The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER xV.
At the stair Officers BAN.

The young officer glanced UP Lasuily
at sound Of approaching footsteps, and
rose to his feet to permit Of my pas
sage, HS wore the full dress uni.
form OF an a%rtnleryman, and his evil
dent surprise az my presence made
me realize the neoessitg of addressing
him.
Lieutenant" i asked ~courteously,
resting enc hand easily upon the
balustrade. could you inform me
General Sheridan ana those members
Of the staff who accompanied him
down the lines this afternoon have
yet %returned2"
They have not, sir"
"Ah. was in hopes they might
have arrived by this time"
I bowed to them both. and passed
slowly down the wide stairway, sew
eral couples rising as I drew near
90 permit Of my passage. The lower
hall was very comfortably filled with
figures moving herr 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
I observed not q few civilian suits,
and a considerable number OF women,
some wearing the neat dress Of the
army nurse. others much more slabo-
rately atired---daughters Of the neigh
borhood, probably, With g sprinkling
Of wives and sisters Of the soldiery.
Guards, leaning upon their muskets,
stood 10 %statuesque poses on either
side of the main enhance, while the
wide archway, drsred with flags, open
ing into the ballroom, revealed an
inspiring glimpse of swiftly revolving
figures IN gay uniforms and flashing
skirts. over ell floated the low.
swinging music Ct the band.
A. fat, good-natured-looking man OF
forty, an infantry major, bit wearing
staff decorations, and evidently Of
fieiating In the capacity. OF floor-man-
ager. after whispering a word in the
ear OF another Of the a kind beside
the ballroom door, hastily pushed his
way through the laughing throng d.
roctly toward me-
"Good-eyening, Colonel" he said.
bowling deeply. Your face Is not
familiar to me, but you win permit mo
TO introduce myself-Maior Monsoon,
Of General sheridan's staff.
accepted the fat, shapelass hand
be extended. and pressed it warmly.
~ was Just medltating a retreat,
Major, when you appeared" ! replied
frankly tFor fear my face Is equal.
" unknown 70 all others present In
deed ! feel like q cat in a strange
garnet and hesiteted to appear at an.
MY only excuse Tor doing so was a
promise made Colonel Culbertson
previous 70 his being ordered out on
duty. aim Colonel Cnrran OF the
Sixth Onto, but at present serving on
the STAFF Of General Halleck at 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 q cordial greet.
81 VIA fNA MAANAt STEP luis ~
As we aloWiy elbowed our way for.
ward. an desire to escape from the
ordeal fled. and assumed the risks
Of the masquerade with the reckless
ahdaeitg Of my years. Before we
reached the ballroom my conductor.
bis fat e~ountenance fairly beaming
with cordially. had stopped al least
twenty times to present nae to various
military titles, and ! had accepted in.
Vulnerable Invitations without ia The
least knowing who gave them or
where they We're TO BE- fulfilled. Final
iy, however, we broke through the
massed ring. and succeeded IN reach.
ing the tail Individual Ia spectacles
to whom the Major had spoken preyi.
q to seeking me, and learned
through the Introduction which foi.
lowed that / was 40 the presence of
Brleadier.C General Carlton. chief of
staff
GRO BE CQNTINUEDl