The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-02-03
CHAPTER XIV
At the Staff Officers Bail.

At the STAR OFfiCeFS SaI'.
The Joung officer glanced up LASTLY
a sound OF approaching footsteps. and
rose 10 his feet to permit CT my pas
sage II. wore the full dress uni
form Of an artlleryInan, and his evil
dent surprise a; my presence made
me realize the necessity OF addressing
him
"Lieutenant asked Cuurteousll
resting one hand easily upon the
balustradc. could you inform me if
General Sheridan and those members
OF the staff who accompanied him
down the lines this afternoon have
yet returued?'
They have not, sir
All. was in hopes they might
have arrived by this time
boxed to them both and passed
slowly down the wide stairway, sew
cyal couples rising as drew near
to permit of my passage The lower
hall was very comfortably filled with
figures moving her. and there in con
verse or occupying seats pressed
close against the walls The greater
portiG-l were attircd in uniforms OF
the various branches OF service. yet
/ observed not a few civilian suits,
and a considerable number of women.
some wearing the neat dress OF the
army nlrse. others much more elabo
rately Al >ired-daughters of the neigh
borhOod. probably. with sprinkllng
Of wives and sisters OF the soldiery.
Guards. leaning upon their muskets,
stood in statuesquc poses on either
side of the main entI ance, 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. MISUNDERSTANDING man or
forty, an infantry major, but wearing
staff decorations. and evidently or
ficating in the capacity of floor-man
aser. after whispering word In the
ear of another of the sal ; kind beside
the ballroom door, hastily pushed his
way through the laughing throng di-
T, city toward me.
Good evening, Colonel, he sai.4.
lowing deeply. Your face Is not
familiar to me- but you will permit me
to introduce myself-Major Monsoon.
OF General Sheridan's staff.
accepted the fat. shapeless hand
he extended. and pressed ii warmly
Il was just meditating retreat,
Major, when you appeared replied
frankly. For ] fear my face is equal
" unknown to all others present. In
deed. ! feel like a cat In strange
garrett. and hesitated TO appear at all.
NV only excuse for doing so was
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 Iiaileck At Wash
ington
The Majors round, red face glowed
with welcome.
Extremely pleased to meet you. IN
deed" he exclaimed eagerly. and
YOU may be sure Of cordial greet
irg Will you kindly step this way"
As we slowly elbowed our way for
ward. all desire 10 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 cordially. had stopped at least
twenty times TO present ilc 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
". however. We broke through the
massed ring, and succeeded in reach
ing the tall individual in spectacles
to whom the Major had spoken previ-
Gus to seeking me. and learned
through the introduction which foF
lowed that | was In the presence OF
Brigadier-General Carlton. chief OF
staff
,TO BE CONTINUED