Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-16
The Masked Lady.

The weakest of them all.
The Masked Lady.
1t was the Carnival Season in Paris,
and Colonel Eugene Merville, an attache
of the great Napoleon's staff, who had
won his way to distinction with his own
sabre, found himself at the masked ball
in the French Opera House. Better
adapted in his taste to the field than the
boudoir, he firts but little with the gay
figures that cover the floor, and joins but
seldom in the giddy waltz. But at last,
while standing thoughtfully, and regard
| ing the assembled throng with vacant
eye, his attention was suddenly aroused
by the appearance of a person in white
satin domino, the universal elegance of
| whose figure, manner and bearing, con-
vInced all that her face aud mind must
be equal to her person in grace and love.
illness.
Though in so mixed an assembly, still
there was dignity and reserve in the
manner of the white domino that rather
repulsed the idea of familiar address,
and it was some time before the young
soldier found courage to speak to her.
Some alarm being given, there was
violent rush of the throng towards the
door, where, unless assisted, the lady
would have materially suffered. Eugene
Merville offers his arm, and with his
broad shoulders and stout frame wards
off the danger. 1t was a delightful mo-
ment; the lady spoke the purest French,
was witty, fanoiful and captivating.
"Ah lady, pray raise that mask, and
reveal to me the charms of feature that
must accompany so sweet voice and 80
graceful form as you possess"
"You would, perhaps. be disappointed"
"No, am sure not"
"Are you 80 very confdent?"
eyes. feel that you are beautiful. 1t
cannot be otherwise"
"Don't be too sure of that" said the
domino. Have you never heard of the
Irish poet Moore's story of the yelled pro.
phet of Khorassan-how, when be dis
closed his countenance, it's hideous aspect
killed his beloved one? How do you
know that shall not turn out a yelled
prophet of Khorassan p
"Ah, lady, your every word convinoes
me to the contrary" replied the enrap
tured soldier, whose heart began to feel
as it had never felt before he WAS already
in love.
She eludes his efforts at discovery, but
permits him to hand her to her Carriage.
which drives off in the darkness, and
though he throws himself upon his feet
est horse, be is unable to overtake her.
The young French colonel becomes
moody; he has lost his heart, and knows
not what to do. He wanders hither and
thither, shnps his former places of amuse-
m4nt, avoids his military companions,
aud, in short, is miserable as lover can
we'll be, thus disappointed. One night,
last after he had lett his hotel on foot,
figure, mt filed 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 ?" was the reply.
II 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"
"Bnt you must be blindfolded
every we'll"
"Step into this vehicle"
~ am at your command"
And away ratified the youthful soldier
and his strange companion. This may
be trick" reasoned Eugene Merville,
shut have no fear of personal violence.
can take care of my self. But
there was no cause for fear, since
he soon found the vehicle stopped, aud
he was led blindfolded into the house.
When the bandage was removed from his
eyes, he found himself in richly fur
nished boudoir, and before him stood the
domino. just as he 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, that he loved her devotedly, was
as natural as to breathe. and he did 50
CALAMITY and sincerely.
"Shall / believe all you say"
Lady, let me prove it by any test you
may put upon me-"
know, then, that the feelings you
avow are mutual Nay, unloose your
arm from my waist. l have something
more to say
Talk ON forever, LADY, Your voice is
music to my heart and ears
"Would you marry me, knowing no
more of me than you now do?"
"Yes, if you were to go the very altar
masked !" he replied.
"Then l will test yon."
"How, lady ~
"For one year be faithful to the love
you have professed, and will be yours
as truly as heaven shall spare my life"
80 cruel suspense"
"You demur.,'
"Nay, lady, shall ful6ll your iniunc-
tions as promised"
"Ifat the expiration of year you d.
not hear from me, then the contract shall
he null and void. Take this half ring,"l
she continued, "and when 1 supply thel
broken portion l will be yours"
He kissed the little emblem, swore
again and again to be faithful, and, pres
sing her hand to his lips, babe her adieu.
He was conducted away as mysteriously
as he had been brought thither, nor could |
he by any possible means discover where
he had been; his companion rejecting all
brides, and even refusing to answer the
simplest questions.
Months roll on. Colonel Merville is
true to his vow, and happy in the antici-
patton of love- Suddenly he was ordered
on an embassy to Vienna, the gayest of
MI tue GuEOpodu Cdpitdis, ABOUT the Tune
that Napoleon is planning to marry the
Archduchess Maria Louisa. The young
colonel is handsome, manly, and already
distinguished in arms, and becomes at
once great favorite at court, every effort
being made by the women to captivate
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 entertained
such tender feelings for the white domino