The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-11-04
CHAPTER XIV.
At tho Staff Officers Ball

AT Sno 0t&II OtIIC0TS BALL.
The young officer glanced up hastily
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 evil
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 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, I was in hopes they might
have arrived by this time"
bowed to them BOTH and passed
slowly down the wide stairway, sew
eral couples rising as l drew near
to permit of my passage. The lower
hall was very comfortably filled with
figures moving hero and there In con-
verse, or occupying seats pressed
close against the walls. The greater
portion were attlred in uniforms of
the various branches Of service, yet
I observed not a few civilian suits,
and considerable number of women,
some wearing the neat dress of the
army nurse, others much more elabo-
rately atuired-daughters of the neigh
borhood, probably, with sprinkling
Tf xr{v nd Cd ~
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
floating in the capacity of floor-man-
ager, after whispering o word in the
ear Of another of the sane kind beside
the ballroom door, hastily pushed his
way through tho laughing throng d.
rectly toward me.
"Good-evening, Colonel" he said,
bowling deeply. "Your face is not
familiar to me, but you will permit me
to introduce myse]l-Major Monsoon,
Of General Sheridan's staff"
accepted the fat shapeless hand
he extended. and pressed it warmly.
u was Just medltating retreat,
Major, when you appeared" replied
frankly. For fear my face is equal.
ly unknown to all others present. In.
deed, feel like a cat in a strange
garrett 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. 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
Decd" he exclaimed eagerly. "and
you may be sure of a cordial greet
ing. Will you kindly step this way?"
AS we slowly elbowed our way for
ward, all desire to escape from tho
ordeal fled, and l assumed the risks
of tho 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 spectaclea
to whom the Major had spoken previ.
GUS to seeking me, and l learned
through the introduction which fol
lowed that I was in the presence OF
Brigadier-G General Carlton, chief Of
staff.
For moment, AZ I responded t.
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 20 superb Southern
home as this had evidently been, and
fth Droportions we're magnified by
numerous mirrors extending frnr
floor to ceiling, causing the more
distant dancers to appear circling ir
space. Brilliantly ilIumined by meanf
of hanging chandeliers that oscillatet
slightly to the merry feet; decorated
lavishly everywhere with festooned
flags and tastefuIly arranged NUM-
tons Of war: gay with the dress uni
forms of the men and the handsome
gowns Of the women, It composed Z
scene go different from any I hat
looked upon in years as to hold mt
fascinated. The constant clatter o
tongues, the merry laughter, the flash
ing Of bright eyes. and the CLEAN O