Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-01-19
CHAPTER xv.-contlnued.

Of5AF Elk NV.-C0nTinUSQ.
For moment, as 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-
ms spectacle. The room was magnifi-
Gently large,-a surprising apartment
indeed, even in so 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
layishly everywhere with festooned
flags and tastefully arranged NUM-
lions Of war; gay with the dress uni
forms or the men and the handsome
gowns of the women, it composed a
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
waxen floor, the continuous whirl Of
the Intoxicating waltz, and over all
the inspiring strains of Strauss,
caused ny heart to bound, and
brought with 1t 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 as 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 1
secretly longed for just such a hap
pening; felt, indeed, that must again
see her, have speech with her, before
went forth alone into the manifold
dangers of the night 1t was fool
hardness insanity In very truth
yet sucn 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, believe, tear her image from
my memory; but while l yet doubted
land in spite of all had heard I
doubted stilD, no desperate case
should ever proven, my seeking her
with all the mad ardor of love, no
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
Federal uniform and ventured down
the stairs Ga hope most oddly mingled
with dread) was that we might in
some manner be brought together. I
was yet vainly seeking a glimpse of
her 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 I
know not. but 1t 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.
CAS- 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
have 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,-snd 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
he absent, but soldier can never
tell. Here upon special duty. Colonel?"
81 brought dispatches from the
President tn General Sheridan"
Wish you might remain with us
permanently. Your command. be-