Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-09-12
AN ARMY GIRL.

/. ly shoulders bare, murmer Of admir-
alton went up from the groups o
officers crowded into the doorways
She was followed by her mother, 4
little over dressed, as it is usual with
women who have always lived in the
provinces, who shook her white curls
with pride as if to say, This is my
daughter Next came the colonel OF
the One Hundred and Twenty-third,
pleasant, modest, intent on keeping of
the trains of the ladies.
Scarcely was the girl seated when a
platoon OF lieutenants and captains i'll
their dress uniforms, with mustaches
brown and blond. eyes modest or bold,
made an assault upon her list of dances
There is 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 eu-
logy from her, as, "Ah Lieutenant
So-andso; such charming officer and
delightful waltzerr' might decide a
career. So she maneuveied there as
at the drill with her soft tones.
She was just - and her life had
been all gala days, travelling over
France with the garrison, with BAN
ners flying and bugles sounding Her
mother began to grow impatient i; she
wanted her daughter 10 marry. But
between the girl and her admirers
formidable barrier arose upon which
was written the inexorable word,
''Portionless." And the officers tiirt-
ed, laughed, danced, but never seem
ed TO think Of marriage.
To please the colonel's daughter
for the sake of present enjoyment was
well enough. To 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
received with favor. For about
year the gir had had timid, shrink
ing admirer whom she openly ridiculed
after the fashion of coquettes.
This lover was large boyish iel-
low with red mustach and blue eyes,
a native OF Lorraine and educated at
the st. Mavent school. lie had join
ed the army at the age of Is, had
been wounded at the battle OF Coul-
miers and wore medal. The other
officers looked upon him as an infer
Tor because he had not been trained at
st. Cry. OF pleasant parentage, he
was robust and sturdy little inclined
to talk, though well informed. Brill
liant on the field, he felt of out his ele-
ment in drawing room. He scarce
" knew how 10 dance. The fear OF
appearing impolite had once induced
him to ask the young lady for Il dance.
But he had SO mixed up the figures of
the cotillion by his lack Of skill that
he never attempted it second time.
He would more willingly have faced
a battery in action than all those
mocking smiles.
Hidden in the window recess, tor
hours he watched his adored one
waltzing with vivacity and grace.
His ewes followed the small head
through the whirling throng and ca
ressed the beautiful white shoulders.
Sometimes he was bold enough to ap
proach the mother and engage in
conversation. 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 10 marry some OF
those favored ones. Then all will be
over" In the desolate silence of his
chamber he gave up to dispair. He
tiled 10 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 inspite of himself his thoughts
flew toward 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
fast that he was nearly stifled.
At last he could contain himself no
longer. His life became unendura-
ble. He went TO the major, who had
always taken an interest in him, and
begged him to sound the colonel on
the subject of marriage with his
daughter without making a formal
proposal. He passed that day on the
borders of the Swiss lake in the garden
Of Versailles watching the carp jump
in the sun, and the future looked very
dark before him.
That evening the major took him
aside and said briefly:
IL have seen the colonel. He was
courtesy itself and here is his answer /:
Your protege has not cent. My
daughter has no dowry. 1t would be
TO unite hunger to thirst. He was