Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-03
CHAPTER XIV.
Al tho staff Officers Ball.

form Of an artilleryman. and his evi-
dent surprise at my presence made
me realize the necessity Of addressing
him.
- Lieutenant" asked courteously,
resting one hand easily upon the
balustrade, "could you inform me II
General Sheridan and those msmbers
Of the staff who accompanied him
down the lines this afternoon have
yet rsturned7"
"They have not, sir"
"Ah. was in hopes they might
nave arrived by this time"
bowed to them both. and passed
slowly down the wide stairway. sew
eral couples rising as I drew near
to permit Of my passage. The lower
hall was very comfortably filled with
figures moving hsro and there in con.
verse. or occupying seats pressed
close against the walls. The greater
portion were attired in uniforms of
the various branches Of service, yet
I observed not . few civilian suits,
and . considerable number of women,
some wearing the neat dress of the
army nurse, others much more elabo-
rately st1ired-daughters Of the neigh
borhood, probably, with sprinkling
Guards, leaning upon their muskets.
stood in statuesque poses on either
side Of the main entrence, while the
wide archway, draped with flags. open
ing into the ballroom. revealed an
inspiring glimpse Of swiftly revolving
figures in gay uniforms and flashing
skirts. Over all Heated the low.
swinging music Of the band.
A fat. good-natsred-looking man Of
forty, IN infantry major. but wearing
staff decorations, and evidently Of
floating In the capacity of floor-man-
ager, after whispering word in the
ear Of another OF the same kind beside
the ballroom door. hastily pushed his
way through the laughing throng d..
rectly toward ~
'Uood-evenfns. Colonel" he said.
bowling deeply. "Your face 10 not
familiar to me. but you win permit mo
to introduce mysslf-Hajor Monsoon.
Of General 1hsridsn's STAFF"
accepted the fat, shapeless hand
he extended. and pressed it warmly.
II was Just meMtstfnS q retreat.
Major. when you appeared" I replied
frankly. For mar my face II equal
~ unknown to al others present. In
deed, I feel like . cat in a strange
garrett, ana hesitated to appear at all.
MY only excuse for doing 80 was a
promise made Colonel Culbertson
previous to his being ordered out on
duty. am Colonel Curran, Of the
Sixth Ohio, but at present serving on
the staff Of General Halleck at Wash.
ington."
The Majors round. red face glowed
with welcome.
Extremely pleased to meet you. in
deed" he exclaimed eagerly, "and
you may be sure of cordial greet
ing. Will you kindly step this way"
AS we slowly elbowed our way for
ward, all desire to escape from the
ordeal fled, and assumed the risks
Of the masquerade with the reckless
audacity of my years. Before we
reached the ballroom my conductor,
his fat countenance fairly beaming
with cordially. had stopped at least
twenty times to present me to various
military titles. and had accepted in
Vulnerable invitations without in the
least knowing who gave them, or
where they were to be fulfilled. Final
ly, however, we broke through the
massed ring, and succeeded in reach
ing the tall individual in spectacles
TO whom the Major had spoken previ-
Gus to seeking me. and l learned
through the Introduction which fol-
lowed that was In the presence of
Brigsdier-0 General Carlton. chief OF
staff.
For Z moment, as I responded to
the hearty cordially Of his welcome,
was enabled to take my first glance
at the ballroom, and found it to my
unaccustomed soldier eyes an inspfr.
ing spectacle. The room was magnifi-
Gently large surprising apartment.
indeed, even in so superb a Southern
homo % this had evidently been, and
its proportions were magnified by
numerous mirrors extending from
floor 10 ceiling, causing the more
distant dancers to appear circling in
space. Brilliantly illumined by means
Of hanging chandeliers that oscillated
slightly to the merry feet: decorated
lavishly everywhere with festooned
flags and tastefully arranged NUM-
lions Of war: gay with the dress uni.
forms of the men and the handsome
gowns of the women, 1t composed
scene SO different from any I had
looked upon IN years as to hold me
fascinated. The constant clatter OF
tongues. the merry laughter, the flash
Ing Of bright eyes, and the CLEAN Of
snowy shoulders, the good-humored
rspAEtses caught a. the various
couples circle swiftly past, the quick,
musical gliding Of flying feet over the
WARM floor, the continuous whirl Of
~ Intoxicating waltz. and over all
the inspiring strains of Strauss,
caused my heart to bound. and
brought With 1t an insane desire to
participate.
Yet saxing. entranced. upon the AMI
mated scene. and feeling deeply the
::::.ex!c:tscn ne the moment, my eyes
were eagerly searching that happy
thrunG for sight OF one fair womsn's
face. StranSAs N Il mnat seem to 9th