The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-05-04

one? How do you know that shall not turn
out veiled prophet Of KhOrassan!"
All, lady, your every word convinces me
to the contrary" replied the enraptured SOL
dier, whose heart began to feel as il had nev-
er done before he was already in love.
She eludes his efforts at discovery, but per-
mits him to hand her 10 the carriage, which
drives of in the darkness, and though he
throws himself upon his neetest horse, he is
unable to overtake her.
The young French Colonel becomes moody:
he has lost his heart, and knows not what to
do He wanders hither and tither, shuns his
former companions, and. in short, is miserable
as a loyor can be, thus disappointed. One
night, just after he had left his hotel, on foot
figure. mufied to the very eyes. stopped
him.
"Well, monsieur, what would you with
me ?" asked the soldier
"You would know the name Of the white
domino ?" was the reply.
"I would indeed" replied the officer, hasti-
ly, how can it be done ?"
Follow me"
"To rhe end Of the earth, if It will bring
me to her.
"But you must be blindfOldcd."
Very we'll"
"Step into this vehicle"
And away ratified the youthful soldier and
his strange companion. "This may be
trick" reasoned Eugene Merville. but /
have no fear Of personal violence. lam armed
with this trusty sabre, aud can take care Of
myself" But there was no cause for fear
since he soon found the vehicle stopped, and
he was led blindfolded into the house When
the bandage was removed from his eyes, he
found himself in a richly furnished boudoir.
and before him stood the domino, Just as he
met her at the masked ball To fall upon his
knees, and tell how much he had thought Of
her since their separation, that his thoughts
had never left her. and that he loved her de-
yotedly, was as natural as 10 breathe, and he
did so most calamity and sincerely.
"Shall believe all YOU say e.
Lady, let me prove it by any test you may
put upon me"
Know, then, that the feelings you ayow
are mutual. Nay, unlOose your arm from my
waist l 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 ~
YES, if you were 10 90 to the very altar
masked" he replied.
"Then I will test you"
How, lady ?"
For one year be faithful to the love you
have prosessed, and | will be yours-as truly
as Heaven shall spare my life.
eff at the expiration Of year you do not
hear from me, then the contract will be null
and void. Take this half ring" she contin-
ued' and when supply the broken portion
| will be yours"
He kissed the little emblem, swore again
and again to be faithful, and pressing her band
to his lips, bade her adieu. He was conduct
ed away as mysteriously as he had been
brought thithcr, nor could he, by any possible
means. discover where he had been, his COM
panlon rejecting all bribes, aud even refusing
TO answer the simplest questions.
Months rolled on. Colonel Merville is true
TO his VOWS, and happy in the anticipation Of
love. Suddenly he was ordered on an embas
sy 10 Vienna, the gayest Of all the European
capitals, about the time that Napoleon is plan
ming 10 marry the Arch Duchess, louisa Ma
ria. The young Colonel is handsome, manly,
and already distinguished in arms, and be-
comes at once a great favorite at court. every
effort being made to captiyate him, butin 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, Caro-.
line Won Woldof, and in spite Of his vows,
she captivates him, and he secretly curses the
engagement he had so blindly made at Paris.
She seems to wonder at what appears to be
his devotion; and yet the distance he main-
tainsl The truth was. that bis sense Of hon.
or was so great, that though he felt he really |
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 repulsive |
form in his imagination, and becomes in place
Of bis good angel-his evil genius
Well, time rolls on he is 10 return in a
few days; it is once more the Carnival sea-
son and in Vienna, too, that gay city. He
ioins the festivities Of the masked ball, and |
what wonder fills his brain. when, about the
middle Of the evening, the white satin dress
be had seen her wear a year before; at the
French Opera House in Paris Was it not
a fancy? -
al come, Col Eugene Merville, to hold
YOU to your promise" she said, laying her
hand lightly on his arm.
ais this reality or a dream?" asked the
amazed soldier.
"Come, follow me, and you shall see that
il is a reality, /" continued the mask, pleasantly
81 will
"Have you been faithful to you promise :"
asked the domino, as they retired intoa saloon.
Most truly in act. but alas. fear not
in heart"
Indeed"
1t is true, lady, that / have seen and
loved another, though my vow to you has
kept mo from saying so 10 her."
And who Ia this that vou TINS love ="