The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-01-18

AA6uhNH q Moto, 4 uNNtlathNuLvN
pardon me Miss Minor. permit nae
to present 10 you Colonel Curran. Of
General Halleck's stan The Colonel
] believe. ia as able 3 dancer as 10 IS
a soldier, and no higher compliment
TO his abilities coula possibly be paid
Miss Minor. Colonel. la 8 native Vir-
ginian. who IS present under protest,
hoping doubtless to capture some
young officer. and thus weaken the
enemy"
/ bowed pleasantly to the bright
eyed young oma facing me, and not
sorry to escape the Majors inquisi-
t~iveness at once begged for the re-
mainder OF the waltz. The request
was la%ughingly granted, and IN anoth
er moment we were threading u way
amid the numerous couples upon the
floor. She proved so delightful a
dancer the simply yielded myself
up to full enjoyment Of the measure,
and conversation iapsed, until a sud
den cessation Of the music left us
stranded so close to the fireplace that
the very sight Of It brought a vivid
realization Of my perilous position. II
it had not. my companions chance
remark most assurediy would.
"How 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 I have
become fearful Of v%enturing upon the
floor with a stranger. However, /
shall always be glad to give you a
character to any Of my friends"
=. sincerely thank YOU" I returned
in the same spirit, 8and I a GER
tainly return the compliment most
heartily. It Is so long since I was
privileged to dance with a lady that
I confess to having felt decidedly
awkward at the start, but your step
proved so accommodating that / be-
came at once at home, and enjoyed
the waltz immensely. ? fail to dis
cover any seats In the room. OF ]
should endeavor to find one vacant
for you"
"Oh, ! 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 / understand rightly" she
asked, playing idly with her fan.
that Major Monsoon introduced you
to me as Colonel Curran Of General
Halleck's stan?"
What the deuce am / up against
now? thought, and my heart beaf
quickly. Yet retreat was impossible
and 1 answered Will assumed care
t l%essness:
Il am, most %assuredly, Colonel Cur
Z ran"
From ohio7"
This was certainly coming after M,
q with a vengeance. and stole on,
3 quick glance at the girls face, /
7 was devoid Of suspicion, merely eyinc
ing a polite interest
Il have the honor Of commanding
! tn, Sixth Artillery Regiment from tina
! State"
: you must pardon me. Colonel. fo
my seeming inquisitiveness." and be.
! eyes sparkled with demure mischief
: yet / cannot quite understand. / wa
at school In Connecticut with a Mis-
Curran whose father was an officer o
artillery from Ohio, and, naturally,
at once thought Of her when TIL
I Major pronounced your name; yet {
certainly cannot be you-you are a
together too young. for Myrtle mus
: be eighteen"
4 j laughed. decidedly relieved fror
! what ! feared might prove a mos
4 awkward situation.
I well, yes. Miss Minor. / am Il
\ deed somewhat youthful to be Myrtle
I father" said at a venture. but
might serve as her brother 70
y know. and not stretch the point Of az
o%ver-much."
She clasped her hands on my arr
with a gesture OF delight
ooh, j am SO glad; j knew MyrtI
had a brother, but never heard he ais
was IN the army. Did you know
Colonel, she was intending to com
= down here with me when ! returne
South, at the close OF u schO'
year, but from some cause was al
appointed now NNAAaHAoN sue WNNi
% have been TO meet youi shall oe
y tainly write and tell her what
AZ splendidly romantic time we had B
ss gether You look SO much Ike Myrt
We i wonder 4 failed to recognize you
g once.
= She was rafting ou without affor
se ing noe the slightest opportunity
y slip in a word explanatory. when hl
a. glance CHANGED to fan upon sonic oi
re who was approaching us through Il
y throng.
"Ob. by the way. Colonel, there
another OF Myrtle'a old schoolmat0
present to-nleht-a most intlma
rs friend. indeed, who would never 10
give ME n permitted you 70
If. without meeting herr
10 She drew me hack hastily.
er Edith. she said touching q
p" sleeve Of a young woman who v.
he slowly passing, Edlth wait JUST q %
ment. dear. this b Colonel Cprran.