The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-03-09
CHAPTER XIV.
Al the staff Officers, Ball.


The young officer glanced up hastily
at sound OF approaching footsteps, and
rose TO his feet 10 permit OF my pas
sage He wore the full dress uni
form OF an artilleryman. and his evi.
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 II
General Sheridan and those members
OF the staff who accompanied him
down the lines this afternoon have
yet returned?"
They have not, sir"
All. 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 | drew near
10 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
portion were attired In uniforms Of
the various branches OF service. yet
l observed not few civilian suits,
and considerable number OF women
some wearing the neat dress of the
army nurse, others much more elabo-
rately attired-daughters OF the neigh
borhood. probably, with sprinkling
OF wives and sisters or the soldlery
Guards. leaning upon their muskets
stood In statuesque poses on either
side or 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. good-natured-looking man OF
forty, an infantry major, but wearing
staff decorations. and evidently Of
ficiating in the capacity OF floor-man-
ager, after whispering word In the
ear OF another of the same kind beside
the ballroom door, hastily pushed his
way through the laughing throng d.
rcctly toward me.
"Good-evening, Colonel he said,
bowling 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 a retreat.
Major, when you appeared" replied
frankly. For fear my face is equal
ly unknown TO all others present In
deed, feel like cat in a strange
garnet, 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 al 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.
ing VIII you kindly step this way?"
AS we slowly elbowed our way for.
ward all desire TO 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 beamins
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 we're 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 20 seeking me. and ! learned
throuA the introduction which fol.
lowed that | vas in the presence of
Brigadler.General Carlton. chief OF
staff.
For a moment rs responded 20
the hearty cordiality of his welcome.
was enabled 20 take my first glance
at the ballroom. and found II 90 my
unaccustomed soldier eyes an inspir
inw spectacle The room was maQpl0.