Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1908-12-04
I NE: BALI,
81 Maurice JokaI.

10 full OF despair Oh. never again viii
10 ! dance quadrillei ! am going to be
. come nun. or finish myself in some
y way. Let me tell you what has hap
& pened, and | feel sure that you will
agree with me in thinking it mon
= strous. almost inconceivabie.
4 You doubtless have heard that the
0 hungarian army passed through our
village last week. after the battle OF
. branyiszko. Before they came. by
way OF preparing us for their recep-
ten. we were told unheard of things
about the soldiers, how they would
piilage and fire the town, then kill or
carry off the women.
Wen. The eventful day came at last
Mother had described the Hungari-
ans to me as great Tartars, wearing
iur turbans and bearskins for clothes.
rahcy my surprise on seeing, instead
OF such monsters, two elegant young
ofhcers, one light. the other dark. and
both extremely handsome. Their red
cioaks were swung gracefully over
/ 'helr shoulders. leaving their uniforms
exposed. They apoIogized for their in
trusion, and | replied confusedly that
l was ready to serve them.
The handsomer of the two men
looked at the great quantity of food
and drink on the table, and could not
repress smile. This only served to
increase my embarrassment. The
other officer treasured me by thank
ing me in the most musical of voices
for the services offered.
They went away, but in half an hour
they returned. They then told mother |
mat arrangements had been made for
ball, and we were invited TO 90.
They asked my company on the spot
Tor quadrilles, czardas and polonaises.
Of course | promised them all they
asked but my mother made all sorts
OF objections.
On reaching the ball room I found
large company assembled. The sol
dlers were all splendid. | would not
nave believed that men whose bust
ness 1t is to kill people could be so
magnificent and fascinating
One officer in particular attracted
the attention of everyone present. He .
was tall and so handsome! His COM
plexion was fair his cheeks were red.
ana his eyes and hair dark. His scar
let uniform fitted his fine form to per |
lection. :
You can imagine my feelings when I
saw him coming up to ask me for a t
Iuadrille- Unfortunately, had already a
promised it. Oh how | wished my a
partner was somewhere else, | don't
know what he replied at first. for {
ieemed to be floating on air Then I a
leard him say: .
Don't forget that you have prom
sed me the next one" .
II had not suddenly checked my h
elf | should have declared that -
would sooner forget my existence.
imply assured him that l would re- I,
lember it. q
But how will you be able to recog- .
ize me?" he asked. u, ~
AS if it were the most natural thing 80 -
the world to do. unfastened a -,
'se from my corsage and offered it to ~
i'm, saying as | did so: II
4 shall know you by this" %
He took the flower and pressed it
MS lips | pretended not to see him. Id
1T | did just the same. III
We took our places and stood wait Sc
g. Then, just as we were about TO II
'gin, we heard the sound of gallon
g hoofs. and, in the distance. a can Ire
'nading that made the windows rat ste
.. A moment later a man. bespat- be
Nd
unced that the enemy was attao1,in, giT
e outposts. the
Good. exclaimed a major. clap
ng his hands. We were lust wait
3 for them. Gentlemen. beg these or
lies to excuse you for few mo- wv
a few We will be hack bee
'ectly. Wait for u and don't ha'
rry." so
Then all the gay young officers pee
ckled on their swords, their faces the
With grim determination. My part
: went with the rest His face neV
Red stern and his eyes flashed fire cpe
cit that | could have gone with him TIM
0 the thickest of the fight. He sim pro
d my rose, and when he put on his ."
ko, he fastened the rose behind the my
kade. Then he turned and sought say
out in the crowd. Our eyes met tim
a moment, and he was gone. 81
We all staid in the ball room. as we hon
been forbidden tc lean. The hours tyk'
followed were certainly the long. says
ones that | ever passed BY de beer
rs the firing grew fainter. and cam
lily ii ceased altogether. From this to.
the enemy had been and
ed. yom
e we're right A quarter of an hour day
r, amidst shouts of JOY. the officers wan
ntered the ball room. smiling as If som'
ing unusual had happened. Their bath
hi uniforms We're soiled. whether Ri
mud or blood | could not tell grea
= sought their partners. and took ly e
/ places, as IL they had merely re. dowr
ed from the refreshmentro agar
? partner and the major We're Il
ing, so | sat down near the door much
atch for them. Soon he major Jim
! in alone. As soon as he saw me %