The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-04-10
Tale Of a Masquerade.
A MIscH1EvoUs WIDOW.

pred.
No person failed to notice conspicuous
costume present, a gentleman dressed as a
Spanish cavalier very neat and tasty
dress, set off upon we'll built and athletic
frame. The gentleman, whom we shall
call x, paid particular-indeed, most
devoted attention to pink domino, en-
shrouaing sylph like form. acting as her
escort at all times, and paying no atten-
ton, worth noticing, to any body else. In
promenading or in resting they were in
earnest conversation, and the ladies, who
could not fail to notice them, thought he
must be duck ola fellow to pay SO much
attention, while the gentleman thought
she must be a divine little angel to listen
SO devotedly to all his soft things. Per-
haps both Of them were just what they had
the credit Of being.
The cavalier was legal gentleman Of
our city, and the pink domino was no
matter who, just now.
The gentleman is married. and has a
small family. He loves his wife, but
people do whisper that sometimes he loves
other peoples just as much. The cava-
lier proposed some time since to 90 to the
ball, but his wife insisted that her health
was not very good, and as there would be
something Of crowd present. she would
not go-to her masquerades, were tedious
affairs at best. That x. was delighted
with the determination there is no doubt
He did not say 50, however, but the day
his wife decided not to 60 he met in com
pany young and pretty widow, and in
the heat Of the excitement he asked her
to accompany him to the masquerade. The
widow was possessed ola bosom full of fun,
and she consented to 60. x. fitted her
outwitha costume and pink domino, and
as everybody saw who noticed it, very
pretty aud very expensive. Now, in con-
Guiding to go, the widow had some OBJ
ject in view, evidently, for yesterday, so
runs the story, shs saw x. go away from
home, when she sought the presence Of
his wife, and told her the whole story,
and in conclusion she said:
Now you've heard the whole thing.
That good for nothing husbandof yours
has been paying toomany attentions to me
of late, and | do not like it. If you are
woman Of spirit you will play trick on
him for this and if you are not, why I'll
-I'll-just go with him to the masqucr
AIDE, and I'll tiirt with him all the evening
just as hard as ever | know how" 1t is
presumed the wife was not woman OF
So rit, for last evening about8 O'Clock a
carriage drove up to the widows house.
and a Spanish cavalier very gentlemanly
very devotedly, and very lover-like, assis-
ted domino into it, and it drove to Music
Hall.
At the hall the couple paid little atten-
ton to the funny scenes about them. II
they laughed at all it was at their own
wit. Frying eyes tried hard to find out
who they were. They sauntered about
until tired. They took retreshment and oc
casionally glass Of wine They made nc
attempts to peep beneath each Others
| Mosques, for they knew each other we'll
At all times the cavalier seemed whisper
ing the sottest things to the domino, ane
close observer might have seen that oc
casionally the words where very soft, for
| they made the fair domino start and trem
| BILE Just little cut seemed to have gooo
| control Ct herself, but there is no doub,
that could her face have been seen, there
| would have been traces Of bushes.
1t was not very late hour when the
cavalier and the domino had disappeared
from the scene. When tho Mosques were
removed at twelve O. clock, anxious ones
were looking to see who the couple were
but they'were gone, and all were disap
pointed. Let US follow them to the homt
OF the widow. where they drove in haste
the cavalier very happy, very laxative
and almost beside himself which joy-ths
domino very quiet and very reserved
They were shown into the drawingroom
where the domino throws himself upon ;
lounge. The cavalier steps forward t.
turn up the ges little, but pleasant voIc'
says: Il will do it for you, Mr.. X.,' ane
the room is ablaze with light. The voice
was that ofthe young widow. and the blaz'
of light showed the lawyer leaning upon
chair, perfectly aghast with establishment
looking from the widow to the domino
yet unable to utter word.
'.Why, what is the matter Mr.. X.?'
asked the widow, you look astonished
expected you, and have been waiting 70
you sometime. Your wife told me sh'
would come here"
"My wife !" gasped the cavalier
| eyes your wife. Why, what is tn
matter with you? Are YOU unwell 7"
| The cavalier scarce seemed to know
whether he was u,well or lot. He turned
to the domino. She had removed her mas
que, and he saw his wife sitting befor,
him. His astonishment was greater thai
before. Still he could say nothing. TIL
wife was too indignant to speak. Th
widow came to the relief of both.
Il tell you what it is, Mr.. x" sh
said, you've one Of the best woman il
the world for wife, aud you abuse he
worse then any man ever knew. | jus
wish | was in her place for about fv
minutes now"
The cavalier looked as if lie wished no
thing Of the kind The widow went on
"You insulted me in asking me to g
with you. If had big brother able t
whip you be should have done it, and if
had not been that woman cannot do thos
things, | would have done it myself Yo
deserved it any way you, ugly monster. A
Icould not do it | told your wife, and "
determined to punish you, and l guess yo