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

@A WMNt
h0r q m0ment, rs I responded to
the hearty cordially Of his welcome.
1 was enabled to take my first glance
81 the ballroom, and found It to my
u~naccustomed soldier eyer an inspir-
ing spectacle. The room Was magnifi-
Gently large.-a surprising apartment,
indeed, even in so superb a Southern
home as this had evidently been. and
It's proportions were magnified by
numerous mirrors extending from
floor to ceiling, causing the more
distant dancers to appear ciroling in
space. Brilliantly nlumined by means
Of hanging chandeliers that oscillated
slightly to the merry feet; decorated
iavishly everywhere with festooned
flags and tastefully arranged NUM-
tons of war; gay with the dress uni
forms Of the men and the handsome
gowns Of the women, It composed a
scene 80 different from any / had
looked upon in years as to hold me-
fascinated. The constant clatter Of
tongues, the merry laughter. the flash
ing OF bright eyes, and the CLEAN OF
snowy shoulders, the good-humored
repartees caught as the various
couples circle swiftly past, the quick,
musical gliding Of flying feet over the
waxen floor. the continuous whirl Of
tue Intoxicating waltz, and over all
tho inspiring strains Of Strauss,
caused my heart TO bound, and
brought with It an insane desire to
participate.
Yet gazing. %entranced. upon the ami
mated scene. and feeling deeply the.
intoxcation Of the moment, my eyes
we're eagerly searching that happy
throng for sight Of one fair woman's
face. Strange as It must seem to 9TH
era, In spite of the fact that to meet
her might mean betrayal and death
ayl might even result in the destruc-
ton Of an army-in my weakness /
secretly longed for Just such a hap,
pening; felt, indeed. that I must again
see her. have speech with her, before
went forth alone into tbs manifold
dangers Of the night. It was fool
hardness, -insanity In very truth
yet sucn was the secret yearning of
M heart II I could only once
know from her own truthful lips, that
she already belonged to another.
could, / believe, tear her image from
my memory; but while l yet doubted
land In spite Of all had heard ]
doubted still), no desperate case
should ever prevent my seeking her
with all the mad ardor Of love, nc
faintness OF heart should intervene
between us. That she was present
knew from those chance words over
heard in the chimney and my one
deep hope ever since ! donned that
F'ederai uniform and ventured down
the stairs "a hope most oddly mingled
with dread was that we might ii
some manner be brought together.
was yet vainly seeking a glimpse o.
her among the many who circled past
when I was suddenly recalled to thu
extreme delicacy Of my situation b
the deep voice Of the Major asking ma
a direct question:
HDc you ever dance. C%oloneig
exactly what / may have replied
know not, but It was evidently trans
lated as an affirmative, for In anothe
moment ! was being plotted down tn
side OF the long room. while be gos
aped IN my rather lnattenuve ear.
As you have doubtless remarked
Colonel. we are extremely fortunat
81 our ladies tonight BY Jove, the
would grace an inauguration ball q
Washington. So many officers wiYe
have Joined US lately, s%upposing W
would make permanent camp here
and besides there are more loyal rem
flies ia this neighborbood than "
find usually. At least their loyalt
IS quite apparent while we remain
Then the General Hospital nurses an
not especially busY,-no battle iatell
you kn0w-and there are som
deuced pretty girls among them bai
room looks nice, don't you thinkf
extremely we'll the decoration
are in most excellent taste
Entirely the work Of the stat
Great pity SO many we're compelled
30 absent but a soldier can ney.
ten Here upon special duty Coionei'
brought dispatches IRON ~
Eosident 10 General Sheridan
wish you might remain van
refmanently Your coulTaana =