Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-05-09
EBENsBURG, MAY 8, 1866.
Were you ever in Italy before p
Once [ spent many months here p
Morell's cheeks flushed as he smoke.

( Iuoicfi . tueckS uaSued as ne spoke. l
Why do you stay here :" asked the un-
known suddenly. sHas the ball no attrac-
ton
There are none there care for, or who
care for me
f.Ycu are Particular, signor Can you not
laugh and d4nce with the rest, or do you really
prefer solitude p aee sa = sh II
Morell locked at the mask There was q
cold sarcasm in the last tone of voice, that
surprised him and he could see the passionate
eye bent full upon him. He was determined
to discover pko the lady was 81
VIII you be my partner p he asked. -
.' IF so. will join the dancers.e
ss i do not dance, but will walk with you
In the garden.
They strolled through the walks. and the
mask, who wore rich black satin domino,
attracted considerable attention
Who can she be 7'' asked young noble.
Of his companion g Her form is superb, and I
am sure her face must be correspondingly beau
tiful' - 'iafs saa ad hs
sss do not know, y was the answer, but
the count will tell you
The count did not know, however, and the
curiosity remained ungrati6ed. Meanwhile
Morell and his unknown companion entered
the conservatory, and the lady commenced ar
ranging the flowers in tasteful punches 8
8 You are used to arranging them,' ro-
marked Morell, and have an artistic eye to
their beauty and coloring
The mask stopped and looked at him in
tently. She was evidently thinking of some
thing far away, for she said abstractly.
:. Yes, / am, = at the same time dropping a
white rose from her hand
He stopped and picked itup. saying as he.
1t is withered."
The mask took it and replied,
- 1t is not the first rose that has withered
from neglect" 8a
/" Her tone was sad, but in a moment more
she added lightly" .sfss
Come, signor. to the ball ROOM"
There was strange fascination IN her man.
ner that Morell could not resist and ne followed
her to the interior Of the palace They enter
ed the room, and the lady said aa -.
:. must 60 now eass As
"You will allow me to accompany you a''
g No, go alone y -
"But may L not see you again p
g Yes Meet me at the ball room tomorrow
r--S-..-l- h--Ila..-sriaaSgr rru- Ine mask
scornfully You would like to see it think
Yes, Signior, but not to night. Adieu p and
she was gone before Morell, who was surprised
at her manner, could observe her departure
That night the young man told his friend
of his adventure and described the mask
ss I know her - he exclaimed when Morell
had finished speaking " It is the Countess
Maria, the widow of old Count Berteli. By
Jove! MoreH, you've made your fortune, if
she has fallen In love with you. She Is i'm
mensely rich and the most beautiful woman
in Italy You're lucky fellow; be sure aud
follow her round p saessss1sk sds
The next night Morell went to the ball
he waited q long time. but the mask did not
come He was about to go into the garden IN
search of her, when she stood by his side That
night the conversation took different turn
They talked of love, that fatal passion which
forms so largea part in the drama of italian
life, and of life anywhere. Morell shuned the
subject.
Do YOU not believe it p asked his COM
panion. :. Have you never loved 2'' e
Fss Not as you do" was the reply SO Our
English natures are different from yours -
g Then you have never. loved. never won
the love of a true heart aud repaid it with
your own a>l s.EA z aer Il hssis
- No." He turned aside to shun the gaze
which. be felt was bent upon him. : No my
life has been rowing one and Il am somewhat
fastidious. "saa 4ass slfd aaia5 i kstsass ~
How cold and cruel those words sounded.
Alas poor Florence Night after night the
unknown mask and Morell were together. at
the season balls. But they participated little
in the gaities attendant Morell was ever
listening to his mysteriouscompanion charmed
by the power he could not over come. Till at
at last he made passionate declaration of
love to her whose face he had not yet seen.