gay season, and the redcoats had entered
heartily into the festivities, and now,
that their departure drew nigh, there
might have been many an incipient
hesrtache in gentle bosom here and
there. The girls indeed of that favored
district we're so pretty, that even brave
soldier might be excused if pang shot
through his manly breast at the thought
of leaving them behind.
Captain Kendall looked very obstinate
as he answered the prudent admonitions
of his friend Brereton, who gave long
whistle, and tapped the ground omin-
ously with his cane.
81 gave you credit for more common
sense, he resumed after a pause.
'"Ihen you were mistaken, You see. "
$50 it seems, but it is an awful pity.
You'll be csshiered to certainty, for
the old fellow is as keen as hawk and
is sure to find you out. 1 say, man, be
advised give it up; the games too
dangerous"
"Pooh II exclaimed the other testify.
SCI tell you the Colonel won't be there,
and if he were, trust to ne to dodge
him. Why, bless you he's blind as
mole -
His friend looked utterly unconvinced,
but remonstrance was plainly of no use.
"It's sill because of that Leslie girl"
he said, ruefully, for ne was honestly
attached to his messmate, and saw clear
~ the consequences which might be ex-
pected to follow upon his attendance at
the ball. "Lord what an ass spooning
makes of a fellow Thank Heaven, I'm
not in Lowell
''Spare your eloquence and have done
now, can't your" replied Captain Ken
dial, ungraciousiy. $50, 1 must and
will, but trust to me to take care of my
self"
What was the motive which could in
duee this gallant young officer of Her
Msjesty's service, who had already won
distinction for his bravery on the battle
field, and who had always acquitted
himself well and honorably heretofore,
to plan recklessIy SO grave an infringe
ment of duty as the abandonment of
the post he was bound in all honor to
guard?
There was a woman In the case. Be-
fore his minds eye, there danced lovely
vision that lured the infatuated young
man from the right path; pair of blue
eyes, sweet smile, a graceful, girlish
form, to gaze on which the foolish fell
low would have travelled miles
And she was to be at the ball, sur
rounded by admiripg SWANS, of one or
two of whom he was madly jealous and
who knew what might happen while he
vas absent2
He might, of course, have spoken a
certain momentous little word before,
and he had thought, now and then, that
it would not have fallen on reluctant
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 he had just heard casual
ly that tomorrow morning early she |
was to leave town for her home in the |
country.
The bank, great solid building of
dark gray stone, stood in an ipclosure. |
At the rear was q court encircled by |
fence, in which was q small wicket gate |
opening into lane a short distance be- |
low the main entrance, and used chiefly |
for communication with the back prem
ICES. at night it was always kept |
locked. The front of the building, on
the other hand, faced one of the princi-
pal thorougbfares, 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 informing the sem
tinel that he should soon return. The
old soldier, who had known and loved
bis young officer for some years, shook
his head ominousIy 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
appeared in the ballroom
n time to secure the hand Of his fair
T.. !