Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-02

shook her white curls with pride as if
to say "This is my daughter" Next
came the Colonel of the 123d, pleas
ant, modest, intent on keeping of the
trains of the ladies.
Scarcely was the girl seated when a
platoon of Lieutenants and Captains
In their dress uniforms, with mus
taches brown and blond, eyes modest
or bold, made an assault upon her list
OF dances. There in the dazzling
light, to the sound of sweet music, she
danced, light and graceful.
All were eager to please her. Her
desires were commands; her caprices.
laws. A Colonel's daughter Well
they knew that when the lists for pro.
motion were made out careless
eulogy from her, as, "Ah Lieutenant
So-and-So; such q charming officer
and delightful waltzer !" might decide
a career.
She was just twenty-five and her
life had been all gala days, travelling
over France with the garrison, with
banners flying aud bugles sounding.
Her mother began to grow impatient :;
she wanted her daughter to marry.
But between the girl and her admirers
formidable barrier arose upon which
was written the memorable word.
''Portlonless. And the officers firt.
ed, laughed, danced, but never seemed
to think OF marriage.
10 please the Colonel's daughter for
the sake OF present enjoyment was well
enough. 10 carry matters as far as
marriage was another song whose air
not one of them seemed disposed to
learn, at least not one who was re-
ceived with favor. For about o year
tie girl had had timid, shrinking adj
mlrer whom she openly ridiculed af-
ter the fashion of cocuettes.
This lover was large. boyish fell
low with a red mustache and.blue eyes,
a native of Lorraine and educated ut
the Saint-Maxent school. He hud
Joined the army at the age of eighteen,
had been wounded at the battle OF
Coulmiers, and wore medal. The
other officers looked upon him as an
inferior because he had not been
trained at Saint Cyr. OF peasant par
entage, he was robust and sturdy, little
inclined to talk, though we'll informed.
Brilliant on the field, he felt out of
his element in a drawing room. He
scarcely know how to dance. The fear
of appearing impolite had once in
duced him to ask the young lady for q.
dance. But he had so mixed up the
figures of the cotillion by his lack of
skill that he never attempted it Sec
ond time. He would moro willingly
have faced n battery in action than all
those mocking smiles.
Hidden in window recess. for
hours he watched his adored one
waltzing with vivacity and grace.
Sometimes he was bold enough to ap.
proach the mother and engage in con-
versation. This was the extent of his
advances.
With feelings of bitter envy he saw
his comrades lowering around the girl,
each trying his best to secure favor.
He said to himself: "Some day shall
hear that she is to marry some of
these favored ones; then all will be
over" In the desolate silence of his
chamber he gave up to his despair.
he tried to reason with himself. How
foolish he was to even think of this
spoiled child of fortune, suited only
to luxurious surroundings. She was
not intended for poor officer.
But in spite of himself his thoughts
flew towards her. He saw her in his
dreams smiling and whirling in the
dance. She seemed to beckon to him
with irritating coquetry. He thought,
"Who knows; she might accept me |"
At the thought his heart beat SO fast
that he was nearly stifed.
At last he could contain himself no
longer. His life became uncomfortable.
He went to the Major, who had always
taken an interest in him, and begged
him to sound the Colonel on the sub.
iect of marriage with his daughter.
without making a formal proposal.
He passed that day Oh the borders of
the Swiss lske in the garden at Yer.
sailles, watching the carp jump in the