Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-06-13
4" Then ! will test you.
- -,

"How. lsdyf"
:" For one year be faithful to lhe love ycu
have professed, and will then be yours-as
truly as heaven shall spare ny .ife.'
"Ub, cruel suspensel"
"You dcmur p
"Nay, dearest lady, l shall fulEll yous IN
Junction as promised"
"lf, at the expiration OF year, yon do mol
hear from me, then the contract shall he nrll
and void. Take this hslf-rius. and when
supply the broken portion will be yot;rs."
He kissed the little emblem, swore again and
again to be faithful, and pressing her hand to
his lips, bads her adier.
lie was conducted away Gs mysteriously as
he had been brought thiiher; nor could he by
any possible means discover where be hac
been, his coinpanion rejecting all brides and
even refusing 10 answer the simplest questions.
Months roll on. Colonel Mesville is true to
his vow, and happy in the anticipation Of lote.
Suddenly he was ordered on an embassy to
Vienna, The gayest Of all the European capi-
tails, about the time iha. EapolcOn was plan
ming to marry the Archduchess Maria Louise.
The young Colonel is handsome. manly, and,
Of course, becomes at once great fovoriie at
court, every effort being made by the women
to captivate him, but in vain lie is constant
and true TO his vow.
But his hear, is not made OF stone. The
very fact that he had entertained such tender
feelings for the white domino. had doubtless
made him more susceptible than before.
At last lie met the young Baroness Caroline
Won Waldfof, and in spite Of his vows she
capiiyates him and be secretly curses the en-
eagement which he had so bIindly made a;
Paris. She seems 10 wonder at what she be-
lieves to be his devotion-aud yet the distance
he maintains The truth was, that his sense
Of honor was so great that, though he loved the
young baroness, and even she returned his az
fection, still be had given his word, and it wa:
eacred.
The satin domino Is nc lorset The ideal ot
his heart but assumes tho most repulsiye form
in his imagination and becomes, in the place
of bis good angel, bis evil genius.
Well, time rolls on he is to return 10 a
few days. 1t is once moro the Carnival sea-
son and 10 Vienna too, TIA, gay city. lie
Joins in the festivities Of .ho masked bill, and
wonder fills his brain, when about the middle
Of TIE evening, the white dou1uo steals before
him in tie same white satin dress he had seen
her wear year before at the French Opera
house in Paris
"I come, Colonel Eugene Merville, 10 hold
you 10 your pronisr," sbo said. laying hor
hand lightly upon his arm.
as this a reality or dream p asked tn,
amazed soldier.
Come, follow ME, and you shall see that il
is reality" continued the mask, pleasantly
"I will"
Have you been faithful TO your promise ?
asked the domino, as they relirsd into saloon
"Most truly, lady, in act but, alas !
fear not in heart"
Indeed y
at is too true. lady. tha. have seen and
loved another; though my vow to you has
kept me from saying so TO her"
"And who is ii that you thus lover"
al will be frank with you, and you vii
keep my secre.?"
"Most religously"
at is tue Baroness Won WaldroG," he said
with Sigh.
And you really love her"
"Aas only too dearly" said the young
soldier, sadly.
Nevertheless, I must hold you to you
Promise. Here is the other half Of the ring
can you produce ito mate?"
Here it is" said Eugene Mervills.
"Then !, too, heep my promise. said th'
domino, raising her mask. and showing to hi
astouished and delighted view the face Of the
Baroness Of Waldroff.
She had seen and loved him for lis manly
spirit aud character, aud having found By in,
quiry that he was worthy Of her love, she had
very adroitly managed this delicate intrigue
and had tested him, and now bestowed upon
him her wealth. title and affection.
They were married with great pohp, end
accompanied the Archdhchess To Paris. Ma.
poleon. to crown the happiness Of his favorite
made him at once a general OF division.