The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-08-31
HOYT g. CO., Proprietors.
A MASQUERADE.

Talbot's drawing-rooms presented scene of
oa;ety that could not have failed to satisfy any
deyotee of pleasure found within her walls.
There we're kings and queens, knights and Ia
dies, pretty little peasants, whose picturesque
costumes bespoke them from the mountains OF
Tyrol but who were strangely wanting IN the
foreign accent. In one corner stood young
QuaEeress, holding an animated conversation
with a rray-haired monk in another the Dawn
of Morning and Goddess of Liberty were en-
tleayorng to outrival each other in the good
araces of a dashing young fop of the sixteenth
century. Tony right stood Jeanette and Jean.
not !. to nv left, Red-Riding- Hood, torgettul Of
cheese, cake and grandma, was lingering to
flirt with bashtul minstrel, whose faltering
tongue failed to express the sentiments OF ad,
miration she inspired within him. AS STOOD
silently observing the scene, and vainiy en-
deavoring to discover one beloved form among
the unmaSked figures around me, low, music
al voice broke upon my ear; and, turning haSti-
" round found myself confronting queen
ly-looking nun.
81 beg YOUR pardon for interrupting your
reyerie. monsieur" she said, in French; but
the message l bear will procure my forgive
ness. Miriam Courtney, the Queen OF Night,
to whom your soul pays willing, homage, has
arrived, and requests your attendance.
She paused, and i gazed at her in blank
amazemcut Who was she? How did she
become possessed of secret had never whis-
pered to my dearest friend-no, not even to
the object of my passion, although my actions
must have given her reason TO suppose was
not Indifferent to her? | ran over the COM
plcte list of my lady acquaintances, and as tar
as INV knowledge extended, not one OF them
could speak French Puzzled, perplexed,
nevertheless, after moments hesitation, re-
solved to test her knowledge of myself by as
suming a nonchalent air, and carelessly OBJ
served that she must be mistaken in regard to
nv identity. as l could not claim the honor OF
an acquaintance with the Queen OF Night;
and was about to add, i'll an lnslnuatlng tone,
"I desire no loveier queen to whom to pay my
homage than she who stands before me, when
she interrupted the complimentary speech by
pointing to the open door, and eXclalming,
''See, there she comes.
Invountarly glanced in the direction in
dcated but group of fairies, with gauzc-
like wings and floating drapery, intercepted, my
view but moment, however. lhey sudden
" parted to the right and left revealing
Young Girl. whose starry dress and glittering
crescent proclaimed her, indeed, Queen OF the
Night. One glance was sufficient to convince
me that was gazing upon my beautiful Miriam
and even had | doubted it for moment,
plimpse which | caught las she uncon>ciously
raised her hand to her brow of a pearl brace
let had frequently seen her wear would have
been proof conclusive. turned to address my
companion; she had disappeared. In vain did
I search for her through the crowded room1 |
did not, however, lose sight Of Miriam. While
still pondercd on the words of the nun, she
entered Il small conservatory opening into the
garden, whittier followed her.
| had purchased an exquisite bouquet in the
early part of the evening. and now presented
it to her. saying, "Will your Majesty deign to
accept from the most humble OF your slaves
this token of his respect and estcem!'
THANK you!" she said, in strangely affect
ed tone.
"Ah !" thought l ; "she imagincs that have
not recognized her"
After moments hesitation, as though she
feared her voice might betray her, she contln-
ucd 81 fear these flowers were not originally
intended for me. | noticed you IN close con-
yersation with bcwitching nun short time
aro. and, Judging by your manner, supposed
YOU to be offering this same bouquet to her"
"You are mistaken" | replied, with secret
flush of triumph, for / thought / L.; detected
tinge of jealoisly in her words. 1.-The flowers
were bought expressly for you"
"Ah. indeed" she said in gratifcd man
ncr. III perceive you are a faithful and loyal
subject, and must reward you according to the
forms of royalty, by creating you knight OF
pardon me- dear lady," interrupted, "not
only for declining the kind offer, but also lot
aspiring so far above it. must confess, how
ever. that | can accept no post beneath the Dig
nitv of the King himself and this is the hon
Or added, in lower tone, .! must earnestly
entrcat vou to bestow upon me-"
cam / 70 understand that you desire me to
resign nv crown in YOUR favor? Truly, your
presumption is unsurpassed, in the annals ol
history
"No, YOU mistake me" I returned ut is
not the value of the crown | seek, but the pos
session of the Queen who wears 1t
At this juncturc severa! couples, heated ana
fatipued by the dance. strollcd into the conser-
vatorv, which had hitherto been empty save
ourselves.
the garden j said, offering my arm. The
night is beautiful, and your royal sister, high
in the heavens, is impatiently awaiting your
coming"
She took the offered support and we stepped
out into the open air. ,,r,.
"Oh. how enchanting" !" she observed. "This
soft, hazy moonlight throws charm over ey,
erything; softening all defects, heightenlng all
beauties. Does it not remind you OF an ex-
qusite drcam?'
"Trulv, it does | replied; "for ] cannot
reaizc the fact that | am so fortunate as to
enjoy the pleasure of walking and conversing
with you alone" :,
81 see that you arc we'll versed in the art Of
fattcry, sir" u
con the contrary, know not what you call
Aatterv, and desire nothing 40 much as t" give
YOU some convincing evidence of my sincerl-
ty" -, u.o
"Sincc such is the case" she returned, prove
your words my unmasking."
instantly iooscncd and flung aside the dom
ino that had concealed my features, saying, as
did so, "Since you desire it, obey; though
it is wholly unnecessary, as you must have
recognized NV voice when first addressed you,
as I have yours, although you have taken such