The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-11
CHAPTER XIV.
At the staff Offleers' Ball,


rose to his feet to permit of my pas
sage. He 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 and those members
OF the staff who accompanied him
down the lines this afternoon have
Yet returnedr'
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 I drew near
to permit Of my passage. The lower
hall was very comfortably filled with
figures moving hero 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 q few civilian suits,
and considerable number Of women.
some wearing the neat dress of the
army nurse. others much more elabo-
rately attired--daughters Of the neigh
borhood. probably. with q sprinkling
OF wives and sisters OF the soldiery.
Guards, leaning upon their muskets,
stood In statuesque poses on either
side OF the main entrance, 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-looking man of
forty. an infantry major, but wearing
staff decorations, and evidently Of
ficiating IN the capacity OF floor-man-
ager, after whispering a word In the
ear Of another Of the sane kind beside
the ballroom door, hastily pushed his
way through the laughing throng d.
rectly toward me.
"Good-evening, Colonel" he said,
bowing deeply. Your face is not
familiar to me. but you will permit me
to introduce myself-Major Monsoon.
OF General Sheridans staff"
I accepted the fat, shapeless hand
he extended. and pressed 1t warmly.
Il was Just meditating q retreat,
Major, when you appeared" replied
frankly. For l fear my face Is equal
ly unknown to all others present. In.
deed, / feel like q cat In a strange
garrett, and hesitated to appear at all.
My only excuse for doing so was a
promise made Colonel Culbertson
previous to his being ordered out on
duty. I 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 glowed
with welcome.
Extremely pleased to meet you, In
deed" he exclaimed eagerly, "and
you may be sure Of a cordial greet.
Ing. Will you kindly step this way?"
AS We slowly elbowed our way for
ward. all desire to escape from the
ordeal fled. and assumed the risks
of the masquerade with the reckless
audacity Of my years. Before We
reached the ballroom my conductor,
his fat countenance fairly beaming
with cordiality. had stopped at least
twenty times to present me to various
military titles, and had accepted In.
Vulnerable invitations without in the
least knowing who gave them, or
where they were 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-G General Carlton, chief of
staff.
For a moment. a. I responded to
the hearty cordiality OF his welcome,
i was enabled to take my first glance
at the ballroom. and found II to my
unaccustomed soldier eyes an inspir.
Ing spectacle. The room was magnifi.
Gently large.-a surprising apartment,
indeed. even In 40 superb a Southern
nome "a this had evidently been. and
its proportions were magnified by
numerous mirrors extending from
iloor TO ceiling, causing the more
d'stant dancers 10 appear circling in
space brilliantly illumined by means
OF hanging chandeliers that cscillated
shsntiy 10 the merry feet: decorated
lav'shiy everywhere with festooned
rags and tastefully arranged mum.
uons or war: gay with the dress uni
forms OF the men and the handsome
gowns OF the women. II composed n
scene so different from any had
looked upon IN years rs 10 hold me
fascinated The conatant oIa,,or ~,