Squatter sovereign., 1855-03-13
THE
CAVALRY OFFICER,
THE WHITE SATIN DoHIINo.
By L1ErrEsANr MURRAY.

By LIEUTENANT MURRAY.
The period of Napoleon's career, when
at its zenith, is full of romantic adventures
as connected with the history of the Off
GERS lives that served under the great cap
tain. He was quick to observe merit and
prompt to reward it, and this it was that
made his followers so devoted to him, and
SO anxious TO distinguish themselves by
prowess in battle, and strict soldierly con-
duct IN the Emperor's service.
Colonel Eugene Merville was an attache
of Napoleon's staff. He was soldier in
profession, and brave as lion. Though
very handsome, and of fine bearing, he
was of humble birth-a mere child Of the
camp, and had followed the drum and bu-
gle from boyhood.. Every step in the line
of promotion had been won by the stroke
of his sabre; and his fast promotion from
ma jor of cavalry was for a gallant deed
which transpired on the battle field beneath
the Emperor's own eye. Murat, that
prince of cavalry officers. loved him as
brother, and taught him all that his own
good taste and natural instinct had not led
hun to acquire before.
1t was the carnival season in Paris, and
young Merville found himself at the mask
ed ball in the French Opera House Bet
ter adapted in his taste to the field than the
boudoir, he firts but little with the gay fig
ures that cover the floor, and joins but L..
in the giddy waltz. But at last, while
standing thoughtfully, and regarding the
assembled throng with vacant eye, his
attention was suddenly aroused by the ap-
pearance of person In white satin dom
ino, the universal elegance of whose figure,
manner and bearing, convinced all that her
face and mind must be equal to her person
in grace and loneliness
Though in so mixed an assembly, still
there was dignity and reserve in the man.
ner of the white domino that rather repuls-
ed the idea of familiar address. and it
was sometime before the young soldier
found courage to speak to her. Some
alarm being given, there was violent
rush of the throng towards the door, where,
unless assisted, the lady would have mate
rally suffered. Eugene Mervill offers his
arm, and with his broad shoulders and
stout frame wards off the danger 1t was
a delightful moment; the lady spoke the
purest French; was witty, fanciful and cap
tivating.
'Ah, lady, pray raise that mask, and
reveal to me the charms of feature that
must accompany SO sweet voice and SO
graceful form as you possess
"You would perhaps be disappointed"
"No, am sure not"
care you confident?"
eyes. l feel that you are beautiful
1t cannot be otherwise"
Don't be too sure of that" said the dom
ino. "Have you never heard Of the Irish
poet Moore's story of the veiled prophet
Khorassan-how. when he disclosed his
countenance, its hideous aspect killed his
beloved one?-How do you know that /
shall not turn out yelled prophet of
Khorassan2"
"Ah, lady, your every word convinces
soldier, whose heart began to feel as it
had never felt before-he was already in
love.
She eludes his efforts at discovery, but
permitted him to hand her to her carriage,
which drives off in the darkness, and
though he throws himself upon his feetest
horse, he is unable to orertake her.
The young colonel becomes moody; he
has lost his heart; and knows not what to
do He wanders hither and thither, shuns
his former places of amusement, avoids
his military companions; and in short is as
miserable as lover can well be, thus dis
appointed. One night just after he had
left his hotel, on foot, a figure muffled to
the very ears stopped him.
"Well, monsieur, what would you with
me7" asked the soldier. -
You would know the name Of the white
domino?" was the reply.
81 would indeed!'' replied the officer has
tily. elbow can it be done?"
"Follow me-"
'To the end of the earth if it viii bring
me to her.''
s.But You must be blindfolded."
"Very well"
"Step into this vehicle"
81 am at your command.
And away ratified the young soldier and
his strange companion.
sThis may be a trick" reasoned Eu-
gene Merville, s.but / have no fear of per-
sonal violence am armed with this
trusty sabre, and can take care of my
sell"
But there was no cause for fear, since he
soon found the vehicle had stopped, and he
was led blindfoIded into the house. When
the bandage was removed from his eyes he
found himself In richly furnished boudoir,
and before 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 devotedly, was as natural as
TO breathe, and did so most gallantiy and
sincerely.
"Shall ] believe all you say2"
Lady, let me prove it by any tess you
may put upon Inc"
..R.,1.,. To-, .Lx.t IL. fe.ol;n.s.-en, .--nz