Evening star., 1928-04-20


Of long ago..
am in despair! am i'll and in bed.
I shall never dance the quadrille again
anything but that. 1t is very dread
ful---something terrible, such as you
never read of in books.
The Hungarian troops marched
through our city after q big battle, and
there was panic and confusion at the
news of their approach. Every one
seemed to think they might set fire to
the town. and pillage 1t and kill us all.
NV mother said that there was no
knowing what horrors the soldiers would
commit. She told me to scratch my face
and disfgure myself If thought they
were going to carry me off. Did you
ever hear of such thing?
Long before the National Guards
marched in with their bands playing.
my father had gone to arrange to meet
them with a deputation. Our servants
all ran out to see the soldiers march
in, and / could not find my mother
anywhere. She had been looking for
hours to find a place to hide, and every
time / found her she resented 1t. So
this time l left her.
Being alone. 1t occurred to me to set
the table with all sorts of good things
to eat and drink, so that the soldiers
would at least not eat me. determined,
also, to give them without resistance
anything they asked for, and let them
see that I was not afraid of them, Then
sat down to await with resignation
what l expected would be cries for help
In the streets.
Finally l heard spurred footsteps and
clinking swords echo along the hall.
There was no swearing or harShneSs.
On the contrary. a very polite double
knock came at the door. In my excite
ment. however, could make no answer
But they did not break down the door.
Instead. they knocked again, and this
time said: Come in"
Iexpected ! almost any sort OF monster.
but imagine my surprise when saw
two young officers walk in--one fair and
the other dark. but very very well
dressed and Just like other people.
First they begged pardon for any
inconvenience they might cause. and
then, smiling at the food had placed
for them. asked only for place to
sleen. I showed them the best room
in the house where I left them. Sud-
denly there were cries for help. and
what do you suppose? My mother had
concealed herself under one of the mat
treSseSl Later. I explained to the off,
GERS that she had rheumatism and that
was her way of getting a Sweat-bath.
But the poor men had hardly fallen
asleep when an orderly came for them.
protested. but the man went right in
and woke them up They were wanted
by the major and they did not seem at
all put out, but went directly. How
strange this military life must bel How
people can submit without the least re-
sistance! should be very bad soldier,
indeed. for I always like to know be-
forehand why am ordered to do a
thing.
Soon the officers returned. to tell us
that there was to be military ball
that evening. to which we we're invited.
They immediately asked me for several
dances. and naturally promised every
thing. Mother made every objection
she could think OF, but I brushed them
ell aside.
"You foolish child" she said anerily.
ITO rush openly in the face OF danger,
and ruin yourself Intentionally"
When all was ready the officers
accompanied us to the ballroom. / was
already enjoying the idea of the effect
which my national ribbon on my dress,
and our two beanx would produce But
great was my mistake There was not
one OF nv girl companions who had not
at least twice as much national ribbon
on her dress as / had. and as 10 the
officers. our two cavaliers held but the
third rank among them None WAS
more agreeable more fascinating hand
somer. livelier than the other How was
II possible that men like these can shed
so much bloodl
There was one In particular who at
tracted my attention--not mine alone.
but everybody's. He was a young cap
tain---hig strikingly handsome face and
tall. graceful figure became him so well
that he was like young god. And
then. his dAncingl One could have
rushed through the crowd TO embrace
hin1--I do not talk of myself. Then
there was know not what in his large.
dark. dreamy eyes. You cannot imagine
thatl II is not TO he described--it be-
wildered. inspired. overpowered. and en-
chanted at the same moment. In less
than an hour every girl In the room was