Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-11-17

gone. On, why nau ne not Known sooher
Tomorrow it would be too late
No he could not let love and happi-
ness go down the stream without making
an effort to hold them fast. Duty might
go to the winds for once. He would go
to the ball, where he could see her that
night And as to the colonel Surely
he would not sport his stately, antigua
ted presence in such a giddy, nnconge-
NAL scene. And if he did--Brereton
might say what he pleased-the co'onels
shortness of sight was proverbial
Alas Venus with her wicked elf GU
pid had strangely bewitchcd this mis-
guided son of Mars, as there is evidence
enough to prove that they have bewitched
many n stolwart hero in every age and
cline
The bank, a great solid building of
dark gray stone, stood i'll the enclosure.
At the rear was court encircled by n
fence, in which was wicket gate open
ing into lane short distance below the
main entrance, and used chiefly for COM
munication with the back premises AT
night it was always kept locked. The
front Of the building, on the other hand,
faced one of the principal thoroughfnres,
and was approached through n massive
outer gate, which, like the smaller one,
was carefully closed after nightfall.
Capt. Kendall did not change his mind.
As the evening wore on he slipped ont,
merely informing the sentinel that he
| should soon return. The old soldier,
who had known and loved his young Off
Ger for some years, shook his head omin-
ously rs he saw him depart, but inwardly
resolved to keep his counsel if possible.
The trnant meanwhile sped on his will
full way, and banishing all anxious reilec-
tons, appeared III the ball room in time
to secure the hand Of his fair charmer
for several dances Fortune seemed dis
posed to smile propitiously on him, and
the coast was clear. The colonel was not
to be seen, and no one else cared to en-
quire too curiously what officer ought to
be on guard at the bank on that particu-
lar night. As he led out the lady, the
scapegrace lover had the satisfaction Of
seeing his rival turn away with lowering
brow. He was determined to lose no
time now. In the maze of the waltz,
while the soft undulating strains of
Strauss stepped the senses of the dancers
in sweet dreams of delight, under the
roseate light of the many wax candles in
that perfumcd, crowded ball room, n
question was asked, and an answer tremu-
lousy whispered which transported two
young people into a temporary paradise
of their own creating, where there were
only the two, and no room for any other
besides. No wonder that at such mo-
ment all minor sublunary considerations
were forgotten.
But, when brief, ecstatic hour had
passed, and they emerged once more
from the rosy pavilion whittier they had
retreated among the flowers, there loom
ed dark and erect i'll the distant doorway
of the adjoining ballroom, tall, martial
figure, whose gray head lowered above
the company n vision which struck n
sudden chill to the ardent lovers heart.
by Jovc !" he exclaimed with a start.
There's the colonel !"
The sharp ejaculation, breaking i'll
strangely upon the dulcet tones OF love,
astonished the pretty creature who hung
on his arm.
What of the colonel ?" she asked soft
ly. "Why should he not be here, poor
man =
because / am here who ought to be
on guard iii 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, be-
seeching accents.
He looked at her, then around him, ir-
resolute for moment. The colonel had
turned his back, and was moving into an
other room. No, he could not go just
yet the temptation to remain was too
strong.
Leave you now, when We are happy
and are to be parted so soon? No, |
cannot, darling" he whispered fondly.
But never fear, we will keep out of his
way"
She did not urge him any more. She
did not fully understand the magnitude
of the offence, nor the risk it involved,
and was too glad to keep him little long
er by all available means.
There We're Il number of reception
rooms in the locale where the ball was
held, all OF which We're thrown open for
the occasion. Keeping cautious eye
around them, the young people contrived
to pass from one apartment to another,
whenever they detected the dreaded form
Of the colonel approaching. After time
he settled down quietly at a 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 i'll quiet hooks, and
managed successfully to clude the eyes
whose recognition was so carefully to be
avoided.
what n comfort it is that he is such n
maypole, andmay be observed from afar ~
laughed the girl, who had caught the in
lection of her lovers audacity.
At length the dreaded time for parting
was at hand. The carly morning train
was to bear away the lady to her father s
summer residence, and thus to separate
for awhile the newly plighted pair. What
wonder, that in these 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 careful
ly round her graceful form for another
happy minute yet he stood with her hand
locked i'll his, meeting all her heart shin
ing ont 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 daz-
zled by the bright parting glance he had
drunk in so eagerly, for all other things
around looked dim. Presently he turned
listlessly to take his hat and depart in his
turn, still feeling 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 crowd of departing guests
in the hall, and as they gathered and jost-
led each other, the two men who had
been thus unexpectedly brought together
were again borne apart. The recognition
was but instantaneous therefore, and in
another moment the Junior officer had