The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1873-11-20
9&t5sssss Stories.
TRIED AND TRUE.

- TRIED AND TRUE.
1t was the Carnival season in Paris;
and Colonel Eugene MerYille. an attaehe
of the great Napoleon's staff, who had
won his way to distinction with his own
sabre, found himself at the masked ball
in the French Opera House. Better
adapted In his tastes to the field than the
parlor, he hirted but little with the gay
figures that covered the floor, and Joined
but seldom IN the giddy waltz But at
last, while standing thoughtfully, and re-
gsrding the assembled throng with ava
cant eye, his attention was suddenly
aroused by the appearance of a person in
a white satin domino, the universal ele-
gance of whose figure, manner, and bear
ing, 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 dignity and reserve In the
manner of the white domino that rather
repulsed the idea of familiar address,
and it was some time before the young
soldier found courage to speak to her.
Some alarm being given, there was a
violent rush of the throng toward the
door, where, unless assisted, the lady
would haveImaterislly suffered. Eugene
Melville offered his arm, and with his
broad shoulders and stout frame kept off
the danger. 1t was delightful moment;
the lady spoke the purest French, was
witty, fancitul and captivating.
"Ahl lady, pray raise that mask, and
reveal to me the charms of features that
must accompany so sweet a voice and 50
graceful q form as you possess"
5a, you would, perhaps, be disappoint
mo, am sure not" s .a.-1la
"Are You so very eonfdentP'
eyes. feel that you are beauriful-it
cannotbe otherwise
"Don't be too sure of that" replied the
domino, Have you never heard of the
Irish poet Moore's story of the yelled
prophet of Khorasan-hOw when he dis
closed his countenance, its hideeus aspect
killed his beloved one? How do you
know that 1 shall not turn out veiled
prophet of Khorasan?'
''Ah, lady, your every word conyinees
me TO the contrary" replied the enrap-
tured soldier, whose heart began to feel as
1t had never felt before; he was already IN
love. ..--
She eludes his efforts at disco very; but
permits 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 her.
The young French Colonel becomes
moody; he has lost his heart, and knows
not what to do. He Wanders hither and
thltker, shuns his former places of amuse-
ment, avoids his military companions,
and, IN short, is miserable as a lover can
we'll be thus disappointed --fs $40
One night, just after he had left his ho-
tel on foot, a figure muff1ed to the very
ears, stopped him. p 81 --at>7 i7a-
'Well, Monsieur, what would you with
me-" asked the soldier.
"You would know the name of the
white domiRo? was the reply.
81 would, indeed. replied the officer,
hastily. How can it be done?" ..
Follow me".sl g.. -.l---tts s.- r.
"TO the end of the earth, if it viii
bring me to her" -
But you must be blindfOlded." b. I'd
every we'll" a- --
"Step into this vehicle"
al am at your commando g.L.E
And away ratified the youthful soldier
and his companion.
"This may be trick," reasoned Eugene
Mervflle. "but have no fear of personal
violence. 1 am armed with this trusty
saber, and can take care of myself
But there was no cause to fear since he
soon faund the vehicle stop; and he was
led, blindfolded, into the house. When
the bandage was removed from his eyes,
he found himself in richly furnished
beudoir, and before him stood the white
domino, just as he had met her at the
masked ball. To fall upon his knees and
tell her how much he thought Of her dur
ing their separation, that his thoughts
had never left her, that he loved her de-
votedly, Was as natural as to breathe; and
he had SO, CALAMITY and sincerely
''Shall believe all you say?" H-
"Lady, let me prove it by any test you
may put upon me" "l-...a l.l. -. az -.
"KnoW, then, that -the-feelings you
avow are mutual. Nay, unloose your
arm from my waist 1 have something
more to say -
"Talk on forever, ladyl Your voice is
music to my ears ---
"Would you marry me, knowing no
more of me than you now dor
"Yes, if you were to 90 to the very al
tar maskedl' he replied. la.
IL 'sThen will test you"
"How, lady?" 49,.
"For one year be faithful to the love
you have professed, and will be yours
as truly as heaven shall spare my life"
. 80, cruel suspenseF a...-
"You demur?i
NAY, dearest lady, I shall fulfill your
| injunchons as 1 promised"
''If, at the expiration of one year, you
do not hear from me, then the contract
shall be null and void. Take this half
ring, and when supply the broken por-
ton 1 will be yours"
de kissed the little emblem, and again
and again to be faithful, and pressing her
hand to his lips, bAde her adieu.
He was conducted away as mysteri-
ously as he had been brought thither; nor
could he by any possible means discover
where he had been, his companion reject
in all bribes and even refusing to answer
the simplest questions.
Months rolled on. Colonel Meryille is
true to his VOW, and happy in the antici-
patton of love- Suddenly he was ordered
on an embassy to Vienna, the gayest o.
all the European capitals, about the time
that Napoleon was planning to marry the
Arehduchess Maria Louisa. The young
Colonel is handsome, manly, and already
distinguished in arms, and, Of course be