LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1296, 15 May 1878, Page 3

LITERATURE.

A REGIMENTAL VALENTINE ; Ok how Patrick O’Shaughnassy was helped info Matrimony. By the Author of “A Regimental Martyr.” [“ London Society.”] Concluded. Chapter IV. A week passed awry, and still Colonel Lifford did not return from his leave. The officers of the 52nd, during that time, went through various stages of mise y. Occasionally they displayed symptoms of swaggering bravado, but they neither deceived themselves nor each other; and the general tone of society in the mess room might be fairly described as ‘hang dog.’ Colonel Lifford was a martinet of the very fiercest calibre, and the dread with which his return was anticipated was simply pitiable.

The state of Mr O’“haughnassy’s temper did not add to the gemr-1 hilarity of the community. As (feorge de Lyle expressed it, ‘ Pat was for all the world like a bear with a sore head.’ None of them ventured into his room, nor indeed said a word to him on any subject whatever, ex ept one or two who were not involved in the scrape. Mr Hilton kept his word and sent in his papers, so oonsoqu. mly felt more at his ease than his comrades; and Mi-s Lifford kept her word and ‘cut’ the whole of them, which was as Mr do Lyle told her, an awful shame ; on the strength of which she made an exception in his favor, and flirted with him in a disgraceful manner. For poor Patrick. O’Shaughnassy she had no mercy. At the cathedral, the rink, the theatre, and at a 1 other places where they met, she did not de’gn to notice him in the least, though he, poor fellow, as all his comrades knew, tried again and again to soften her wrath. At the end of a week the news came that Colonel Lifford had fallen in the hunting flcl I and broken his arm. I’m afraid his oUlcers were not so sorry as they should have been ; but the accident meant to them a respite, and when Mrs and Miss Lifford departed to join the sick man, they fell back into their old ways and breathed freely once more.

Patrick ill temper, however, increased visibly, and, after a fortnight not very pleasantly passed, he announced that he had got a month’s leave, and was going to be married. 4 Going to be married!’ cried officers in chorus. 4 Why, Pat, we all thought—’ 4 What business had you to think then ?’ retorted Pat, it must be owned somewhat unconrteously. ‘ I can’t stand this any longer ; so Pm going to get married, and see if that will mend i". ’

At the door he fire-1 a parting shot ‘And I hope you’ll find it pretty warm when the chief cornea back.

‘ Selfish brute I’ remarked Captain Gurney, when he had gone. ‘Poor devil i' commented T)e Lyle. ‘I never thought f’at would have taken it so much to heart. Anyway, I do pity the girl.’ The week slipped away and st'll Colonel Lifford wai absent; his broken arm proved very troublesome, and he had received such a severe shaking froza his fall that his nedi'al advisers forbade his returning to duty for SOv.2 time. At length he was able to do so, and the Major a nonnoed that he nrght be expected on the 7th of the month* during the week that the Yeomanry < ’avalry were assembled in Milchester for thiir annual training. This news filled the gallant officers of the 53d anew w th dismay and consternation. r lkry we r e in ‘no end of a funk, by Jove.’ And whan it was reported that he had arrived in town, and did not saakc his apyo laucc iji the barracks, it was

considered a veiy bad sign, from which they inferred that his wrath was indeed terrible. Whilst this black state of affairs was beiag discussed in the ante-room, Patrick O’Shanghnassy walked in, looking as bright and jolly as if he had never had a trouble in his h e

* I hear the chief’s back to-day,’ he said with a hearty laugh. ‘ I suppose you men are all quaking in » our shoes !’ No one answered, and there was silence until Mr Gordon said that they understood he had gone iway to be married. * So 1 did,’ he answered. * Ann. didn’t it come off? We never saw any announcement.’ ‘Come off? Of course it did. The missis is down at the Royal Swan.’ * Who is she ? asked Billy Childers. ‘ Who is she? Why, Mrs O'Shaughnassy, of course!' ‘ Shall we see her at the ball those Yeomanry fellows give to-night ’ * Ob, yes. Good-bye. Wish you good luck for to morrow,’

A few hours later the officers of the Dragoons went into the brilliantly lightsd ballroom.

‘Do you think the O’Shaughnassy’s have come ?’ said De Lyle to oue of the hosts

‘ Yes, half an hour ago at least What a pretty girl she is! Yoa’ll see th'm somewhere about, said he, and moved away * There’s Pat,’ said Gurney ; and by the !>rd Harry, he’s dancing with Alys Lifford! What does that mean ?’

‘ She looks happy enough, and better friends than Pal’s wife will like if she hears the story.’

* Oh. she ne- r er will hear it. Pat isn’t such afiolas to tell her himself. I wonder which is she ?’

‘I fame's Pat. I say, Pat, aren’t you going to introduce ns to your wife V ‘Oh yes, to bo suie. Come along.’ He led them across the room to where a lady, dressed in the richest bridal costume, was talking with other ladies. ‘ My darling, here are some of my brother officers come to make your acquaintance,’ he said. ‘ Capta n Gurney and Mr Gordon— Mrs O’Shaugnassy.’ To their unspeakable astonishment, Mrs O’ hanghnas'y had the dark eyts, the pure profile, and the smiling mouth of Alys Lifford.

‘ Why - Miss Lifford ! gasped the senior captain. ‘l—l—you—at least' ‘Ah,’ she laughed, ‘you are thinking of the tragic vow I made the day I found you out. Well, I have kept it. lam not Alya Lifford now, you know.’ 4 And I think I kept mine,’ laughed her husband joyously. 4 1 think I paid you all out. Oh, did we not steal a march upon you ! I can tell you, though, it was precious hard work keeping up (he sulks.’ * # # * *

Although everything came to such a happy and orthodox ending, Colonel Lifford said a few words the next day, which brought the tingling blood into the cheeks and ears of his listeners ; and since that time Captain Gurney finds it as well to leave hi-friends’ private affairs in their own hands. He has learnt from experience that there is a Nemesis, which repays even snch apparently insignificant unkindnessea as he took so much pleasure in inflicting upon others, for into two of the most pleasant houses amongst the married offic rs of the 52d he is never asked; and although Gerard St. Hilary and Patrick OShaughnassy, having obtained their hearts’ desire would willingly forget and forgive past offences, their wives imperatively decline to give Caotain Gurney the chance of making more mischief, on the very sensible ground that 4 prevention is better than cure ’