families in this neighborhood than we find usually. At least their
loyalty is quite apparent while, we remain. Then the General Hospital
nurses are not especially busy,--no battle lately, you know,--and there
are some deuced pretty girls among them. Ballroom looks nice, don't you
think?"

"Extremely well; the decorations are in most excellent taste."

"Entirely the work of the staff. Great pity so many were compelled to
be absent, but a soldier can never tell. Here upon special duty,
Colonel?"

"I brought despatches from the President to General Sheridan."

"Wish you might remain with us permanently. Your command, I believe, is
not connected with our Eastern army?"

"No, with Thomas in the Cumberland."

"Ah, yes; had some very pretty fighting out there, I understand--oh,
pardon me, Miss Minor, permit me to present to you Colonel Curran, of
General Halleck's staff. The Colonel, I believe, is as able a dancer as
he is a soldier, and no higher compliment to his abilities could
possibly be paid. Miss Minor, Colonel, is a native Virginian, who is
present under protest, hoping doubtless to capture some young officer,
and thus weaken the enemy."

I bowed pleasantly to the bright-eyed young woman facing me, and not
sorry to escape the Major's inquisitiveness, at once begged for the
remainder of the waltz. The request was laughingly granted, and in