The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-12-22

he met her at the ball room. To fall up
on his knees and tell her how much he
had thought of her since their separation
that his thoughts had never left her, that
he loved her devotedly, was as natural as
to breathe, and be did so most gallantly
and sincerely.
Shall | believe all you say!
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. 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 do now!'
Yes, if you we're to 60 to the very al
tar maskedp he<repGed.
'Then I will test you'll
How, lady!'
For one year be faithful to the love
you have profcssed, and I will be yours
-as truly as Heaven shall spare my life. ;
'Oh! cruel suspensel
you demur.'
Nay, lady, I shall fulfil your injunc-
tons as | promised
If at the expiration of a year you do
not hear from me, then the contract shall
be null and void. Take this half ring
she continued, 'and when supply the
broken portion l will be yours
He kissed the little emblem, swore a.
gain and again to be faithful, and pres
sing 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 rejecting all
bribes, and even refusing to answer the
simplest questions.
Months rolled on. Col. Merville is
true to his vow, and happy at the antici-
patton of love. Suddenly he was ordered
to an embassy to Vienna, the gayest of
all European capitals, about the time that
Napoleon is planning to marry the Arch
Duchess Maria Louisa. The young col
onel is handsome, manly, and already
distinguished in arms, and becomes at
once great favorite at court, every eff
fort being made by the women to capti-
yate 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 d0hbtless made him more susceptible
than before.
At last he met the young baroness
Caroline Won Waldroff, and in spite Of
his VOWS, she captivates him, and he Sc
cretly curses the engagement he so blind
ly made at Paris. She seems to wonder
at what she believes to be his devotion
and yet the distance that he maintains
The truth was that his sense ofhonor was
SO great, that, though he felt he really
loved the young baroness, and even tha
she returned his affection, still he had
:. given his word and it was sacred.
i The satin domino is no longer the idea
of his heart, but assumed the most re
pulsive form in his Imagination, and be
comes in place of his good angel-his evi
genius!
!; Well, time rolls on, he is to return in
! few days; it is once more the carniva
season, and in Vienna, too, that gay city
He joins in the festivities of the maske'
ball, and what wonder fills his brain
} when about the middle of the evening tn
| white domino steals before him, in tn
same white satin dress he had seen he
wear a year before at the French Oper
House in Paris. Was it not fancy.
4 come, Colenel Eugene Merville, {
, hold you to your PROMISE she said, lay
q ing her hand lightly upon his arm.
, is this reality or dream!' asked tn
amazed soldier.
Come, follow me, and you shall Sc
that it is reality continued the mask
pleasantly,
e Il will
Have you been faithful to your prom
isel' asked the domino, as they retired i
saloon.
Most truly in act, but alas, fear nc
in heart
o sIudeedp
1t is too true, lady, that have see
and loved another, though my VOW to 20
has kept me from saying SO to her.
And who is this that you thus love!
i will be frank with you and you wi
keep my secret
Most religiously.'
1T is the Baroness Won Waldroff, !
said with sigh
}. sAnd Won really love herr