The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-10-09
No. %,

ings We're partly unravelled by histell-
ing that they were that MS to eXp pectY
the Earl OF Ormisda,e; he moreover
presented her with mask, and intorm-s
ed her that he had ven orders that
each OF his guests should put on a visor. i,
before they entered the ball room, Bf.a
ter they left the banqueting ball, and
that he had done this for her sake, tliatt
the eye OF curiosity should not read in
her features what was passing in her
mind when she first met her bethroth-
led. 1t was in vain that the afflicted;
Lady Isabel plead most movingly for
a more private meeting, for her father
was deaf to her entreaties, while he
affirmed that his precantion ofthe yis-
or would do away all objections, and
was SO peremptory in the matter, that's
as usual, she acquiescrd. How sore
averse was she however to meet theman
she was sure that che could never love !;
and many were thc tears she shed, and
many the resolves she made to retract
all her promises and live and die in
solitude. But then she bethought her
poor old father-of his tender though
mistaken love--of the few remaining
years of his life embittered by disap-
pointment--and his death probably
hurried on through her means. All
this was too much when laid on the ba-
lance with her own happiness, and she
still sustained the character of q duti-,
tul daughter, by heroicalIy determir-,
ing to sacrifice all seltishness at the al
tar of tilial dutr and affection.
| But thougl this was her ultimate re-
solve, we need not be surprised that
when dccked in her splendid attire,
and presiding in the gorgeous banquet
ing hall of her father, she looked and
felt as if assisting at a funeral feast, and
that she even then would have been the
better OF the visor to prevent Inally;eon-
lectures oil What her saddened looks
might mean. But the time for assum-g
ing the maSk arrived and the MOBILES of
The land, with their naughty danes,
and many n knight, and many a dam
sci fair, bedight IN silk and cloth of
gold, and blazingi jewels, graeed the
tapestied ball room, on which a flood
of brilliant light was poured from lamp
tand torch. And each in Joyous mood.
cheered by the merry nrinstrels, and by
the sound of harp and viol, impatient
! " awaited the commencement Of
the dance, when they were informed
that it was stayed for an expected and /,
honorable guest. And now again GU
riosity was at its height, But present.
ly there was q flourish of the music,
and cry of the ushers to make way
for the noble Earl of Omnisdale; aEds
the large doors at the foot OF the halls
were flung wide oren, and the gallant
young earl, masked, and attended by p
a trainof chosen friends, advanced a.
mid murmurs cf admiration TO the
middle Of the hall.
I Here they were met and welcomed
by the baron, who led the earl to. his,
daughter, and having presented Mmto
her, the guests were presently gratiti,
ed by seeing the gallant young noble
man take the hand of Lady Isabel, and
lead her ont TO dance.
When the dance Was finished her
father told her that she must presently
prepare to keep her word, as this hlsst
be her bridal night for that purpose
a'one was that high wassail kept. Her. /,
loyer,H too, no way dauntcd by his
knowledge of le. heart, pressed on his
suit to have it so. And onow was the
despairing damscl almost beside herself,
when her father, announcing aloud his
purpose to the astonished guests, call
ed for the priest, and caused al to nm
mask. But in what words shall we
paint the surprise, the delight, of the
Lady Isabel, when the earl's mask was
removed, and she behold in him her
much loved Rodcrick, who, his censin
being dead, was now the Earl OF or-s
misdale!
The stately castle and its reveis, the
proud baron and his pomp, the beat
teous bride and her children's children
have now all passed away into oblivion,
save this slight record, which has only
been preserved in remembrance Of the
daughters virtue, who preferred her
fathers happiness to her own.
/ A chaplain was once preaching to q
class Of collegians about the formation
of habits. "Geutieman," said he.
"close your ears against bGd discour-