The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-01-04

| foyer from which, in the adjoining
| hall, they could see the dancing feet
keeping excellent rhythm with the sax
ophoniSt, who was not always certain
if he were playing in two-four or three
| four time. Madeleine pirouetted
around on tiptoes, her eyes shining
with excitement.
The officer watched the pretty girl
admiringly The opening notes Of the
next number startled him from his gaze
and with guilty look Of having been
| caught he led her into the hall. And
az they glided smoothly over the pol
ished floor Madeleine uttered n silent
prayer of gratitude that the lieutenant
could dance so well, while It must be
admitted the lieutenant was trying the
twin task Of determining II the girl
could dance better than she was pretty.
''The closing strain Of "Good Night.
Ladies'" regretfully ordered them to the
checking room. and when he had es-
corted her to her hotel he asked per
mission to see her again. Certainly"
Madeleine agreed, and as the chimes
from the church near by sounded twice
she flew into the waiting section OF
the revolving door.
The next morning she awoke with
the premonition that something sur
priSingly pleasant would happen. And
by way of preparedness, her wardrobe
for the day was selected with scrupu-
lous care and Judgment. AS she en-
tered the dining room many an eye
approvingly took in her entire person.
stopping to linger at the clear color OF
her cheeks and the happy twist of her
lips. The light breakfast finished she
passed out onto the stone terrace, .anC
1t seemed sort Of accepted fact tc
find the lieutenant there.
Il thought you might like to go mo-
toring this morning" he explained.
land perhaps after dinner you may
care to visit the camp"
Madeleine decided that daylight did
not detract from the mans personality.
"Delightful." she answered; and de-
lightful ride it was. Out on the coun-
try road speed did not lessen his care
full driving Twelve o'clock brought
them to a hostelry in the valley, and
to his other attributes Madeleine add
ed the knowledge how to order an eX-
cellent dinner. On arrival at camp
the lieutenant, now in his own element,
became even more engaging, but ex-
perienced disappointment that this
most attractive girl should fail to find
any interest in the life and surround
ings which meant so much TO him.
But how was he to know that instead
of being novel experience 1t had been
her daily program for two weeks past?
He racked his brain for an idea TO
arouse her tagging interest.
"Ill have my company drill with
rifles" he suggested, you'll like that"
AS they proceeded down the COM
pany street Madeleine recognized IA
miliar figure coming toward them
Hello, SIS" Ralph called out. slid
ing his arm through hers as he saluted
the officer. "Where did you meet Lieu
tenant Roberts?'
Lieutenant Roberts" Madeleine ex-
claimed in dazed manner. Certain
ly not your Lieutenant Roberts?'
"And don't you like his Lieutenant
Roberts?" the lieutenant smilingly and
wonderingly asked.
when sis learned I couldn't come
home on a furlough," Ralph explain
ed, "she wrote she hated even the
name of Roberts"
Hush, Ralph" Madeleine whispered.
holding up a warning finger against
her pretty mouth.
And then Ralph did very unmili-
tary thing He saluted his superior
officer and deliberately winked. And
although it is not on record, 1t is very
possible that as he made an about
face, he marched off with big grin
spread from ear to ear.
"Do you think" the lieutenant
asked, as his eyes eloquentiy pleaded
his cause, "that Mrs. Roberts sounds
like very bad manner"
Medicines laugh gurgled from her
throat for JOY. "On the contrary" she
answered looking up archly at the
straight inquire, peileNe sAaAi Ahu
it very much to my liking"
The lieutenant glanced down the
company street and saw his men stand
ing rigidly at attention, their spotless
rifles glistening in the MONDAY sun.
Sergeant" he called out, trying hard
to conceal the happiness In his voice,
"thereIl be no drill today. Dismiss the
company"