The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-24

When II ialiS upon the ear.vIbrateS al ing
every nerve until it reaches the heart
strings, where it echoes and re e.echoes,
till Memory ''caiches the tune" and
too truly for il ever TO pass from her
grasp. Peg Hi'
] followed the strangers invita- lion (;
a. d as | gazed on the fairy form which
fitted before me, forgot my little in
valid at home The s.maSk" was but
little if any larger than my wife; vet
there was a fulIness and elegance Of fig
urge,a grace and voluptuousness ofmo-
ton in the former, which had never
observed in the latter. M, wife had
beautifully soft, glossy curls Of jet, but
they could never compare with the
black tresses of twining silk which hung
nearly 10 the feet of my strange charm.
er. When we had got clear ofIhe throng.
she again spoke: aHo
"Are you gentleman?-- one on
whom lady may in all honor dependw
! answered, thar to the best of nv
knowledge aud belief was, land thought
might be depended upon. g
Would you risk YOUR own life, or
destroy that of another,for lady.if her
honor required, and her love would re-
ward tie act?" ~
"For one so fair, SO angelic as YOUR
self, | would risk more than Iife!''
A shudder seemed to pass through
her form; her little feet Stamped the tes-
selated floor impatientiy; her fingers
were cIasped together until they were
bloodless, as she continued:
"Have YOU ever Ioved?' ..r. .
81 may have felt a school-boy's pas
sion," replied, with assumed indifIer-
ence.
"Then you are not marriedH'
81 have been,'' was my reply. Even
so deceitful is man; even so is woman
often lost; for while he p"urs forth his
flattering tale, she listens; listening, she
Ioves-loving, she is lost.
Again she showed marks of impa-
tience and excitement, as if some great
trouble rested on her mind. This
pressed her to reveal to me, offering
every aid in my power TO defend her,or
even to avenge past wrong. besought
her to have confidence in my affection.
new-fedged though it was, and to test
its strength, even as she might direct.
She faltered, hesitated for a moment,
and then, requesting me to await her
return, hastily left the ballroom.
"Now," thought !. "here is a scrape
for sober married man to get into!-
Perhaps she may be some beautiful sy-
rem, who has laid n trap to invelgle and
rob, and parhaps 10 murder me! Shall
| await her return?--or shall fly the
danger? But am armed-why should
fear?" rl
| began also to think of my poor in
valid wife; and these thoughts, coupled
with my fear Of betrayal. by the aid Of
IL little more solitude, would have con-
quered me, and sent me home; but at
this critical moment, the '.mask" retur-
ned, bearing in her hands heavy
black veil. She beckoned me to follow
her into nelghboring street. where, in
II moment, we stood beside a close-cur-
tanned volante, into which she sprang.
following her. She Immediately en-
veloped my head in the veil which she
had brought, cautioning me on my life
not to attempt to remove it, unless at
her request. .f...
The carriage started off with speed;
ind aed, the driver seemed to be urging
his horses to rapid gallop. Our road
was long; for even at this speed we
must have ridden for two hours, some
Of the time over rough, rocky roads,and
then along smoother ways, when at
last the painting animals were brought
to stand. ~
Immediately thereafter heard crea-
king noise, as ii a port-cuIlis were sud-
denly raised, or some old gate swung
back on its unoiled hinges. as lis.
"Speak not word, whatever you
may hear; attempt not to raise the veil.
or our life and mine may be the for
ieit!' whispered my fair guide; and
while she spoke felt that she trembled
from head to foot. Her hand was cold
as ice, and her impetuous voice slifed
and husky. Before we advanced from
the carriage, she also made me VOW by
all the saints in Heaven never to reveal
what might do or see in that nights
adventure. lBslA ..l5a
She then led me cautiously on,appa-
rently through large garden, for the
cool night-breeze bore the perfume Of
orange, citron, pink, lemon and spice
blossoms TO my cheek. We soon arri-
we'd atanotherdoor, which creaked rus
tily as it opened before us; and then our
way seemed up winding stone stair
case, through a passage so still, so SOL