South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-09-29
a MASKED BALL
by cHAs q. LORD.


Louise Descours had been repeating 70 her
self for the past six hours, until it was in
delibly impressed upon her mnd-realizcd
as the one mystery and misery Of her life
She sat in her boudoir before the huge mir
ror in which she had surveyed herself but
a few hours acknowledgements only to
admire herself as the pre;tiest happiest
wife in Paris. Now how changed was the
image reflected pale, careworn, miserable
woman, whose wretched smile was n sad
mockery to the elgancc aud gayoty Of her
bali costume, put rn but a few hours ago
with so much hope and peasure-,aken off
now to he trlmpled under foot as the curse
of her life. What she had intended for the
success of her life had been a miserable
failure, bringing disgrace upon herself and
child enshrOuding her life in a mystery,
and driving her husband, perhaps, to des-
peration, and wherefore was all this ?
The tiny slip of paper in her hand was
her only solution to what had befllen her
1t was written in the dearly beloved hand of
her husband, but thc words must have been
dictated by fiend. They were simply
"To realize my ambition tore myself away
for three days from you and our child. When
returned unsuccessful in my mission, instead of
finding a wife ready to console, l found the wo-
man to whom had given my name disgracing
it by accepting the escort of a lover to a masked
ball. Thither followed her, and found her re-
yelling in pleasure, dancing and coqueitiug My
faith was great; intense was my love; both
have flown. ! follow their example ! leave
you my child, but you will never see me more.
CLEMENT DEscoURs
After pcrusing the cruel lines for at least
the hundredth time, Nine. Descours threw
herself upon the floor in agouized grief
which continued for some moments Then
she reflected as to what to do True, she
had gone to the ball in the absence aud
without the knowledge Of her husband, but
it was to serve him, and on her return she
Intended to tell him all; now she would
bury her secret in her heart letting her hus-
band mi Judge her to the end of his life, she
cared not lie would, she knew, reap the
benefit of her visit to the masked ball She
would know him happy aud prosperous, and
il he hated her she would love him. After
composing herself as best she could, Mad
anne Descour7 changed her dress, prepared
for her breakfast, announced 10 her house
hold the departure Of her husband, attend
ed 90 her chlld-an interesting boy of three
yeaTs--aud then sat down to think-to form
her future, and to nerve herself to face it.
After considerable deli6eration, she con-
Guided TO alter nothing in her life except
It's gayety. She remained in Paris in her
home, but she sec udcd herself from all So
ciety, thereby avoiding the numerous ques-
tious she would be compelled to answer, aud
tho pity her answers would solicit for she
would, when questioned, speak the truth
Why should she by conceaIment bear the
blame due 10 her husband? Alone she
might have done that but it was due TO her
liule one that she should stand blameless
before tha world. Poor little Ernest missed
his father greatly; be would search the en-.
tire house for him, aud insisted on bcliev-
ing that Papa was hiding FROM Ernest.
Louise made no comment but les the ba
b. miud draw d. own conclusions, and she
was right ia time Ernest ceased 10 ask
Cor bis father, bat De would frequently
sigh ani say o. himself, Papa hides long
time, Ernest viii be a man before he find,
papa.
Two years won't quietly bg. Louise never
hearing ni OF from her husband. Luckily
-he thought of cousin who lived q little
beyond Paris, surroun ca by friends, pleas
ure and happiness She wrote TO her, ask
ing permission 60 visit her f,r "a iime. In
reply 90 her request came the following
letter:
"Dasa7.r LOUISA Time aud patience has re-
sure .r' you from gay Paris You weary OF it
and rish t1 fg 90 me. weary without you
ANA rf4If- y.lT-.r... t.. t... .. - ~