ll right, and that
if she missed Benjie it harmed no one, and if she happened to kill him
it would be only what he deserved. Annie's the best cook in the Army,
and the Colonel knows it. Aren't you, Annie?"

"Ef I could only shoot as good as I ken cook," remarked Annie, "it would
be a powerful sight o' res' to my soul. I shorely will git that nigger
yet."

"Of course you will," said Kitty. "Just wait till to-morrow morning,
Annie, and when he starts around in the yard, you take a rest over the
window sill. You see," she resumed to me, "we try to do everything in
the world to keep our servants happy and comfortable, Mr. Cowles.

"But now, as to you, sir, it is time you were getting ready for the
serious business of the evening. Go into Matt's room, there, and Johnson
will bring you your disguise."

So finally I got into Captain Stevenson's uniform, which I did not
dislike, although the coat was a trifle tight across the back. At the
domino mask they fetched I hesitated, for anything like mummery of this
sort was always repugnant to me. Not to comply with the order of the
day, however, would now have made me seem rather churlish, so presently,
although with mental reservations, I placed myself in the hands of my
hostess, who joined me in full ball costume, mask and all.

"You may know me," said Kitty, "by the pink flowers on my gown. They're
printed on the silk, I suspect. When Matt and I are a major, we'll have
them hand embroidered; but a captain's pay day doesn't come half often
enough for real hand embroidery."

"I should know you anywhere, Mrs. Kitty," I said. "But now as to this
Ellen? How shall I know _her_?"

"You will not know her at all."

"Couldn't you tell me something of how she will look?"

"No, I've not the slightest idea. Ellen doesn't repeat herself. There'll
be a row of a dozen beauties, the most dangerous girls in all St. Louis.
You shall meet them all, and have your guess as to which is Ellen."

"And shall I never know, in all the world?"

"Never in all the world. But grieve not. To-night joy is to be
unconfined, and there is no to-morrow."

"And one may make mad love to any?"

"To any whom one madly loves, of course; not to twelve at once. But we
must go. See, isn't it fine?"

Indeed the scene on Parade was now gayer than ever. Laughter and chatter
came from the crowded galleries all about the square, whose houses
seemed literally full to overflowing. Music mingled with the sound of
m