Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-02-07
TRIED AND TRUE.


and Colonel Eugene Merville, an at
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 firts 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 vacant eye, his attention
was suddenly aroused by the appear
ance of a 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 loveliness.
Though in so mixed an assembly.
still there was a reserve and dignity in
the manner of the white domino that
rather repulsed the idea of a 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 Merville offers his arm, and with
his broad shoulders and stout frame
wards off the danger. 1t was delight
full moment; the lady spoke the purest
French, was witty, fanciful, and capti-
waiting.
"Ah lady, pray raise that mask,
and reveal to me the charms of feature
that must accompany so sweet voice
and so graceful form as you possess. :"
"You would, perhaps, be disap-
pointed"
"No, am sure not"
Are you so very confident ?"
eyes. I feel that you are beautiful
it cannot be otherwise
"Don't be too sure of that" said the
domino. "Have you never heard of
the Irish poet Moore's story of the
yelled prophet of Khorasan-how, when
he had disclosed his countenance, its
hideous aspect killed his beloved one.
How do you know but that I shall turn
out yelled prophet of Khorasan ?"
"Ah, lady, your every word 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
upon his swiftest 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
place of amusement, avoids his mill
tary companions, and; in short, is mis-
erable as lover can well be thus dis
appointed. One night, just after he
had left his hotel on foot, q figure
muffied 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.
=" I would, indeed" replied the Off
Ger hastily. How can it be done ?"
"Follow me-"
"To the end of the earth, if it will
bring me to her,"
"But you must be blindfolded."
every we'll"
Step into this vehicle"
" / am at your command"
And away ratified the youthful sol
dier and his strange companion. "This
may be trick" reasoned Eugene Mer
vile, "but I have no fear of persona
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 ht
was led, blindfolded into the house
When the bandage was removed from
his eyes, he found himself in a richly
furnished boudoir, and before hin
stood the white domino Just as he me
her at the masked ball. To fall upol
his knees and tell her how much h,
thought of her since their separation
that his thoughts had never left her
that he loved her devotedly, was a
natural as to breathe, and he did 8,
gallantly and sincerely"
"Shall I believe all you say?"
Lady, let me prove it by any tes
you may put upon me"
" Know, then, that the feelings yo'
avow are mutual. Nay, unloose you
arm from my waist. have something
more to say"
Talk on forever, lady Your voic
is music to my heart and ears"
would you marry me, knowing n
more of me than you now do ?"
Yes, If you were to go to the YER
altar masked r he replied.
"Then will test YOU"