Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-10-16
TRIED AND TRUE.

1h1EU AMI 1hChs
1t was the Carnival season in Paris, and
Colonel Eugene Merville, an attache of the
great Napoleon's 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 flirts but little with
the gay figures that cover the floor, and joins
but seldom in the waltz. But at last, while
standing thoughtfully and regarding the as
sembled throng with vacant eye, his atten-
tiou was suddenly aroused by the appearance
of person in white satin domino, the uni
versal elegance 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
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 vo'
lent 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. It was a
delightful moment; the lady spoke the purest
French, was witty, fanciful and captivating.
"Ah lady, pray raise that mask, and re-
veal to me the charms Of feature that must
accompany so sweet voice and so graceful
form as you possess"
"You would, perhaps, be disappointed"
"No, am sure not"
care you so very confident p
eyes. feel that you are beautiful-it can
not be otherwise"
Don't be too sure of that" said the domi-
no. "Have you never heard Of the Irish poet
Moore's story of the yelled prophet of Kho-
rassan-how, when he disclosed his counte.
nance, its hdeous aspect killed his beloved
one. How do you know that shall not turn
out yelled prophet of Khorassan"
"Ah, lady, your every word convnccs me
to the contrary" replied the enraptured sol
dier. whose heart had begun to feel as it ncv-
er felt betore-he was in love.
She eludes his efforts at discovery, but per-
mits him to hand her to her carriage, which
drives off in the darkness, and though he
throws himself upon his Aeetest 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 thither, shuns his
former places of amusements, avoids his mill
tary companions, and, in short, is miserable as
a lover can we'll be thus disappointed. One
night, just after he had left his hotel on foot,
figure muftled up to the very ears, stopped
him.
"Well, monsieur what would you with me ?"
asked the soldier.
"You would know the name Of the white
domino ?" was the reply.
81 would, indeed p replied the officer has
tily. Chow can it be done?"
"Folow me-"
"To the end of the earth if it will bring me
to her."
"But you must be blindfolded."
Every we'll"
"Step in the vehicle"
al am at your command
And away ratified the youthful soldier and
his strange companion. "This may be
trick" reasoned Eugene Mervlle, "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 bandage was removed from his eyes, he
found himself in a richly furnished boudoir,
and before him stood the white domino just
as he met her at the masked ball. 10 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 gallantly and sincerely.
"Shall I believe all you say?"
Lady, let me prove it by any test you may
put upon me-
"Know, then, that the feelings you avow
are mutual. Nay, unloose your arm from
my waist. have something more to say
"Talk on forever, lady Your voice is
music to my heart and cars"
"Would you marry me, knowing no more
of me than you now do?'
Eyes, if you were to 90 to the very altar
masked!' he replied.
"Then I will test you"
"How, lady?"
"For one year be faithful to the love you
have professed, and 1 will be yours-as true
as heaven shall spare my life"
"Oh! cruel suspense"
"You demur.'
"Nay, lady, I shall fulfill your injunctions
as promised"
"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 contln.
ued, and when supply the broken portion
will be yours"
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