Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-04-13

tournure, which always distinguished
him in every crowd. And how tender
" his arm embraced the slight elastic
form Of the Obelisk, who foated light
as II sylph through the dance. Suddenly
both dancers disappeared.
Come, come" whispered Hermine,
as she drew her friend after her.
Where p
"Into that alcove into which the
Pasha went" Charlotte allowed herself
to be drawn forward without resistance;
before the two ladies could reach the
alcove situated in a corner of the large
saloon, they were surrounded by party
Of punches and harlequins who were
fully availing themselves of the unre-
strained liberty of the scene. They
struck at each other with their Gathering
sticks, they groaned, yelled and battered
each other with the coarsest Jests. An
other crowd of comic masks soon joined
them, and in a few moments the friends
were separated. Poor Charlotte found
| herself alone in the crowd of harle-
quins, who with jokes and grimaces
danced around her. Peals of laughter
from the spectators greeted their ma
nmuvres, which naturally induced them
| TO nOuble thelf insults.
| Charlotte was ready to faint; she
feared some one would, or had already,
perhaps, recognized her. To her plead
ing gestures they answered with laugh
ter. The tumult grew worst just as a
new mask stepped into the saloon. The
| harlequins must have been intoxicated.
A mans tall form parted the melee. He
wore an elegant black domino, a fine
half mask and black cap with white
plume flowing over the shoulder.
" Back y cried he, in a loud voice,
and his eyes flashed with anger; this
lady is under my protection"
At the same time he pushed the har-
lequins aside. A loud murmur arose,
but the domino took no notice what
ever of it.
81 pray you take my arm, madam"
said he calmly.
"Take me out of the saloon, sir, |
conjure YOU" gasped the distressed
lady.
The domino quickly obeyed. Five
minutes later they stood on the portal
Of the Opera House. Charlotte clung,
half dead, to the arm of her protector.
She could scarcely stand. A fierce
snow-storm had set in, the night was
cold and raw.
A carriage, sir" murmured she, /"
am so exhaused | cannot walk"
The domino called for q hack. AS
bad luck would have it, there was, Just
at this moment, not one to be had. The
icy wind threw clouds of snow over the
thinIy clad lady.
mere we cannot remain" muttered
the domino compasslonately
= For mercy's sake, do not carry me
back in the saloon.n
- But you are unwell, madam. Where
shall we go? All just opposite is a cafe
still open. Follow me; will procure
hack there"
The Countess submitted. Her little
feet, encased in white satin slippers,
must wade through the snow. Trembling
with cold and exhaustion she entered
the cafe, where she sank down in
swoon. The domino was much CON
cerned for his companion.
" Madam, you cannot 90 home in
this situation. You must take some
thing. You must refresh yourself. AL
low me to prescribe for you; pray be
my guest. Waiter, the bill OF fare. Two
bottles OF champagne"
Charlotte tried to refuse her gen
erous protector would not hear a word
- We will sup together, madam ; then
viii order q carriage and you can go
quietly home"
The behavior Of the domino was so
amtable and gentlemanly that Charlotte
submitted TO the gentle power of his
eloquence, and believed MIN to be a
true gentleman. They spoke OF the
uproar at the theatre. He was all in
dlgnation. In his anger he consumed
trutlies, pastry, baked fowl and vegeta-
bles-ln short, the best the bill of fare
afforded, and this he washed down with
Countess tasted the viands not TO seem
unthankful. He finished his repast in
nall an hour.
How do you feel, madam in,
quired he.
am better, thank you"
Very well, will order a carriage. "
How can | ever thank you, my dear
sir?'
BY refusing to believe that | have
placed you under the slightest obliga.
sion any gentleman would have done
til. same in like circumstances"
Oh, then, crown your magnanmOus
conduct by getting me carriage in
stuntly.'
By the time you take a cup of tea
will be back. Waiter, a cup OF tea, with
cake
the domino laid down his napkin
and hastily lett the room. Charlotte
waited ten, twenty minutes-a hal
hogT--he uId not return. Other mask,
came in and called Tor Refreshments
he fear that her husband might return
home before her, decided the Countess
to wait no longer
The stranger cannot find hack,
she thought; "he will forgive me if W.
never meet again
She wrapped herself in her domino
preparatory to leaving. The waiter came
toward her.
, My friend whispered she, ''if th,
gentleman in the domino returns pleas,
! say to HIM that beg his pardon for m,
! abrupt departure"
Consider it done, madame; bu
l please settle with me before YOU leave.
The Countess was shocked she re
j. membered she had no money with her
o as llerminc had undertaken the who'll
Do OF the arrangements.
f, Here is the BILL" continued tn
i waiter; as the gentleman went out h.
referred me TO you
= "To me?'