Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-03-21
LOVE AND PRIDE /:
OR,
THE WHITE DOMINO.
BY MAUD IRVING.

Are you going to the masquerade to-
morrow eYeniDg?" inquired Bell Harriss Of
May Winters, as the TIVE young girls sat by
the open window of the boudoir of the lat
ter.
81 do not know. / hardly like the idea
of covering my face with mask, and envel-
oping my figure in anything but graceful fig.
ure of a domino, subjecting myself to the or
deal of dancing or couversing with one whose
features are hid from view-perbaps per.
feet stranger" replied May.
"Ob, you mast attend; Mrs. Gray has
decorated her parlors elegantly for the occa-
sion, and is determined .hat this shall be one
of the most brilliant affairs ever given in this
quiet little village. A number of guests from
the city are invited, among them young
gentleman lately returned from Europe, a
Mr.. Manley, and you must not fail to be
present. think masquerade IS charming J;
the mystery that seems to hover around the
partner of the dance is so romantic. So ear
nest was Bell, that she did not notice how
May started, and suddenly turned pale as
she mentioned the name of Mr.. Mapley-it
was we'll she did not, and Mays voice was
slightly tremulous as she replied.
=" 1t may be charming to one unaccustom-
ed to such affairs, but Jou must remember,
dear Bell that the winter l spent in Wash-
ington led me 10 become disgusted with all
these frivolities Of fashionable life, and it was
to escape from them that / came to pass a
year at this secluded village, hoping to find
here the quiet and rest sought; but it seems
the gaieties.I would have eluded, have fol.
lowed me to this spot. Besides, fear my
guardian would be displeased if were to at
tend such gathering; be is very particular,
and considers masquerados rather too pro-
miscuous gathering for me to attend"
COB, he won't know it, unless you tell
him and if be does ho won't care, just
this once, and Mrs. Gray is so anxious to be
honored by the attendance of Miss Winters,
the heiress and Washington belle, that it
would be shame to disappoint her. Now
do promise me that you will CO." and the i'm
pulsive girl threw her arms around the neck
of May Winters, and imprinted kiss upon
her fair brow.
81 cannot promise, but if I conclude to at.
tend, you will know me, dear Bell for shall
wear aohite domino and mask"
"What strange girl you are, May /; who
ever heard of such thing as wearing white
| t. 70 - do kah h
as unlike other people as possible, shall
hide myself beneath mask and domino OF
brilliant scarlet; but it is nearly twilight,
and I must hasten home," with kiss and
fond embrace the young girls parted.
After the departure of Bell, May sat for a
long time wrapt in dreamy meditation, al
length she said:
"Guests from the city. and Howard among
the number invited. he mag attend; yes
wiU go, and the meeting have long wished
for, may at last take place. l would if
could, forever, Danish bis image from my
heart, for it may be he has learned to despise
me; and it is no more than deserve" with
these words she left the apartment, and de-
scended to the parlor below.
A few words relative to the past life Of
May Winters NAV not, at this time, be con-
sidered out Of place.
Years ago, when May was a little girl and
her parents lived in luxury and elegance in
the gay metropolis, her father took to his
home poor orphan boy, Howard Manley.
and educated him as his own son.
Howard and May soon learned to love one
another as brotl er and sister. and were all
most continually together; but when May
reached er fifteenth year she was sent away
from home, to distant boarding school,
here she was taught al the hollow sophistry
of the world, and ere two years had passed
away, she was suddenly summoned home to
attend the funeral of her father and mother.
who had fallen victims to an epidemic that,
at that time ragged in the city.
When May and Howard met after sere.
raticn of nearly two years, both were chang
ed-the youth Of nineteen had grown to be a
handsome, well developed man but he re-
tanned all the good qualities of his youth, and
May. the artless child of fifteen, was now the
proud and overbsaring coquette of seven
!. teen.
An uncle was appointed the guardian of
May, and for two years she lived secluded
life IN his elegant dwelling. lie was wild
ever, and childless. During these years Of
seclusion, Howard had been absent on Eu-
ropean tour, but returned in time to attend
the grand reception at the residence of Mr..
Winters. on the evening May was ushered
into society. 6.r
He soon realized that the beautiful Miss
Winters was little like the simple, trusting
May of former days, still he loved her not
with the brotherly affection of bis youth. buI
with deep, a true DEVOTION.
May was not slow to discover his secret
for he told his love in his every look and aci
tion, and she spurned bim from her. How
could she, the higb-born, fattered child o
! wealth be expected to encourage the atten
tions of one who eyed his present position 4