Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-01-25

met her at the masked ball. To fall upon
his knees, and tell her how much be had
thought Of her since their separation, that his
thoughts had never LETT her, and that he bad
loved her devotedly, was as natural as to
breathe, and he did SO mos CALAMITY and
sincerely.
Shall believe all you say 7"
Lady, let me prove il W any test you
may put upon me-"
"Know, then. that the feelings you ayow
are mutual. Nay, unlooe your arm from my
waist, l have something more to say"
Talk on forever. ladr Your voice is
music to my heart and eE."
"Would you marry me, knowing no more
of me than you now do r.
Yes, if you were to 80 the very altar
masked!' he replied
"Then | will test you"
"How, lady?"
"For one year be faithful ID the love you
have protested, and ! will beyours-- as truly
as heaven shall spare my life
"lf at the expiration Of ear you do not
hear from me. then the contr,ct shall be null
and void. Take the half rim," she contin-
ued, land when | supply the broken portion,
will be yours
He kissed the little emblem, swore again
and again ito be faithful, and pressing her
hand to his lips, bade heradieu. lie was con-
Quoted away as mysteriously ~ be had been
brought thither, nor could he. by any possible
means, discover where hohad been; his COM
panion rejecting all bri5ess and even refusing
to answer the simplest questions.
Months rolled on. colcnel Melville is true
to his vow, and happy in the anticipation Of
love. Suddenly he was ordcredon an embassy
to Vienna, the gayest Of all thaEuropean cap
itols, about the time thataNapleon was plan
ing to marry TIE Arch Dutchss, Maria Lou
lisa. The young colonel is handsome, manly,
and already distinguished in arms, and be-
comes at once greet favoEissFas court, every
effort being 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 fac: that he had entertained such tender
feelings for the white domino, had doubtless
made him more susceptible than before.
At last be met the young baroness, Caro-
line Won Woldoff, and in spite of his VOWS,
she captivates him, aud be secretly curses the
engagement he had SO blindly made at Paris.
She seems to wonder at what appears to be
bis devotion; and yet the distance he main
tains The truth was, that bis sense of hon.
or was great, that though he felt be really
loved the young Baroness, and even that she
returned his affection. still be 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 bis imagination, and becomes in place Of
his good angel-his evil genius.
Well time rolls on; he is to return in few
days; it is once more the carnival season. aud
in Vienna, too, that gay city. He joins in
the festivities of the masked ball, and what
wonder fills bis brain. whsn, about the middle
of the evening, the white domino steals be-
fore him in the same white satin dress he hat
seen her wear year before. at the French
Opera House in Paris Was it not fancy
81 come Colonel Eugene Merville, to hole
you to your promise" she sale. laying her hant
lightly upon her arm.
as this reality or dream 7" asked th'
amazed soldier.
Come follow me, and you shall see tina
it is a reality" continued the mask, pleasant:
Ily.
II will"
Have you been faithful to your promise ?
asked the domino, as they retired into sa
loon.
"Most truly in act, but alas /! fear not il
heart"
Indeed !"
ut is too true, lady, that ! have seen an'
loved another, though my vow to you has KEEP
me from saying so to her."
"And who is this you thus love z
Il will be frank with you, and you vii
keep my secret?"
Most religiously."
at is the Baroness Won Woldof," he SAT-
with sigh.
"And you really love her."
"Alas only too dearly said tho soldier
sadly.