Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-11-03

Lady, let me prove it by any test you
may put upon me-"
Know, then. that the feelings you
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 90
90 Yes, if you were to go to the very al
tar masked p replied he.
Then 1 will test you"
How, lady ?"
"For one year, to be faithful to the
love you have professed, and 1 will be
yours, rs truly as Heaven shall spare my
life
90, cruel suspense p'
You demur %
may. lady, shall fulfill your injunc-
tions, as promised"
elf at the expiration of year, you do
not hear from me, then the contract shall
be null and void. Take this half ring"
she continued, "and when l supply the
broken portion, then l will be yours
He kissed the little emblem, swore again
and again to be faithful, and pressing her
hand to his lips, bade her adieu. He was
conducted away as mysteriously as he had
been brought thither, nor could he by any
possible means discover where he had
been his companion refusing all bribes,
and even refusing to answer the simplest
question.
Months rolled on. Colonel Merville is
true to his VOW, and happy in the antici
patton of love. Suddenly he was ordered
on mission to Vienna, the gayest of all
the European capitols, about the time Ma
poleon is planning to marry the Arch
Duchess Maria Louisa. The young colo
mel, is handsome, manly. and already dis
in arms, and becomes at once
a great favorite at court, every effort be-
ing made by the women to captivate him.
but in vain he is constant 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 domino, had
doubtless made him more susceptible than
before.
At last he met the young baroness Car
oline Won WaIdrof, and in spite of his
VOWS, she captivates him and he secretly
curses the engagement he had so blindly
/
what she believes his devotion, and yet
the distance he maintains. The truth was
that his sense of honor was SO great, that
though he felt he loved the Young baro-
ness, and even that she returned his sf-
fection, 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 becomes
in place of his good angel-his evil ge-
nIns.
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 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 white sa
tin dress he had seen her wear year be-
fore in the French opers-house in Paris.
Was it not fantasy?
81 come, Colonel Eugene Mcrville, to
hold you to your promise" she said, lay
ing her hand lightly upon his arm.
Is this reality or dream % asked
the amazed soldier.
"Come, follow me, and you shall see
that it is reality" continued the mask
pleasantly.
q will"
Have you been faithful to your pro
mise - asked the domino as they retired
into y saloon.
Most truly in act; but, alas, fear
not in heart"
Indeed"
1T 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 that you thus love %
"I will be frank with you, and you will
keep my secret ?"
Most religiously."
at is the Baroness Won Waldroff," he
said with sigh.
''And you love her ?'
ALIAS !" only too dearly" said the
soldier sadly.
Nevertheless, must hold you to your
promise. Here is the other half of the
ring; can YOU produce its mate ?''
= Here it isl said Merville.
"Then 1, too, keep my promise" said
the domino, raising her mask, and show
iup to his astonished view the face OF the
Baroness Won Waldroff!
" All, it was the sympathy of true love
that attracted me, after all, exclaimed
the young soldier, as he pressed her to his
heart.
She had seen and loved him for his
manly spirit and character, and having
found by inquiry that he was worthy OF
her love, she had managed this delicate
intrigue, and had tested him, and now
gave him her wealth. title and everything.
They were married with great pomp,
and accompanied the arch duchess to Ps.
ris. Napoleon. to crown the happiness OF
his favorite, made him at once General OF
Division