Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-02


Only politeness kept the men from LAUGHING out
right at this remark Mother gave me Wltherlng
glance, but she said nothing until they were Sohe'
Then how she did scold me!
"You are running into danger with your eyes
omen and your heart light" she said. What 90
Won think they want to give ball for? lts only
trick to get all the girls together so they can carry
them off
On reaching the ball room I found large com
nanv assembled. The soldiers were all splendlu'
would not have believed that men whose business
it is to kill people could be so magnificent ana
fascinating.
One officer in particular attracted the attention
of every one present He tall and so hand'
sonnet His complexion was fair, his cheeks were
red and his eyes and hair dark. HIS scarlet UNI
form fitted his fine form to perfection. ana now
well he danced the czardas! Just Wish you
could have seen him. But it was not MS dancing
alone that enchanted us. 1t was the expression ol
his large dark eyes and the compliments he
paid us.
You can imagine my feelings when saw MN
coming I'M TO ask me for quadr1Ile. Unlortu-
natelv | had already promised it. y, now WiSheu
my partner was somewhere else! don't know Know
what he replied at first for seemed 10 De Hoa'-
ing on air. Then heard him say;
Don't forget that you have promised me the
next one"
If had not suddenly checked myself should
have declared that would sooner forget my exist
once | simply assured him that | would remelh-
Der it.
asked.
Asif it were the most natural thing in the world
TO do | unfastened a rose from my corsage ana
offered it to him, saying as did so:
q shall know you by this"
He took the flower and pressed it to ms lips.
pretended not to see him. but l did just the same
We took our places and stood waiting Then,
lust as we were about to begin, we heard the
sound of galloping hoofs, and, in the distance d
cannonading that made the windows rattle' "A
moment later, a man, despatched with mud
rushed in and announced thaC Ine enemy ""9
attacking the outposts
Good" exclaimed a major clapping his hands
1--WE were Just waiting for them. Gentlemen, beg
these ladies to excuse you for few moments-!ust
few We will be back directly. Wait 1or us ana
don't worry"
Then all the gay young officers bucked on their
swords their faces set with grim determination
NV partner went with the rest. His face looked
stern and his eyes flashed lire. felt tnat coulu
have gone with him into the thickest OF the hgnt
He still held my rose, and when ne put on MS
shake he fastened the rose behind the cocKade
Then he turned and sought me out in the crowd
Our eyes met for a moment, and he was gone
We all staid in the ball room, we had been for
hidden to leave. The hours that followed were
certainly the longest ones that | ever passed by
degrees the firing grew fainter and finally it
ceased altogether. From this we concluded the
enemy had been routed.
We were right. A quarter of an hour later,
amidst shouts of joy, the officers re-entered the
ball ROOM smiling as if nothing unusual had nap
pened Their bright uniforms were soled, whether
with mud or blood | could not tell. They sought
their partners and took their places, as II they
had merely returned from the refreshment room
Ny partner and the major missing, so I
sat down near the door to watch for them Soon
the major came in alone. AS soon as he saw me
he came up to me, bowed, and said:
''My fair young lady, your partner begs thou
nardOnS failing to keep his promise DuC IL