The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-08-12
THE CAVALRY OFFICER.

IHE CAVhLh1 VE L INA-Al'
Colonel Eugene Mcr ILL: WIS IN a''ar'r
of Napo!ron's staff. H. WAS s'''"'"r III
the true sense OF the word devoted I"
his r,oc, ssiun, and brave AS Il lion. Though
very handsome. and Of fine t'"al,'.. he WAS
of hunhl. birlh-a turr. ch'iI OF tI'c
camp, ani had followed tn" dram and bn'
c!c t,om bnviuol Every step in the line
of promotion hal been Won lv Ii" $'r""c
Of his sabre; an! his promotion from ma
ior of cavalry WAS for Il gallant .!"ca which
tranSpire,l on the battle field beneath the
emperor's own eye. Mnrat, the Prince OF
Cavalry officers, lowed him Ike hro'hrr
and taught him all that his own good taste
and natural Instinct l;ui not led him to ac-
guire before.
1t was the carnival season in l'a,is. and
Young Merrill. found himself at the masked
ball in the French Opera House. Better
s.lap,e,l in lis taste 10 Tie fir.I than The
hnnIoir, he tlir;s but li.'l- with "ev figures
that cover the floor and joins but seldom III
the gildy waltz. But AZ las, while s'an'li!'-
thoughlfullv, and recar'!in" the assembled
thronc with II vacant eve. his attention was
aroused by The appearance Of person in II
white satin domino, the universal e!eganc"
Of whose figure, manner and bearing con-
vinced all that her face and mind must be
equal to her person in grace and l"velneSs.
Though in so mixed an assembly, still
there was dignity and reserve in the man
ner Of the white domino that rather re-
pulsed the idea OF familiar address, and it
was some time before the yonng soldier
found courage to speak to her.
Some alarm being given, there was a vio-
lent rush at the throug towards the door.
where, unless assisted, the lady would have
materially suffered, Eugene Mervil'e offers
his arm, and with his broad shoulders and
stout frame wards off the danger. 1t was
delightful moment; the lady spoke the
purest French, and was witty, fanciful and
captivating.
"Ah! lady, pray raise that mask, and re-
veal to me the charms Of feature that must
accompany so sweet voice and so grace
full a form as you possess"
"You would, perhaps, he disappointed"
mo, I am sure not"
iAre you so contidcnt?"
''Yes, feel that you are beautiful. 1t
cannot be otherwise"
"Don't be sure Of that" said the domino.
'aIave you never heard Of the Irish Poet
Moore's story of the veiled, prophet Of Kho-
rassan-how when he disclosed his counte-
nance, its hideous aspect killed bis beloved
one? How do you know that ! shall not
turn out yelled prophet Of Khorassan e.
"Ab, lady, your every word convinces
meto the contrary,' replied the enraptured
soldier, whose heart began to feel as it had
never felt before; he was already in love.
She eludes his efforts at discovery; per-
mits him to hand her to her carriage which
drives off in the darkness, and though he
throws himself upon bis fleetest horse he is
unable to overtake her.
The young French colonel becomes
moody; he has lost his heart and knows
not what to do. He wanders hither and
thither, shuns bis former places Of amuse-
ment, avoids his military companions, and
in short, is as miserable as a lover can be,
thus disappointed. One night, just after
he bad. left bis hotel on foot, figure muf:
fled to the ears, stopped him.
"Well, monsieur, what would you with
me3" asked the soldier.
.e,fAYou woald know the name of the white
vdoninoa" was the reply.
II would indeed !" replied the officer
hastily. aHow can it be doneP