The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-05
ESPERANZA.

Do YOU know tho music.room in the
Redoubte at SpaP The large expanse
in the centre OF it is kept clear for
dancing, and spectators whose minds
and toes are not light or fantastic, re-
main in the cloisters which surround it,
and which are well supplied with COM
Portable chairs and sofas. Sometimes
1t happens that the young men are in
dolcnt or timid, and the young ladies
stiif, and then the smooth shining floor
is desert, and in spite OF the floods OF
light and music, there is something de-
pressing about the general aspect. But
that was not the state OF affairs one
August night, although the majority Of
visitors present were English. There
had been great deal Of fraternization
ut the taJies.dhOio of the different no.
tells walking, riding, driving parties
had been made mp daily; the foreign
element was inst sufficient to correct the
British stiffness, without being numeri-
cally strong enough to provoke its ex.
clusiyeness. Altogether verypleasant
little society was formed in the place
that season. Afillicent Lund was M
attractive member Of it; handsome,
ligh.couaged girl IN orphan, sole
surviving child of n drysalter, conse-
uuently On heiress. Willie at school,
from II age OF twelve to nineteen that
is, she was happy, but her guardian's
wife had patronizing manners, which
Milly quietly put up with till she was
twenty.one, and then took charge OF
horseff-that is, she engaged one OF her
old governesses, who was getting too
blind md deaf to teach, and would con-
seouently have been otherwise destitute,
to accept the nominal position Of taking
charge OF her but Of course 1t was a
sinecnre. People were shocked ; but
much Milly cared for that She sat on
n sofa behind one OF the pillars, talking
to n black-haired man OF about thirty,
who dressed rather too well for the ex-
preston Of his features, which was in
telligent. :.
"f am afraid of you, Mr.. Bertram, /"
she was saying.
pie are maligned; Iheard that you were
afraid Of no one"
"Perhaps you have been slandered
also." =.
"shall 1 tell you a romantic story ."
30 yes, please" :,
"Do not let your expectations rise"
said Bertram "there is nothing sensa-
tional about II. Upwarls Of year ago
I happened to bo staying ut Brussels
during the Carnival. The Countess G..
had fancy to give n masked ball, and
I received nm invitation. II was q very
brilliant affair, and ut the same time the
company was select, for the hostess re-
ceived all her guests on arrival singly,
and unmasked, in small ante.room, SO
that none but those who were properly
invited could gain admittance. l had
not been in the room five minutes be-
fore saw blue domino, who produced
the most extraordinary effect upon me
that l have ever experienced. Up to
that time had laughed ut mesmerism,
presentiments, everything which is com
flected with mysterious intercommu-
nication of spirits. But now the fact
OF the existence Of secret sympathies
was forced upon me. l knew OF once
that this was the only woman l could
ever love. OF course ! had often
thought myself in love before, but now
/ saw that 1 had given that name to q
passing fancy, which never reached my
heart. / spoke to her, / danced with
her. How the night passed, | have no
idea II seemed gone before IT had be-
gun.
You saw her face before she loft O.
"Not for moment. Nor was / able
to discover who she was, or where she
came from, afterwards. That she wai
English, / am confident, though she
spoke italian all the evening.
AZ am quite interested" said Miss
Iund. What was her height, and hel
figure ?"
7" Like Yours"
Indeedl And the color Of her hair y
GYours exactly"
And you have never neither aganp'
0Not till this evening"
UReally, Mr.. Bertram, said Milly,
lsurhing,d q you almost look as II you
were going 10 claim me as your mysteri'
- Ia.,,fNn "