Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-12-07
CHAPTER xv.-continued.


For a moment, as ! responded to
the hearty cordially Of his welcome.
was enabled to take my first glance
at the ballroom. and found 1t to my
unaccustomed soldier eyes an inspir-
Ing spectacle. The room was magnifi.
Gently large,-a surprising apartment
indeed. even in so superb a Southern
home as this had evidently been, and
it, nroDortions 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 oscillated
slightly to the merry feet; decorated
lavishly everywhere with festooned
flags and tastefully arranged NUM-
tons OF war; gay with the dress uni
forms OF the men and the handsome
gowns of the women, It composed a
scene SO different from any 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
repartses caught as the various
couples circle swiftly past. the quick.
musical gliding Of flying feet over the
waxen floor. the continuous whirl Of
tue 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
intoxication Of the moment, my eyes
were eagerly searching that happy
throng for sight Of one fair woman's
face. Strange as It must seem to 9th.
ers, 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
secretly longed for just such a hap
pening; felt, indeed, that must again
see her, have speech with her, before
I went forth alone into the manifold
dangers Of the night. It was fool.
ENTHUSIASTICALLY in very truth
yet sucn was the secret yearning OF
my heart. If could only once
know from her own truthful lips. that
she already belonged to another,
could, l believe, tear her image from
my memory; but while yet doubted
land in spite Of all l had heard
doubted stilD, no desperate case
should ever proven. my seeking her
with all the mad ardor Of love, no
faintness Of heart should intervene
between US. That she was present
knew from those chance words over
heard In the chimney, and my one
deep hope ever since donned that
Federal uniform and ventured down
the stairs "a hope most oddly mingled
with dread) was that we might in
some manner be brought together
was yet vainly seeking a glimpse Of
her among the many who circled past,
when l 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 was being piloted down the
side Of the long room. while he Cos
sIped in my rather inattentive ear.
"As yen have doubtless remarked.
Colonel, we are extremely fortunate
in our ladies tonight By Jove. they
would grace an Inauguration ball at
Washington. So many officers wives
have joined us lately, supposing we
would make permanent camp here,
an6 besides there are more loyal fam
lilies In this neighbofhood than we
find usually. At least their loyalty
IL 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 thinki"
Extremely well; the decorations
are in most excellent taste"
Entirely the work Of the staff.
Great pity 80 many were compelled to
Do absent, but q soldier can never
Tell. Here upon special duty, Coloneli"
7 brought dispatches from the
President TO General Sheridan"
wish you might remain with ~
rrrrriurnfiy. Your sommand. I. b.