The Van Buren press., 1874-03-17

not hear from, then the contract shali Oe
null and void. Take this half ring, she
continued, "and when supply the
broken portion l will be yours. "
He kissed the little emblem, swerc
again and again to be faithful, and pressed
her hand to his lips bade her adicu.
He was conducted away as mysterious
ly as he had been brought thi'her; nor
could he by any possible means discover
where he had been, his companions re-
jecting all brides, and refusing to answer
the simplest questions.
Months roll Oh Colonel Merville is
true to his vow, and happy in the ant'ci-
patton of love. Suddenly he was ordered
on an embassy to Vienna, the gayest Of
all the European capitals, about the time
that Napoleon was planning to marry the
rch dneb. ss Maria Louisa. The Young
Colonel Is hand come, manly, and already
distinguished in arms, and becomes at
once great favorite AT court, every Ell
fort being made by the women to capt.
vate him, but in vain he is constant and
true to his vow.
But his heart 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 he met the young Baroness
Caroline Won Waldrefl, and in spite of
his VOWS she captivates him, and he SC.
cretly curses the engagement he had SO
blindly made at Paris. She seems to
wonder at what she believes to be his de.
votion-and yet the distance he main
tans! The truth was that his sense Of
honor was SO great that, though he felt
he loved the young baroness, and even
she returned his affection, still he had
gwen his word, and that was sacred.
The satin domino is no longer the ideal
Of his heart, but assumes the most i'm
pulsive form in his Imagination, and be
comes, in place of his good angel, his
evil genius.
Well, time rolls on; he IS to return in
few days-it is once more the carnival
season and in Vienna, too, that gay city,
He joins in the festivities Of the masked
ball, and wonder ills his brain. when,
about the middle Of the evening, the
white domino steals before him in the
same white satin dress he had seeu her
wear year before at the French Opera
House in Paris. Was it not a fancyp
IL come, Colonel Eugene Merville, to
hold you to your promise, she said,
laying her hand lightly upon his arm,
:" Is this a reality or dream - asked
the amazed soldier.
Come, follow me, and you shall see
that it is a reality, continued the mask,
pleasantly.
~ will +"
Have you been faithful to your
promise 7" asked the domino, as they re-
tired into q saloon
Most truly in act; but, alas, ! fear
not in heart "
Indeed"
at is too true, lady, that have seen
and loved another; though my vow to
you has kept me from saying so to ber.
"And who is it that you lover
81 will be frank with you, and you
will keep my secret. "
"Most religiously"
"It is the Baroness Won Waldrof, :"
he said, with sigh.
"And you really love her ?"
"Alas! only too dearly" said the SOL
der, sadly
Nevertheless must hold you to your
promise. Here is the ether half of the
ring can you produce its mate ~
"Hcre it is, said Eugene Mervillc.
"Then l, too, keep my promise, said
the domino, raising her mask, and show
ing to his astonished view the face Of the
Baroness Won Waldrof
She had seen and loved him for his
manly spirit and character, and having
found by inquiry that be was worthy Of
her love, she had managed this delicate
intrigue, and had tested him, and now
gave him hor wealth, title, and every
thing.
They were married with great pomp,
and accompanied the archduchess to Par.
is. Napoleon, to crown the happiness of
his favorite, made him at once a general
of division.