The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-09-15
The BALL
BY Maurice Jokal.

come a nun, or finish myself in some
way. Let me tell you what has hap
pened, and 1 feel sure that you will
agree with me in thinking it mon
s%trous, almost -inconceivable.
You doubtless have heard that the
Hungarian army passed through our
village last week, after the battle Of
Branyiszko. Before they came, by
way of preparing us for their recep-
ton, we were told unheard of things
about the soldiers, how they would
pillage and fire the town, then kill OF
carry off the women.
Well, the eventful day came at last
Mother had described the Hungari-
ans to me as great Tartars, wearing
fur turbans and bearskins for clothes
Fancy my surprise on seeing, instead
Of such monsters, two elegant youns
officers, n light, the other dark, ane
both extremely handsome. Their rec
cloaks were swung gracefully owe:
their shoulders, leaving their uniform.
exposed. They apologized for their in
%trusion, and 1 replied confusedly tina
l was ready to serve them.
The handsomer of the two mel
looked at the great quantity of foot
n drink on the table, and could MOI
repress a smile. This only served tt
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 hou1
they returned. They then told mother
that arrangements had been made for
a ball, and we were invited to go
They asked my company on the spot
for quadrilles, czardas and polonaises.
OF course 1 promised them all they
asked, but my mother made all sorts
of objections.
On reaching the ball room l found
a large company assembled. The sol
diers were all splendid. l would not
have believed that men whose bust
ness it 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
and his Eyes and hair dark. His scar
let uniform fitted his fine form to per
lection.
You can imagine my feelings when
saw him coming up to ask me for a
quadrille. Unfortunately, I had already
promised it. Oh, how l wished nv
partner was somewhere else! 1 don't
know what he replied at first, for !
seemed to be floating on air. Then
heard him say:
Don't forget that you have prom
ised me the next one"
If l had not suddenly checked nv.
self I should have declared that
would sooner forget my existence.
simply assured him that 1 would re.
member it.
But how will you be able to recog-
nize me?" he asked.
As if it were the most natural thing
in the world to do, I unfastened a
rose from my corsage and offered it to
him, saying as l did so:
I shall know you by this"
He took the flower and pressed it
to his lips. l pretended not to see him,
but l did just the same.
We took our places and stood wait.
ing. Then, just as we were about to
begin, we heard the SOUND Of gallon
ing hoofs, and, in the distance, a can
%nonading that made the windows rat.
tie. A moment later, a man, bespat-
tered with mud, rushed in and an.
nounced that the enemy was attacking
the outposts.
Good" exclaimed a major. clap
ping his hands. We were Just wait
ing for them. Gentlemen, beg these
ladies to excuse you for a few mo.
ments-just a few. We will be back
directly. Wait for Us and don't
worry"
Then all the gay young officers
buckled on their swords. their faces
set with grim determination. NY part.
ner went with the rest. His face
looked stern and his eyes flashed fire.
I felt that I could have gone with him
into the thickest of the fight. He still
held my rose. and when he put on his
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. as we
had been forbidden to leave. The hours
that followed were certainly the long
est ones that I ever passed. By de
grees the firing grew fainter, and
finally it ceased altogether. From this
we concluded the enemy had beer
routed.
We were right A quarter of an hour
later, amidst shouts of JOY, the officers
re-entered the ball room, smiling as il
nothing unusual had happened. Their
bright uniforms were soiled, whether
with mud or blood l could not tell
They sought their partners, and took
their places, as if they had merely re.
turned from the refreshment room.
My partner and the major were
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 a thousand pardons for failing to
keen his promise. but it is simply i'm.