Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-01-17
CHAPTER xV.-Continued.

For a moment. as I responded to
the hearty cordiality Of his welcome.
was enabled to take my first glance
at the ballroom, and found It to my
unaccustomed soldier eyes an inspir.
Ing spectacle. The room was magnifi-
Gently large,-a surprising apartment.
indeed, even in 80 superb Southern
home as this had evidently been. and
Its proportions were magnified by
numerous mirrors extending from
floor to ceiling, causing the more
distant dancers to appear circling in
space. Brilliantly illumined by means
Of hanging chandeliers that oscillated
slightly to the merry feet: decorated
lavishly everywhere with festooned
flags and tastefully arranged NUM-
tons OF war: gay with the dress uni
forms OF the men anC the handsome
gowns of the women, it composed q
scene so 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
Naxen floor, the continuous whirl of
the intoxicating waltz. and over all
the 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
fntoxication of the moment, my eyes
were eagerly searching that happy
throng for sight of one fair woman's
face. Strange AZ 1t must seem to 9TH
ers, in spite of the fact that to meet
her might mean betrayal and death
ay! might even result in the destruc-
ton OF an army-in my weakness I
secretly longed for just such a hap
penlng; felt, indeed. that I must again
see her, have speech with her, before
l went forth alone into the manifold
dangers of the night. It was fool
enthusiastically in very truth
yet suco was the secret yearning of
my heart. If / could only once
know from her own truthful lips, that
she already belonged to another. I
could, l believe, tear her image from
my mepory; but while 1 yet doubted
land IL spite Of 6I1 I had heard I
doubted stilD, 20 desperate case
should "ver prevent my seeking her
with all tie mad ardor Of love. no
faintnes$ Of heart should intervene
between US. That she was present 7
knew from those chance words over-
heard in the chimney, and nv one
deep hope ever since donned that
Federal uniform and ventured down
the stairs "a hope most oddly mingled
with dread) was that we might in
some manner be brought together. l
was yet vainly seeking a glimpse of
Der among the many who circled past,
when / was suddenly recalled to the
extreme delicacy of my situation by
the deep voice of the Major asking me
a direct question::
DO you ever dance, Colonel?"
Exactly what may have replied l
know not, but it was evidently trans.
lated as an affirmative, for in another
moment l was being piloted down the
side Of the long room, while he Cos
siped in my rather inattentive ear.
"As you have doubtless remarked,
Colonel, we are extremely fortunate
IN our ladies tonight. BY Jove, they
would grace an Inauguration ball at
Washington. So many officers wives
aave joined US lately, supposing we
would make permanent camp here.
anG besides there are more loyal fam.
lilies IN this neighborhood than we
find usually At least their loyalty
is quite apparent while we remain.
Then the General Hospital nurses are
not especially busy.-no battle lately
you know,-and there are some
deuced pretty girls among them. Ball
room looks nice, don't you Think"
Extremely we'll; the decorations
are in most excellent TASTE"
Entirely the work Of the staff.
Great pity so many were compelled to
be absent, but a soldier can never
tell. Here upon special duty, Colonel?"
Il brought dispatches from the
President to General Sheridan
wish you might remain with us
permanently. Your command. I be-
lieve, is not connected with our East
earn army"
mo, with Thomas in the Cumber.
land"
"Ab, yes; had some very pretty
fighting out there, understand-oh,
pardon me, Miss Minor, permit me
to present to you Colonel Curran, of
General Halleck's staff. The Colonel,
believe. IL as able a dancer az he is
a soldier, and no higher compliment
to mis- abilities coulA possibly be paid.
Miss Minor. Colonel, is q native Wiz.
ginian. who is present, under protest,
hoping doubtless to capture some
young officer. and thus weaken the