The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-14
copyrzal BY A. c. NieCiary a Co.
Enssrrd q SfHioo<r's Nall London.


90 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-
hevo. is not connected with our East
earn army?"
No. with Thomas in the Cumber-
land"
All, yes: had some very pretty
lighting out there, I understand-oh,
pardon me. Miss Minor, permit me
e. present to you Colonel Curran. of
General Halleck's staff. The Colonel,
l believe, Is as able dancer an he is
soldier. and no higher compliment
to his abilities could possibly be paid
Miss Minor. Colonel. is a native vir-
girian, who Is present under protest
hoping doubtless to capture some
young officer, and thus weaken the
enemy"
bowed pleasantly to the bright
eyed young woman facing me, and not
sorry TO escape the Majors inquisi-
uveness, at once begged for tho re-
mainder OF the waltz. The request
was laughingly granted, and In anoth.
% moment We were threading our way
amid the numerous couples upon the
noor. She proved so delightful a
oancer that Y simply yielded myself
up to full enjoyment OF the measure.
ana conversation lapsed, until a sud
oen cessation Of the music left us
stranded so close to the fireplace that
the very sight OF II brought a vivid
realisation OF my perilous position. II
mao not. my companions chance
remark most assurediy would.
How easily you waltz" she said
enthusiastically. her sparkling eyes
and flushed cheeks testifying to her
Keen enjoyment. $50 many find me
difficult TO keep step with that have
become fearful of venturing upon the
floor with a stranger. However. I
shall always be glad to give you a
character to any of my friends"
Il sincerely thank you." returned
IN tho same spirit, "and can GER
tainly return the compliment most
heartily. IL is so long since / was
privileged to dance with a lady that
confess to having felt decidedly
awkward at the start. but your step
proved so accommodating that / be
came at once at home. and enjoyed
the waltz immensely. fail to dis
cover any seats In the room, or I
should ondeayor to find one vacant
for you"
"oh. am not In the least tired"
She was looking at me with SO deep
an expression Of interest In her eyes
that I dimly wondered at IL.
Did understand rightly" she
asked. playing idly with her fan,
that Major Monsoon introduced you
to me as Colonel Curran OF General
Halleck's staff?"
What the deuce am I up agalnss
now? l thought. and my heart beat
a1ickly. Yet retreat was impossible.
and ! arcwered with assumed care
lessness:
Il am. most assuredly, Colonel Cur
ran"
From Ohior'
This was certainly coming after me
win a vengeance. and I stole one
quick glance at the girls face. Il
was devoid OF suspicion, merely eyinc.
Ing polite interest.
Il have the honor OF commanding
thS Sixth Artillery Regiment from that
State"
You must pardon me, Colonel, for
my seeming inqulsitiveness." and her
eJes sperkled with demure mischief
Yet cannot quite understand. was
at school In Connecticut with a Miss
Curran whose father was an officer of
artillery from Ohio. and. naturally. I
at once thought OF her when the
Major pronounced your name; vet n
certainly cannot be you-you are al.
together too young. for Myrtle must
be eighteen"
laughed. decidedly rel, we'd from
what feared nigh, prove a most
awkward situation.
We'll. yes. Miss Minor. I am In.
deed somewhat youthful 10 be Myrtle's
father" l said at a venture. but I
might servo as her brother. you
know. and not stretch the point OF age
over-much"
She clasped her hands on my arm
with gesture of delight.
"Oh, am so glad; I knew Myrtle
had brother. but never heard he also
was In the army. Did you know,
Colonel. she was Intending TO come
down here with me when returned
South. at the close OF our school
year, but from some cause was dis.
appointed. How delighted she would
have been TO meet you! I shall Ger.
tainly write and tell her what O
splendldly romantic time we had 10.
gether. You look so much like Myrtle
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