Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-12-20
CHAPTER xv.-contlnued.

! Nfifff- En &Ns--CO0ftnuG0s
For moment, as | 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 inspir-
Ing spectacle. The room was magnIfi.
Gently large,--a surprising apartment,
indeed, even in so superb Southern
home as this had evidently been. ans
itb proportions were magnified by
numerous mirrors extending from
floor to ceiling. causing the more
distant dancers to appear circling in
space Brilliantly illumined by means
OF hanging chandeliers that osciIlated
| slightly to the merry feet: decorated
lavishly everywhere with festooned
nags and tastefully arranged NUM-
lions OF war: gay with the dress uni.
| forms OF the men anG the handsome
gowns of the women, II composed
scene go different from any I had
looked upon in years as 10 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
repartees caught as the various
couples circle swiftly past. the quick.
musical gliding Of flying feet over Che
waxen floor. the continuous whirl OF
tao 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 gazing. entranced. upon the ami
mated scene, and feeling deeply the
lntoxication Of the moment, my eyes
were eagerly searching that happy
throng for sight of one fair woman's
face. Strange as Il must seem 10 9TH
era, In spite OF the fact that to meet
her might mean betrayal and death
ay might even result In the destruc-
ton of an army-in my weakness I
secretly longed for Just such a han
pening: felt, indeed. that must aga.l,
see her, have speech with her. before
] went forth alone into the manifold
dangers OF the night. It was fool.
hardness. Insanity in very truth
yet sucn was the secret yearning OF
my heart. II could only once
know from her own truthful lips. that
she already belonged 10 another. /
could. believe, tear her image from
my memory; but while ! yet doubted
land in spite of all | had heard !
doubted stilD. no desperate case
should ever prevent my seeking her
Al "a Of
faintnoss of heart should intervene
between us. That she was present
knew from those chance words over.
heard In the chimney, and nv one
deep hope ever since donued that
Federal uniform and ventured down
the stairs Ca hope most oddly mingled
with dread) was that we might IL
some manner be brought together.
was yet vainly seeking a glimpse OF
her among the many who cIreled past.
when | was suddenly recalled to the
extreme delicacy of my situation by
the deep voice of the Major asking me
a direct question:
DO You ever dance, Colonel?"
Exactly what | may have replied |
know not. but It was evidently trans
lated as an affirmative, for in another
moment l was being piioted down the
side of the long room. while he Cos.
siped in my rather inattentiye ear.
AS you have doubtless remarked,
Colonel. We are extremely fortunate
ia our ladies tonight BY Joye. they
would grace an Inauguration ball at
Washington. So many officers wives
have joined us lately. supposing we
would make permanent camp here,
ant besides there arc more loyal fam
flies ia this neighborhood than we
find usually. At leass their loyalty
Is quite apparent while we remain
Then the General Hospital nurses are
not especially busy,-no battle lately.
you know.-and there are some
deuced pretty girls among them, Ball
room looks nice. don't you Think"
Extremely we'll, the decorations
are In most excellent taste"
Entirely the work OF the staff.
Great pity 50 many were compelled to
be absent, but soldier can never
tell Here upon special duty. Colonel?"
Il brought dispatches from the
President to General Sheridan"
Wish you might remain with Us
permanently. Your command. be-
lieve, is not connected with our East
( earn army"
mo, with Thomas in the Cumber-
land
"Ah, yes: had some very pretty
fighting out there. understand--oh.
pardon me. Miss Minor, permit me
TO present TO you Colonel CurrS~ OF
General Halleck's stan. The Colonel.
believe. Is as able a dancer as ne is
a soldier, and no nigher compliment
1 to his abilities coula possibly be paid.
Miss Minor. Colonel. is native vir-
giaiap. who Is present under protest.
/ hoping doubtless TO capture some
young officer, and thus weaken the
nemy
bowed pleasantly 10 the b.4ght-
go voAug woman fsclLg me. and not