Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-08-05
The Cavalry Officer

devoted to his profession and brave as a lion rm
very handsome and OF line bearing he was of bnmSI
drum and bugle from boyhood Every stem in +o the
of promotion had been by the stroke of his ot
and his promotion from major of cavalry was for
liant deed which transpred the battle field beneoo4
the Emperors own eye. Murat the Prince of Caviar
Offers, loved him like brother and taught him all I
his good taste and natural instinct had not led b
to acquire before.
It was the carnival season in Paris, and youno A..
vile found himself at the masked ball in the Fron
Opera House. Better adapted in his taste to tn fI5
than the boudor, he frts but little with the CAV fo
that cover the floor, and joins but seldom in the 15
waltz. But at last, while standing thoughtfuly "n5
regarding the assembled throng with vacant eve his %
tention was suddenly aroused by the appearance NJ
person in white satin dominoe the universal eIeoon
of whose figure, and bearing convinced ali thai
her face and mind must be equal to her person oynn
Though in so mixed an assembly, still there was
dignity and in the of the white domino
that rather repused the idea of familiar address and
was some time before the young soldier found courage f.
speak to her.
Some alarm being given, there was violent rush or
the throng towards the door, where unless assisted a
lady would have materially suffered Eugene MeryIc
offers his ARM and with his broad shoulders and sont
frame wards OF the danger 1t was a delightful mo-
ment the lady spoke the purest French and was witty
anciful and captivating.
"Ah! pray raise that mask and reveal to ne the
charms of feature that accompany so sweet voice and
so graceful form as you possess
"You would, perhaps, be disappointed"
/ " No, | am sure not
care you very confident?"
EYES, feel that you are beautiful. It cannot be
otherwise"
"Don't be too sure of that said the domino Have
you never heard of the Irish Poet Moores story of the
yelled prophet of Khorassan-how, when he disclosed
his countenance its hdeous aspect killed his beloved
one? How do you know that shall not turn out a
yelled prophet of Khorassan ?''
"Ah lady, your every word cOnvinces me to the con.
trary replied the enraptured soldier whose heart began
to feel as thad felt before he already in love
She eluded his efforts at discovery but permits him
to hand her to her carriage which drives off in the dark
ness and though he throws himself upon his 0eetos
horse he is unable to overtake her.
The young French colonel becomes moody he has lost
his heart and knows not how to do. He wanders hth
er and thither shuns his former place of amusement
avoids his military companions and in short is miserable
as lover we'll be, thus disappointed. One night
lust after he had left his hotel foot, figure mule
to the very ears, stopped him.
"Well, monsieur, what would you with me ?" asked
the soldier
You would know the name of the white domino"
4 was the reply.
Il would indeed !" replied the officer hastily " How
can it be done ~
Follow me-
ITO the end OF the EARTH if it will bring me to her"
" But you must be bindfolded'
: Every we'll"
S Step into The vehicle
: am at your command
And away ratified the young soldier and his compan
ion "This may be trick, reasoned Eugene MerviIe
" but have no fear of personal violence. | am armed
/ with this trusty sabre, and can take OF myself
But there was no cause tor fear, since he soon found
the vehicle stopped, and he led bndOoded into the
house. When the bandage removed from his eyes
l. he found himself in richly furnished boudor and be
u fore 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 thought of her since their separation that his
+ thoughts had never left her devotedy natural as
to breathe, and he did so most CALAMITY and sincerely
, Shall believe all you say"
# Let prove it by any test you may put uponme
Know then, the feeling you aVow are mutual. Nay,
unoose your arm from my waist, have something moro
to say
; would you marry me knowing no more of me than
n you now do.'
d If you were to go to the altar Masked he replied
% "Then will test you"
e " bow, LADY,"
For one year be faithful to the love you have proc8
sed and will be yoursas truly as Heaven shall spare
> my ie!'
r 40, cruel, cruel suspense?"
n " You demur.'
"Nay lady shall fulfill your inunctons promised
If at the expiration of year you do not hear from
me- then the contract shall be null and avoid Take this
half ring, she continued and when supply the trO
ken portion will be yours.
Id He kissed the little emblem again and again to
be faithful and pressing her hand to his lips babe her
adieu He was conducted away again mysteriously
as he had been brought thither, nor could he by any
possible discover where he had been his cOmpan
@ ion rejecting all bribes and even refusing to The
Isimplest question.
s. Months roll on. Colonel Melville is true to his VOW
~ and happy in the anticipation OF love- Suddenly he was
ordered to embassy to Vienna the gayest Of all the
" European capitals, about the time that Napoleon
~ planning to marry the Arch Duchess Maria Louisa
W The young colonel is handsome manly, and already dis
tinguished in arms and becomes at great taVOml
10 at court every effort being made by the women to cap
vate him. but III van he is constant and true to his vow
~ But his heart not made of stone; the very fact
that he had entertained such tender feelings for the white
~ domino has doubtless made him more susceptible THAI
before.
+ At last he met the young Baroness Caroline Val
10 Waldorf and in spite of his she captivaes him
- and he secretly curses the engagement he had made
Paris She seems to wonder at what she believes to !"
his Devotion and yet his sense OF honor so great
that though he felt he really loved the young Baroness
~ and even that she returned his affection still lie had gyc
n his word, and it was sacred
- The satin domino is longer the ideal OF his heart
20 but assumes the most repusve form in his imagination
and becomes in place of his good angehis evil genius
u Well time rolls on he is to return in few days
= once more the carnival season, and III enna too
that cav city, lie joins in the features of the maske
hall and what wonder fills his brain, when about tn
H., middle of the evening the white domino steals belor
D. him. in the same white satin dress he had seen her Wea
~ year before at the French Opera House in Paris
ty Was it not fancy?
a. ~ come, Colonel Eugene Mervile, to hold you t
at your promise she said laying her band lightly upo
IN his arm.
t. is this reality or dream?" asked the amazed
be soldier. :.
h Come, follow me- and you shall see that it IS a reai
a. ty," continued the mask, pleasantly
{" / will
Have you been faithful to your promise ?" askei
OF the domino as they retired into saloon.
1e "Most truly in act, but alas, fear not in heart
s. g Indeed )"