The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-09-11
"Shall | believe all YOU savn

y
avow are mutual. Nay, unloose your
arm from my waist, | have something
more to say"
"Talk on forever, lady! Your voice
is music to my heart and ears"
"Would you marry me, knowing no
more of me than you now do"
eyes, il you were to go to the very
altar maskedr' he replied.
"Then will test YOU
allow, ladyW
''For one year be faithful to the love
you have professet, and will be yours
as truly as Heaven shall spare my
life"
''If at the expiration OF year do not
hear from me, then the contract shall be
null and void. Take the half ring"
she continued, "and when supply the
broken portion, | will be yours"
He kissed the little emblem, swore
again and again TO be faithful, and press
ing her hand to his lips, babe her adieu
He was conducted away as myster ously
as he had been brought thither, nor could
he, by any possible means, discover
where he had been; his companion re-
ected all brides, and even refusing to
answer the simplest questions.
Months rolled on. Colonel Melville
is true to his VOW, and happy in the
anticipation Of love. Suddenly he was
ordered on an embassy to Vienna, the
gayest of all the European capitals, about
the time that Napoleon is planning to
marry the Arch Duchess, Maria Louisa.
The young colonel is handsome, manly
and already distinguished in arms, and
becomes at once great favorite at court,
every effort being made by the women
to captivate him, but in vain; he is con-
slant and true to his vow.
But his heart was not made of stone:
the very fact that he had entertained
such tender feelings for the white domi-
no, had, doubtless, made him more sus-
ceptihle than before.
At last he met the young Baroness
Caroline Won Woldoli, and IN spite OF
his vows, she captivates him, and he Sc.
crptlv curses the engagement he had SC
hlindIy made at Paris. She seems to
wonder at what appears to be his devo-
ton; and yet the distance he maintains!
The truth was, that his sense of honor
was so great. that though he felt he real.
I ly loved the Young Baroness, and even
that she returned his affection, still he
had given his word, and it was sacred.
The satin domino is no longer the ideal
Of his heart, but assumes the most repul-
sive form in his Imagination, and be-
comes in place of his good angeI-his
evil genius.
Well, time rolls on; he is to return in
a few days; it is once more the carnival
season, and in Vienna, too, that gay city
He joins in the festivities of the masked
ball, and what wonder fills his brain
when, about the middle of the evening,
the white domino steals before him in
the same white satin dress he had seen
her wear year before, at the French
Opera House in Paris. Was it not q
fancy!
81 come, Colonel Eugene Melville, tc
hold you to your PROMISE" she said
laying her hand lightly upon his arm.
SIS this reality or dream!" asked
the amazed soldier.
"Come, follow me, and you shall see
that it is reality" continued the mask
pleasantly.
81 will"
"Have you been faithful to your pro.
mise!' asked the domino, as they retir.
ed into a saloon.
"Most truly in act, but alas! fear not
in heart"
"lndeedw
at is too true, lady, that have seen
and loved another, though my VOW to
you has kept me from saying so to her"
"And who is this that you thus love!''
81 will be frank with you, and you
will keep my secret!"
Most religiously."
at is the Baroness Won Woldoff," he
said with sigh.
sand you really love her!"
"Alas! only too dearly" SAID the SOL
der, sadly
Nevertheless, must hold you to your
promise. Here is the other half of the
ring; can you produce its mate!'
"Here it is" said Eugene Melville.
"Then |, too, keep my PROMISE" said
the domino, raising her mask, and show
ing TO his astonished view the face of
the Baroness Woldof!
"Ah, it was the sympathy of true love
that attracted me, after ALT" exclaimed
the young soldier as he pressed her to
his heart. She Lad seen and loved him
for his manly spirit and character, ana
having found by inquiry that he was
worthy of her love, she had managed
this delicate intrigue, and had tested him,
and now gave to him her wealth, title,
and everything! They were married