Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12
CHAPTER VI.
The Lieutenant Meets Miss Spencer.


Lieut.. Brant was somewhat delayed in
reaching the scene of Miss Spencer's social
triumph. Certain military requirements
were largely responsible for this delay. and
he had patiently wrestled with an unsatis-
factory toilet. mentally excoriating serv-
ice which would not permit the transporta-
ton OF dress uniforms while on scouting de-
tan. Nevertheless, when he finally stepped
forth into the brilliant moonlight. he pre-
scented an interesting. soidierly figure his
face still retaining bit of the boy about
It, his blue eyes bright with expectancy.
That afternoon he had half decided not to
go at ALL the glamour of such events hav-
ing long before grown dim, but the peculiar
attraction of this night proved too strong
not thus easily could he erase from men,
DRY the haunting witchery of face. Be
yond doubt, when again viewed amid the
charm would vanish; yet he would see her
once more, although no longer looking for
ward to drawing a prize
The dance was already in full swing the
exciting preliminaries having been largely
forgotten in the exuberance of motion, when
he finally pushed his way through the idle
loungers gathered about the door. and
gained entrance to the hall. Many glanced
curiously at him. attracted by the glitter of
his uniform bur he recognized none among
them, and therefore passed steadily toward
the musicians stand where there appeared
to be a few unocCupied chairs
The scene was one of color and action.
The rapid. pulsating music. the swiftly
whirling figures. the quivering drapery
overhead. the bright. youthful faces. the
glow of numerous lamps, together with the
ceaseless voices and merry shutting of
feet, all combined TO create scene suffi-
GENTLY picturesque. 1t was altogether diff
ferent from what he had anticipated. He
watched the speeding figures, striving in
vain to distinguish the particular one whose
charms had lured him thither. He looked
upon fair faces in plenty; flushed cheeks
and glowing eyes scurried past him, with
swirling skirts and flashes of neatly turned
ankles as these enthusiastic maids and ma
irons from hill and prairie strove to make
amends for long abstinence. But among
them all he unable to distinguish the
wood -nymph whose girlish frankness and
grace had left so deep an impression on his
memory. Yet surely she must be present.
for to his understanding. this whole gay
festival was in her honor. Directly across
the room he caught sight of the Rev. Mr..
wynkoop conversing with lady II some
what rounded charms, and picked his way
In their direction.
The missionary. who had vet scarcely re-
covered from the shock of Moffafs .1mpul-
sIve speech and who. in truth. had been
hiding an agonized heart behind smiling
face was only too delighted atany excuse
which would enable him to approach xAlss
Spencer. and press aside those cavaliers
handicap of not being able to dance he felt
to be heavy. and ne greeted the lieutenant
with unusual heartiness of manner.
why, most assuredly. my dear sir. most
assuredly." he said Mrs Herndon, per-
NIT me to make you acquainted with Lieut.
Rrant of the 7th Cavalry"
The two, thus introduced. bowed. and ex-
changed a few words, while Mr.. Wynkoop
busted himself In peering about the room,
making a great pretense at searching out
the lady guest. who. In very truth. had
scarcely been absent from his sight during
the entire evening.
"Ah.' he calculated, lat last locate her
and. fortunately. al this moment she Is not
upon the floor, although positively hidden by
the men clustering about her chair. You
viii excuse US, Mrs. Herndon, but have
promised Lieut.. Brant presentation to
your niece"
They slipped past the musicians stand
ring of admirers.
why. Mr.. wynkoopr and she extended