Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-04-18
Copyright. 1907 by the Outing Publishing
Company

Come" she said. well put you up
with us, right here. Johnson. take
Mr. Cowles things and 20 down to
the city at once for his bags"
But, my dear Mrs. Kitty" ] pro
tested. 81 can't. | really must be get
ting on. I'm here on business with
Colonel Meriwether''
Never mind about Colonel Meri-
wether." rejoined my hostess well
find him later-he's up the river some
where. Always take care of the i'm
portant things first. The most impor
tant thing in the whole world just now
is the officers ball tonight. Don't you
see them fixing up the dancing plat
form on parade? It's just as well the
K. O.'s away, because tonight the mice
certainly are going to play"
The city of st. Louis was then the
richest and gayest capital of the west.
the center of the commercial and so
cial life of west and south alike Some
of the most beautiful women of the
world dwelt there and never. i'm
agine, had bellies holder suitors than
these who passed through or tarried
with the army. What wonder the say
ing that no army man ever passed ST
Louis without leaving a heart or TAX
ing one with him? What wonder that
these gay young beauties emptied
many an army pocket for flowers and
gems and only filed many an army
heart with dependency in return?
Sackcloth lay beyond on the frontier
Ball followed Dall. one packed recep-
ton after another Dinings and send
ing of flowers and evening love max,
ings-these for the time seemed the
main business of jefferson barracks.
Social exemptions are always made for
army men. ever more gallant than af-
fluent, and St. Louis entertained these
gentlemen nightly with no expecta
ton of equivalent. yet occasionally the
sons of Mars gave return entertain
ments to the limits, or more than the
limits, OF their purses The officers
balls at these barracks were the envy
of all the army, and ! doubt If any
regimental bands in the service had
reason for more proficiency in waltz
time
or some OF these things my hostess
advised me as we sat for the sake of
the shade. on the gallery OF No. III.
where Stevenson's man Of all work
had brought a glass topped table ana
some glasses Here Captain Steven.
son presently joined us, and after that
escape was impossible
do you suppose Mr.. Cowles is en-
gaged?" asked Kitty of her husband
impersonally and apropos of nothing
that ! could see.
Il don't think so He looks too
deuced comfortable" drawled Steven
son
If he isn't engaged be will be before
morning" remarked Kitty.
Indeed. and 70 whom, prayE" ! in.
quired
How should ! know indeed. how
should you know Any one OF a dozen
first one you see-tirSt one who sees
you. because you are tall and can
dance"
Il hardly think | should dance "
'Of course YOU will dance. If you re-
fuse you will be put in irons and taken
out tomorrow and shot. II will do you
no good to sit and think. poor bOy
Il have no clothes | protested.
You don't want your own clothes
This Is bal masque think you'd look
well in one OF Mats uniforms
That's so" said Stevenson. we're
about of a size. Good disguise. too.
since you've never been here. | say.
Kitty. what an awfully good joke II
would be TO put him up against two or
three OF those heartIess uirts you call
your friends Ellen. fot instance"