Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-08-24

hand, said Ernest, and Will hnC
employment for that dainty foot
The music sounds; let's away to tht
dance"
at believe my hand is promised
already" answered the fair one, sc
take it quick, before some one dis
putes the prize with you.
The next minute they were whirl
ing round the vast saloon to music
that might keep dancers on their feet
for life. Anna leaned upon the
shoulder of her partner, and he
breathed Ii her ear words that she
could not listen to without a thrill Of
j pleasure.
At the conclusion of the dance
Ernest led her into side room, in
which they found themselves quite
alone.
You persist, then,' said the lady,
"in calling me the Baroness Won
Gra9enberg"
II L had doubted before, your
dancing would have convinced me.
The leader of the sylphides is known
by her step"
Well, you have guessed right.
And now, inreturn for my confidence,
may I request you to raise your
mask?"
at can refuse you nothing" said
Ernest von Steinberg.
He raised his mask as he spoke,
and disclosed to the astonished gaze
of the baroness the well-known fea-
lures of King Louis of Bavc ia.
"But I thought. you assured us
that the cavalier was Captain Ernest
Won Steinbergl" exclaims the reader.
Let as explain. TO give additional
zest and pleasure, and complicate the
mysteries of masquerade, the .cour-
tiera of Louis XIV. of France had
invented the following expedient;.
They procured fine wax likenesses OF
their friends, of eminent persos, and
wore them under their masks. When
requested to declare their identity,
they would raise the outer mask,
and the inner wax one, seen tor a
moment, in. most cases completely de-
ceived the spectator. 1t is easy to
imagine what an infinite field tor
mvstifcation this contrivance afford
Captain Ernest had friend, a
sculptor, who had modelled a bust OF
the king; and from him he had pro
cured a wax mask, beautifully color
ed, and so well executed as to de-
ceive the eyes of the baroness for the
moment they rested on it.. Ernest,
satisfied with his success, replaced his
black velvet.vizor, and continued the
interview.
disguised aide-de-camp, " it is Louis
who stands before you-not as your
king, but as your subject, your slave
the thrall Of your beauty"
"Ah, sire /" replied the belle Of
Munich, "you are sporting with the
sensibilities of weak woman.
mo, by heaven!" replied the false
king. L am incapableof that. Be-
hold me at your feet, and hear me
swear eternal allegiance to your
charms.
~Rise, rise, sirel" said the baron
ess, very much irritated. 1--WE may
be seen or overheard.
Long have I thought" >" continued
the false king, that beauty such as
yours should grace throne.
"a throne |" echoed the baroness.
"But you are right" he contin-
ued, hurriedly;; this is no time OF
place for condolences like ours. Hark
the clock is striking twelve. Will
you trust to my honor, and meet me
at this hour tomorrow night ?"
Where sire?"
SIN the Chinese pavilion in the
garden of the palace. The wicket o.
the postern gate that leads to the
door of the pavilion shall be left open
for you"
The baroness gave him her hand.
Tomorrow night at twelve !
said she, and glided from the room.
"Oh, woman womanl woman !
said Ernest, when alone =" false al
fair Is it for this we rank you witt
the angels? But tremble, faithles'
one-your punishment shall be al
bitter as the.agony l suffer. "
And he followed the baroness inte
the dancing-saloon. He had nc
sooner left the room than masked
figure stole forth from beneath mas
Of crimson drapery.
"The Chinese pavilion tomorrow
night at twelve p said the stranger
+" Bravo bravo Captain Won Stein
bergl'.
{ And he, too, vanished.
Afew minutes before twelve o'clocl
on the following night, Captain Vol
f Steinberg, wearing his wax mask
unlocked and entered the Chimes
pavilion in the royal garden. Th
inside shutters of the windows wer
!, closed, so that he ventured to pro
duce a match, and light wax taper
, taking care to place shade over ii
so that the room should be very dim
ly lighted. After completing the al
rangements, he glanced round, AM
. started on seeing the figure Of ma
$ near the table. The stranger wa
: dressed in the uniform Of an aide
decamp, and wore mask upon hi
face.
"Who are you u?" demanded Ell
S nest, advancing to the intruder.
/" You have anticipated similia
/. question:" replied the mask.
/! "But I have right to know, sal
e Ernest.
$50 have I, was the quite an
swer.
c Sir" said Ernest, placing hi
q hund on the hilt Of his sabre,