The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1911-12-01
CHAPTER XIV.
At the Staff Officers Ball.

The young officer glanced UP LASTLY
at sound OF approaching footsteps, and
rose to his feet to permit of my pas
sage. He wore the full dress uni
| form of an artilleryman, and his evi-
dent surprise at my presence made
ME realize the necessity Of addressing
him.
Lieutenant" I asked courteously,
resting one hand easily upon the
balustrade. could you inform me If
General Sheridan and those members
of the staff who accompanied him
down the lines this afternoon have
yet returned?"
They have not, sir"
"Ah, l was in hopes they might
have arrived by this time"
/ bowed to them both, and passed
slowly down the wide stairway, sev-
eral couples rising as | drew near
to permit of my passage. The lower
hall was very comfortably filled with
figures moving herr 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
l observed not few civilian suits,
and considerable number Of women.
some wearing the neat dress OF the
army nurse, others much more elabo-
rately at.ired-daughters OF the neigh
borhood. probably, with a sprinkling
of wives and sisters Of the soldiery.
Guards, leaning upon their muskets.
stood in statuesque poses on either
side Of the main entrance, 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 floated the low,
swinging music Of the band.
A fat, Notwithstanding man OF
forty, an infantry major. but wearing
staff decorations, and evidently Of
| ficiating in the capacity of floor-fnan-
ager, after whispering word in the
| ear of another of the sa1 kind beside
| the ballroom door, hastily pushed his
| way through the laughing throng d.
re city toward me.
"Good-evening, Colonel" he said.
| bcwing deeply. Your face is not
familiar to me, but you will permit me
to introduce myself-Major Monsoon,
of General Sheridan's staff
l accepted the fat. shapeless hand
he extended. and pressed it warmly.
Il was just meditating a retreat,
Major, when you appeared" / replied
frankly. For fear my face is equal
ly unknown to all others present. In
| deed, / feel like cat in strange
! garret. and hesitated to appear at ALL
| MY only excuse for doing so was a
| promise made Colonel Culbertson
previous to his being ordered out on
| duty. I 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, land
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 cordiality. had stopped at least
twenty times to present ne 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
masscd ring. and succeeded ir reach
ing the tall individual in spectacles
to whom the Major had spoken previ
Gus to seeking me. and learned
through tho introduction which fol.
lowed that l was In this presence OF
Brigadier-General Carlton. chief Of
staff.
CTO BE CONTINUED)