River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-10-24
TRIED and TRUE.

tache of the great Napoleon's staff, who
had won his way to distinction with his
own sabre, found himself at the mask.
ed ball in the French opera house.
Better adapted in his tastes to the field
than the boudoir. he hirts but little
with the gay figures that cover the
floor and joins but seldom in the waltz.
But at last, while standing thought
fully and regarding the assembled
thrOng with a vacant eye, his attention
was suddenly aroused by the appear.
ance of person in a white domino,
the universal elegance of whose figure,
manner, and bearing convinced all that
her face and mind must be equal to her
person IN grace and loneliness.
Though in so mixed an assembly,
still there was a reserve and dignity in
the manuer Of the white domino that
rather repulsed the idea of familiar
address, and it was sometime before
the young soldier had the courage to
speak to her.
Some alarm being given, there was
violent rush of the throng towards the
door where, unless assisted, the lady
would have materially suffered. Eu-
gene Meryille offers his arm, and with
his broad shoulders and stout frame
wards off the danger Ii was a delight
full moment the lady spoke the purest
French, was witty, fanciful, and capti-
waiting.
All lady, pray raise that mas
and reveal to me the charms of feature
that must accompany SO sweet a voice
and SO graceful form as you possess 2"
" You would, perhaps, be disa-
poit ted
No, | am sure not"
Are you so very confident p"
" Yes. feel that you are beautiful
1t cannot be otherwise.
Don't he too sure ofthat," said the
domino. "Have you never heard of the
Irish poet Moore's story OF the yelled
prophit of Khorasan--how, when he had
disclosed his countenance, its hideous
aspect killed his beloved one. How do
yon know that | shall turn ont yelled
prophet of Khorasan Z"
"Ah, lady, your every VOID con-
vinces me to the contrary" replied the
enraptured soldier, whose heart had
began to feel as it never felt before he
was in love.
She eludes his efforts at discovery
but permits HIM to hand her to the
carriage, which drives off in the dark
ness, and though he throws himself
upoL his swiftest horse, he is able to
overtake her.
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
place of amusement, avoids his mill
tary companions, aud, in short, is mis-
cradle as a lover can well be thus dis
appointed. One night, Just after he
had left his hotel on foot, figure.
muffled up to the very ears, stopped
him.
Well, monsieur, what would you
with me z" asked the soldier,
"Yuu would know the name of the
white domino 2" was the reply.
would, indeed, " replied the Off
Ger hastily. How can 1t be done 4"
Follow me.
. To the end of the earth. if it will
bring me To her.
"But You must be blindfolded.
Very well. "
Step into this vehicle. -
- | am Mt your command
And away ratified the youthful sol
der and his strange companion. This
may be a trick, reasoned Eugene
Mervllle, "but have no fear of per
sonal violence. am armed with this
trusty sabre, and can take care of my
self. But there was no cause for fear
since he soon found the vehicle stop
and he was led, blindfolded into the
house. When the bandage was remov-
cd from his eyes, he found himself in a
richly-iurnished boudoir, 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 thought of her since their separa.
ton, that his thoughts had never left
her, that he loved her devotedly. was
as natural as to breathe, and he did So
calamity aud sincerely"
shall | believe all YOU saw 2"
Lady, let me prove it by any test
/ You may put upon me,
Know, then, that the feelings Won
avow are mutual Nay, unloose yonr
arm rom my waist. have something
more to say.
Talk on forever lady! Your voice
Is music to my heart and ears
Would You marry me, knowing
no more Of me than you now do 2"
les, Il you were to e. To the very
altar masked 80 he replied.
"Thon will test YOU.
+" How, lady r.
" For enc year be- faithful to the love
you have prelessed, and | will he
yours-as truly as heaven shall spare
my life
Oh, cruel suspense
Iou demur z"
Nay, lady, | shall fulfil your in
functions az | promised.
IT ut the expiration Of year you