Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-10-27

~n-eT the w0rK OF the staff.
..ast pity SO many were compelled to
absent, but soldier can never
u Here upon special duty, Colonel?"
u brought dispatches from the
..sident to General Sheridan"
wish you might remain with us
..,manently. Your command, l be-
1--we, is not connected with our East
.srp army?"
mo. with Thomas in the Cumber-
land"
oAh, yes; had some very pretty
sebting out there, understand-oh,
,ardon me, Miss Minor, permit me
n present to you Colonel Curran, Of
General Halleck's staff. The Colonel,
believe, is as able dancer as he is
a soldier, and no higher compliment
m his abilities could possibly be paid.
Miss Minor, Colonel, is a native Vir-
enian. who is present under protest,
boping doubtless to capture some
Young officer, and thus weaken the
enemy.
bowed pleasantly to the bright
eyed young woman facing me, and not
sorry to escape the Majors inquisi-
tveness, at once begged for the re-
mainder of the waltz. The request
was laughingly granted, and in anoth.
er moment we were threading our way
amid the numerous couples upon the
floor She proved so delightful a
dancer that 7 simply yielded myself
up to full enjoyment of the measure,
and conversation lapsed, until sud-
den cessation of the music left us
stranded so close to the fireplace that
the very sight Of it brought vivid
realization Of my periious position. II
it had not, my companions chance
remark most assurediy would.
"f1ow easily you waltz" she said
Enthusiastically, her sparkling eyes
and flushed cheeks testifying to her
keen enjoyment. $50 many find me
difficult to keep step with that have
become fearful of venturing upon the
floor with a stranger However,
shall always be glad to give you .
character to any Of my friends
IT sincerely thank you," returned
in the same spirit, land l can GER
tainy return the compliment most
heartily. 1t is SO long since l was
privileged to dance with lady that
l confess to having felt decidedly
awkward at the start, but your step
proved so accommodating that l be-
came at once at home, and enjoyed
the waltz immensely. / fail to dis
cover any seats in the room, or l
for you"
ooh, l am not in the least tired"
She was looking at me with so deep
an expression of interest in her eyes
that dimly wondered at it,
did l understand rightly" she
asked, playing idly with her fan,
that Major Monsoon introduced you
to me as Colonel Curran of General
Halleck's staff?"
What the deuce am I up against
now? | thought, and my heart beat
quickly Yet retreat was impossible,
anu d"SWeIeu Will dSSum6u care
lessness:
81 am, most assuredly, Colonel Cur
ran
From Ohio?"
This was certainly coming after me
with vengeance, and l stole one
quick glance at the girls face 1t
was devoid of suspicion, merely evinc-
ing polite interest.
Il have the honor of commanding
the Sixth Artillery Regiment from that
State"
You must pardon me, Colonel, for
my seeming inquisitiveness," and her
eyes sparkled with demure mischief.
Yet cannot quite understand. | was
at school in Connecticut with Miss
Curran whose father was an officer of
artillery from Ohio, and, naturally, l
at once thought of her when the
Major pronounced your name; yet it
certainly cannot be you-you are al
together too young, for Myrtle must
be eighteen"
laughed, decidedly reli wed from
what | feared might prove a most
awkward situation
Well, yes, Miss Minor, l am in
deed somewhat youthful to be Myrtle's
rather" l said at venture, but l
might serve as her brother, you
know, and not stretch the point of age
over-much"
She clasped her hands on my arm
mi IL,
win a gesture of delight.
oh, l am so glad; I knew Myrtle
mad a brother, but never heard he also
was in the army Did you know,
colonel, she was intending to come
doWn here with me when l returned
south, at the close of our school
year. but from some cause was dis
appointed. How delighted she would
nave been to meet you! l shall GER
AMY write and tell her what
Splendidly romantic time we had to-
6ether. You look so much like Myrtle
wonder I failed to recognize you at
once.%
hA