Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-09-30
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guage Of Ram Rao, with his lofty car
riage and high-bred, intellectual face.
l slipped the ring on my finger, and
Ram departed, heaping blessings on
my head.
1T seems to me you're looking un-
usually we'll this evening"" remarked
my husband. as we were seated at the
dinner-ta bic.
"Oh, my dear old boy, how can l, In
this old just protested. II do need
some new ball-gowns sadly. but 1
thought would get one more wear
out Of this and save my money to In
vest in japanese crepes and gauxes.
am so glad that I'm not looking like
a fright in It, though"
l had been asked, as one of the
sober matrons of the army set, to give
out favors at the bachelors cotillion
that evening. Tom drove with me to
the Potenciana Building, then went
to the club, promising to return for
me when the dance was over.
There was larger gathering than
usual that evening. The cotllion club
had increased in size. and several dis
tinguished people honored w with
their presence. We had a ma gen
eral, an admiral, and a high official
Of the civil government there that
night.
AS l seated myself at the favor
table. little Tom Macon, Of the art1l-
lery, rushed up. MY! Mrs. Crane,
you do look stunning tonight! You
simply have got to come and dance.
Don't sit here. come and join our gid
dy circle. I'm awfully sorry l en-
gagged my partner SO long before
handw
Tommy was a nice boy, and, II 1
had been married only five years ear
lier, might have been my son. Such
outspOken admira ton ON his part was
rather surprise.
But, Tommy" l said, "Tll dance.
Of course, II I'm needed, but / have
no partner, besides l came to give out
favors."
There are plenty Of dowagers here
to DO that" he said.
The high official was approaching.
l knew him slightly. He was a very
pompous person, and l had always
found him rather hard to talk to.
II have been tod by these young
people," he said. with a wave of his
hand toward group Of cotillion man.
ayers, that l am expected to renew
my youth tonight. have not danced
the german for many years. MAY
have the pleasure of dancing 1t with
the belle of the ball"
"If by that sounding title you mean
myself" l answered, immensely fiat
tered, IL shah be most happy" and
we took our seats in two empty chairs
in the cotillion circle, just as the mu.
sic began for the first figure.
The high official danced abomina-
bly,, but l did not find him hard 10
talk to that evening. He was not at
all the kind Of man l had supposed
him to be. He was jocose-indeed.
hirtatlous. and he whispered stilted
compliments in my ear all the time we
sat together.
l must confess that this time was
rather limited, for l was constantly
on the floor. This was a surprise. r
had always enjoyed a good dance, and
was rather favorite chaperon with
the young people; but such attention
as l received this evening had been
unprecedented for years. was past
my first youth, and there were many
young and pretty girls present; but I
noted 1t with astonishment, l was the
belle Of the ball.
Before the evening was half over I
was laden down with favors. Young
naval ensigns, whom l scarcely knew
by sight gave me paper hats and
Japanese toys, and then bore me off
In the waltz with an unmistakable air
Of triumph. Naughty officers in the
division staff, who always wore such
a preoccupied air when l met them
on the Luneta, that almost besd.
tated to bow and disturb their weiebtv
cogitatons, came to me with offer.
ings Of fans and wooden shoes. The
general and the admiral bovered
about my chair until the hixh of,ctaI
became quite srumpy. When Tom
came In later In Ne evening. hs STOOD