Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-10-19

fore him stood the domino just as he had met
her at the masked ball To fall upon 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 devoted
| ly, was as natural as to breathe, and he did
50 most gallantly and sincerely
Shall 1 believe all you say?' p
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 mu-
sic to my heart and ears"
Would you marry me, knowing no more
of me than you now do y
Yes, if you were to go to the very altar
maskedr' he replied.
Then I will test you,'
How, lady ?"
For ore year be faithful to the love you
have professed, and will be yours as truly
as Heaven shall spare my life"
30 cruel, cruel suspense"
you demur p
.-Nay, lady, I shall fulfil your njunctions
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 con-
tinued, ''and when I supply the broken por-
ton viii be yours
He kissed the little emblem,. swore again
and again TO be faithful and pressing her
hand to his lips, babe her adieu. He was
conducted again 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 roll on. Colonel Merville is true
! TO his VOW, and happy in the anticipation Of
love Suddenly he was ordered on an en-
/. bassy to Vienna, that gayeet of all European
capitals, about the time that Napoleon is plan
ming to marry the Arch-duchess Maria Loui-
sa. The young colonel is handsome, manly,
and already distinguished in arms, and be-
comes at once great fayorite at 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 fact that he had entertained such feel
ings for the, white domino. had doubtless
made him more susceptible than before. At
last he met the young Baroness Caroline Wal
dorff, and in spite of his vows she captivatcs
him, and he secretly curses the engagement
he had so blindly made at Paris She seems
to wonder at what she believes to be his de-
votion, and yet.the distance that he main
tains The truth was, that his sense OF honor
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 was no longer the ideal
of his heart, but assumes the most repulsive
form in his imagination, and becomes, in
place of his good angel-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 white satin dress he had seen hel
wear year before at the French Opera House
! in Paris. Was it not fancy =
Il come, Colonel Eugene Merville to hold
you to your promise" she said, laying hand
! lightly upon his arm.
sis this reality or a dream p asked the
amazed soldier.
.'Come, follow me, and you shall see that
it is reality,' continued the mask, pleasantly.
81 will"
..Havc you been faithful to your promise?'
asked the domino, as they retired into a
/ neighboring saloon.
s'NIost truly in act, but alas, fear not in
/ heartr'
Indeed"
''It 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?'
II will be frank with you, and you will
keep my secret p
'.SIost religiously T"
s.It is the Baroness Won Waldorf he
said, with a sigh.
''And you really love her y
''Alas only too dearly" said the soldier
sadly
:'Neyertheless, I must hold you to YOU