The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-10-13

rassan?"
"Ah, lady, your every word convin'
ces me to the contrary replied the
enraptured soldier, whose heart began
to feel as it had not felt before he
was already in love.
She eluded his efforts at discovery;
but permits him to hand her to her
carriage, which drives of in the dark
ness, and though he throws himself
upo' his heetest horse, he is unable to
overtakc her.
The young French colonel becomes
moody, he has lost his heart and knows
not how to do. He wanders hither
and thither, shuns his lormcr places of
amusement, avoids his military COM
panions. and in short, is as miserable
as a lover well can be, thus disap.
pointed. One night just after he had
left his hotel, on foot, a figure muilled
to the very ears stopped "im.
"WeIl, monsieur, what ouId you
with me-" asked the soldier.
"You would know the name of the
white dominoc," was the reply.
81 would, indeed replied the officer
hastily. "Ilow can it be done!"
Follow me-"
"To the end Of the earth if it will
bring me to her"
"But you must be blindiolded."
"Very we'll"
"Step into this vehicle"
81 am at your command"
And away ratIled the young soldier
and his STRANGE companion. This
may be u trick reaS oned Eugene
McrviIlc, "but | have no fear of per-
sonal violence. Lam armed with this
truSty sabre, and can take care of my
SELF"
But there was no cause for fear
since he soon found the vehicle stop
ped, and he was led bllndfolded into
the house. When the bandage was
removed from his eyes, he found him
self in richly furnished boudoir, and
before him stood the dominoe, just as
he had met her at the masked ball.
To fall upon his knees, and tell her
how much he thought of her since
their separation, that his lhoug hts
had never left her devoledIy, was as
natural as to bre the, and he did so
most gallantly and sincerely.
"ShaIl believe all you say"
Let me prove it by any test you
may put upon me-"
"Know, then, the feelings you avow
are mutual. Nay, unIoosc your arm
from my waist, | have something more
to say
"Talk on forever, lady. Your voice
is music in my ears"
"WouId you marry ne, knowing no
more of me than you o."
"lt' you were to go to the alter mas
kcd," he replied.
"Thcn will test you.'
"Ilow, lady"
"F'or one year be faithful to the
love you have proiesscd, and will be
yours--as truly as heaven shall spare
my life"
20, cruel, cruel suspense"
"You demur."
NAY, lady, shall fulfil your injunc
tons as promised"
IF, at the expiration of a year, YOU
do not hear from me, then the con
tract shall be null and void. Take
this half ring, she continued, and
when supply the broken portion, |
will he yours
He kissed the little emblem. swOrc
again and again to be faithful, and
pre- ssing her hand to his lips, badc her
adieu. lie was conducted away
again as mystfriously as he had been
brought thither, nor could he by any
possible means discover where he had
been; his companion rejecting all
bribes, and even refusing to answer
the simplest question.
Months roll on. Colonel Mervile
is true to his vow; and happy in the
anticipation of love. Suddenly he was
orUered to an embassy to Vienna, the
gayest Of all the European capitals
about the time that Napoleon is plan
ming to marry the Arch Duchess Ma
ria Louisa. The young colonel i,
handsome, manly, and already dis,in
gushed in arms and becomes at onct
a great favorite at court every eitor
being made by the women to cap,i
vate 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 en-
tertained such tender feelings Tor the
white dominoe. has doubtless made
| him more susceDtible than before.