Connecticut western news., 1896-09-10
AN ARMY GIRL.

AN ARMY GIRL.
 As she entered the room at the gen. erals soirees, smiling, fresh, her lovely shoulders bare, a murmur of admiration went up from the groups of officers crowded into the doorways She was followed by her mother, a little over dressed, as 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, in- tent on keeping off the trains of the ladies.
 Scarcely was the girl seated when platoon of heutenants and captains in their dress uniforms, with mustaches 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 daughterl We'll they knew that when the lists for promotion were made out careless eulogy from her, as, "Ahl Lieutenant So-and-so; such a charming officer and delightful waltzerl' might decide a career. So she maneuvered there as at the drill with her soft tones.
 She was just ga and her life had been all gala days, travelling over France with the garrison, with banners flying and bugles sounding Her mother began 70 grow impatient; she wanted her laughter to marry. But between the girl and her admirers formidable bar rier arose upon which was written the memorable word, "Portionless. 7" And the officers firted, laughed, danced, but never seemed to think of marriage.
 To please the colonels daughter for the sake of present enjoyment was well enough. To carry matters as far as mar riage 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 girl had had timid, shrinking admirer whom she openly ridiculed after the fashion of coquettes-
 This lover was a large boyish fellow with red mustache and blue eyes, native of Lorraine and educated at the St Maxent school He had joined the army at the age of IS, had been wounded at the battle of Coulmiers and wore a medal The other officers looked upon him as an inferior because he had not been trained at St Cyr. Of peasant parentage, he was robust and sturdy; little inclined to talk, though well in- formed Brilliant on the field, he felt out of his element in drawing room. He scarcely knew how to dance. The fear of appearing impolite had once in- iuced him to ask the young lady for dance. But he had so mixed up the fig ures of the cotillon by his lack of skill that he never attempted it a second time He would more willingly have faced 8 battery in action than all those mocking smiles
 Hidden in window recess, for hours he watched his adored one waltzing with vivacity and grace. His eyes fol lowed the small head through the whirl- | ing throng and caressed the beautiful white shoulders. Sometimes he was bold enough to approach the mother and en- gage in conversation. This was the ex- tent 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 fa- vored ones. Then all will be over" In the desolate silence of his cham Der he gave up to his despair. He tried to req son with himself. How foolish he was to even think of this spoiled child of fortune, suited only to luxurious sur roundings She was not intended for a poor officer.
 But in spite of himself his thoughts dew 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 meP At the thought his heart beat so fast that he was nearly stifled.
 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 subject of marriage with his daughter without making formal proposal He passed that day on the borders of the Swiss lake in the garden of Versailles watch ing the carp jump in the sun, and the future looked very dark before him. That evening the major took him aside and said briefly:
 "I have seen the colonel He was
 courtesy itself and here is his answer:
 Your protege has not cent My daugh- ter has no dowry. It would be to unite hunger and thirst. He was right For get the young lady. If you feel disap- pointed, console yourself with studying military tactics.
 The lieutenant thanked him, but he did not try to console himself. As off, cers were needed to go to Tonquin he offered his services. The following
 week he embarked at Brest. And while
 with bursting heart he was borne
 away from France on the heaving waves
 of stormy sea, the young girl, happy and thoughtless, danced in the bright
 light. careless of all but her joy.
 Two years had passed away. The
 general still gave brilliant fetes at his
 elegant home, but the young girl rho had formerly turned all heads was seer
 there no more. The colonel of the Oni
 Hundred and Twenty third had diet
 suddenly just as he was about to re
 ceive his stars. A monotonous life hat
 succeeded the gay one led by his wifi : and daughter. All the brilliant officer
 who had lowered around had disap
 peared with the pleasure and gayety . The new colonel also had wife an'
 daughter; these new rulers received al
 the attention, while for the old one
 Maa reserved the distant bow in tn