The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-09-25
TRIED AND TRUE.

TRIED AND TRUE. !.
H was the Carnival season in Paris, and
Colonel Eugene Merville, an .attache OF the
great Napoleons staff, who had won his way
to distinction with his own sabre, found HIM
self at the masked ball in the French opera
house. Better adapted in his tastes to the field
than the boudoir, he firts but little with the
gay figures that cover the floor, and joins but
seldom in the waltz But at last. while stand.
ing thoughtfnlly and regarding the assembled
throng with q vacant eye, his attention was
son in a white satin domino, the universal ele-
eance of whose figure, manner and bearing,
convinced all that her face and mind must be
equal to her person in grace and loveliness.
Though in so mixed an assembly, still there
wasta dignity and reserve in the manner OF the
white domino that rather repulsed the idea OF
q familiar address, and it was some time before
the young soldier found courage to speak to
her. ~
Some alarm being given, there was q 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 delightful moment
the lady spoke the purest French, was witty,
fanciful and captivating.
.!anAh lady, pray raise that mask, and reveal
to me the charms Of feature that must accom-
pany SO sweet q voice and so graceful form
as YOU possess r Z
.sYou would, perhaps, he disappointed"
ssNo, am sure not"
care you so very confident ?"
eyes. / feel that you are besutiful--it can
not be otherwise. ~
sDon't be too sure of that" said the domino.
ssHaye, YOU never heard of the Irish poet
Moore's story of the yelled prophet of Kho-
rassan-how, when he disclosed his counte-
nance.it hideous aspect killed his beloEedo one:
How do YOU know that shall not turn out a
veiled prophet of Khorassan ?'A'-i y.
.ssHsAh, lady, your every word convinces me to
tie contrary" replied the enraptured soldier,
whose heart had begun to, feel as, it never felt
before-he was in love.
tShs eludes his efforts at discovery, but per
nits him TO hand her to her carriage, which
drives off in the darkness, and though he throws
himself upon his heetest horse, he Is unable to
overtake Ter. -i.ss;
The Young French Colonel becomes moody,
he has lost his heart, and knows not what to
do. He wanders hither and thither, shuns his
former places OF amusement avoids his militia
ry c6mpanions, and, in short, is miserable as a
lover can we'll sbe thus disappointed One
nicht, lust after he had left his hotel on foot,
figure, mufled up to the very ears, stopped him:
aWell, monsieur, what would you with meT'
asked the soldier -
'sYou would know the name of the white
domino?' was the reply.
u would, indeed" replied the officer hasti'
II. "How can it be done?"
aFollow me-"
"To the end of the earth iflt will bring me
70 her"
"But you must be blindfolded."
'sVery well" -. 49,
:seaStep in the vehicle"
II am at your command"
=, And away ratified the youthful soldier and
bis strange companion. 'aThis may be q trick, "
reasoned Eugene Mergille, "but have no fear
of personal violence. am armed with this
trusty sabre; and can take care of myself" But
there was no cause for fear since he soon found
the vehicle stop; and he was led, blindfolded,
into the house. When the bandsge was re-
moved from his eyes, he found himself in q
richly furnished bondoir, and before him stood
the white domino just as he met her at the
masked ball. To fall upon his knees and tell
her how much he had 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 SO gallanty
and sincerely.
sShall believe all you say?"
LADY, let me prove it by any test you may
put upon me-"
sKnow, then, that the feelings you avow are
mutual. Nay, unloose your arm from my
wsist. have something more to say"
"Talk Oh forever, lady Your voice is mu-
sic to my heart and ears"
"Would you marry me, knowing no more OF
me than you now do?"
eyes. if. you were to go to the very altar
maskedw he replied.
''Then will test you"
ssFor one year be faithful to the love You
have professed, and will be yours-as true as
heaven shall spare my life"
ooh, cruel suspense!"
"You demur7"
'sNay, lady, l shall fulfill your injunctions as
1 promised"
i'If at the expiration of year you do not
hear from me, then the contract shall be null
and void. Take this half ring" she continued
aand when supply the broken portion will
he kissed the little emblem, swore again
and again to be faithful, and pressing her hand
to his lips bade her adieu.
He was conducted away as mysteriously as
he had been brought thitler; nor could he by
any means discover where he had been, his
companion rejecting all bribes, and even re.
fusing to answer the simplest questions
Months roll on. Colonel Melville is true tc
his VOW, and happy in the anticipations Of love
Suddenly he was ordered on an embassy to Vi
emma, the gayest of all the European capitals
about the time that Napoleon was planning tc
marry the Archduchess Maria Louisa. The
young colonel is handsome, manly, and already
distinguished in arms, and becomes at once q