Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-04-03
CHAPTER XIV



The young officer glanced up hastily
at sound OF approaching footsteps and
rose to his feet to permit OF my pas
sage, lis 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 end those members
OF the staff who accompanied him
down the lines this afternoon have
yet returned?"
They have not, sir"
"Ah, 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 l drew near
to 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
observed not a few civilian salts,
and a considerable number OF women,
some wearing the neat dress Of the
army nurse, others much more elabo
rately atsired-daughter of the neigh
borhood. probably, with a sprinkling
Of wives and sisters of the soldiery.
Guards, leaning upon their muskets.
stood in statuesque poses on either
side of the main enh ance. 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-lookin man Of
forty, an infantry major. but wearing
staff decorations, and evidently of.
Floating in the capacity of floor-man.
ager. after whispering a word in the
ear of another OF the sal ; kind beside
the ballroom door, hastily pushed his
way through the laughing throng d.
rcctly toward me.
"Good-evening, Colonel" he said,
bcwing deeply. your face is not
familiar to me, but you win permit me
to introduce myself-Major Monsoon,
of General Sheridan's staff"
l accepted the fat, shapeless hand
he extended. and pressed 1t 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
garrett, and hesitated to appear at all,
My only excuse for doing SO was .
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 at Wash
ington"
The Majors round, red face giowed
with welcome,
Extremely pleased to meet Joy, in.
deed" he exclaimed ef.gerly, ard
you may be sure Of cordial greet.
ing. Will you kindly step this wsyf"
AS we slowly elbowed our way for
ward, all desire to escape from ths
ordeal fled, and l assumed the risks
of the masquerade with the reckless
audacity of my years. Before we
reached the ballroom my conductor,
his fat countenance fairly beamine
with cordially, had stopped at least
twenty times to present me to various
| military titles, and had accepted Ia.
Vulnerable invitations without in the
least knowing who gave them, OF
where they we're to be fulfilled Final
ly, 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 to seeking me, and learned
through the introduction which fol
lowed that ] was in the presence OF
Brigadier-General Carlton, chief Of
staff.
(To BE CoNTINUED)