Squatter sovereign., 1855-03-13

are mutual. Nay, unloose your arm
from my waist. have something more to
say"
Talk on forever ladys Your voice is
music to my heart and ears" a
Would You marry me, knowing no
more Of me than you now dos"
ayes, If you were to go to the very altar
masked.' ~ he replied.
"Then l viii test you."
GLOW lady 60
.For one year be faithful to the love you
have professed, and I will be your-as tru-
fy as Heaven shall spare my life"
80 cruel, cruel suspense p
"You demur''
..Nay, lady, / shall fulfil your injunc-
tions as I promised.
s'If at the expiration Of q year you do
not hear from me, then the contract shall
be null and void. Take this half ring, y
she continued, '.and when supply the
broken portion will be yours
He kissed the little emblem. swore again
and again to be faithful, and pressing her
hand to his lips, bade her adieu.
He was conducted away again as mys-
teriously as he had been brought thither,
nor could he by any possible means discoy-
er where he had been; his companion re-
| jecting all bribes, and refusing to answer
the simplest questions.
Months rolled on. Col. Merville istrue
to his VOW, and happy in the anticipation
Of love. Suddenly he was ordered on an
embassay to Vienna, that gayest of all
European capitals, about the time Napole-
on is planning to marry the Arch Duchess
Maria Louisa. The young Colonel is
handsome, manly, and already distinguish
ed in arms, and becomes at once a great
favorite 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
tender feelings for the white domino, had
doubtless made him more susceptible than
before. At last he met the young Baron
ess Caroline Waldorf, and In spite of his
vows she captivates him, and he severely
curses the engagement he had SO blindly
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 of honor was so
great, though he felt he really loved the
young Baroness, and even that she return
ed 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 repul-
sIye form In his Imagination, and becomes,
in place Of his good angel-his evil ge-
MUS
Well, the time rolls on; he is to return
in 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 same white
satin dress he had seen her wear year
before at the French Opera House In Pa
ris. Was it not fancy!
II come, Col. Eugene Merrille, 10 hold
you to your promise" laying hand lightly
upon. his ann.
lis this reality or dream?" asked the
amazed soldier
'Come follow me, and you shall see
that it is reality" continued the mask
pleasantly.
81 Will"
"Haye You been faithful to your prom
ise2" asked the domino, as they retired in
to neighboring saloon.
Most truly in act, but alas, I fear not in
heart"
Indeed
SIT 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 love2"
81 will be frank with you and you will
keep my secret!'
"Most religiously."
sit is the Baroness Won Waldorf" he
said, with a sigh.
"And you really love her2'
..Alas too dearly" said the soldier sad
ly.
Nevertheless, must hold you to your
promise; here is the other half of the ring;
can you produce its mater
.'Here IT is said Eugene Meryille.
"Then too keep my promise" said the
domino, raising her mask, and showing to
his astonished view the face of the Baron
ess Won Waldorff'?"
aAh, it was the sympathy of true love
that attracted me after all, exclaimed the
young soldier as he pressed her to his
heart.
She had seen and loved him for his
manly spirit, and having found by inquiry
that he was worthy of her love, she had
managed this delicate intrigue. and had tes-
ted him, and now gave him her wealth, ti-
tie and every thingz t-
They were married with great romp,
and accompanied the arch-duchess to Pa
us. Napoleon, to crown the happiness of
his favorite, made Col. Merrilie at once
General of a division
EB 1t is said the Treasury OF the State
OF Missouri at the close of the year, had
on hand the handsome surplus sum of about