Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-07-29
and now and then hazarded pressure
Of the hand, and at length whispered
the desire to sneak to her alone.

COuuuGltldl w COA W..
81 have also something confidential
to tell you, and will see you when the
ball is over" responded Blanca sadly
,.Wait until then, ! beg of you, for
trust you will understand me and be
willing to render me justice"
"Justice !" replied du Pres, surprised
by her answer.
eyes," she resumed, shut do not try
to comprehend my meaning you can.
not until I explain" Then recalling
although with seeming effort, her gay
ETY., she extended her hand, adding,
-"Come, it is our time to dance.
Du Pres at first knew not what te
think, but, absorbed in his own feelings
on reflection, he concluded that Bianca's
reply gave him reason to hope and fed
by this thought he gave himself up to
dreams of future happiness.
The quadrille over, de Savigny app
preached Mile. Marrelli to recall her
promise to waltz with him; and, leav-
ing her with his friend, Verneuil, has
lily left the drawing-room and des-
cended to the garden. But a short
time elapsed when de Savigny joined
du Pres. He also seemed anxious and
troubled; but, absorbed by his own
thoughts, his companion did not at first
observe his manner.
"Verneuii," exclaimed de Savigny,
"this evening has fixed my destiny"
"That is just what I was about to
say to you, replied du Pres.
II am in love-"
"And I also," added the listener.
ssThe woman I love is beautiful
Fancy an angel of loneliness when l
think of the possibility of failing in my
suit, I feel as if should 60 mad"
81 can sympathize," responded de
Savigny. "Never have dreamed of
so much beauty, combined with such
grace, as I see united in the woman to
whom my heart and its every aspira.
ton is given"
"The you are, indeed, in love-" said
du Pres.
"Who would not be with such a
woman, one whose character is pure
and gentle? | seem now to see her dark
lustrous eyes, her exquisitely moulded
head. Madonna.like in form, and | still
feel the influence of her seductive and
yoluptuous charms and her smile,
which touches the heart and reaches
the very soul"
While de Savigny spoke, du Pres
experienced strange sense of dread,
and with sudden impulse, he said:
"Whom do you love?"
"Who else but Blanca Marrelli, the
beautiful Italian. For her I would give
my very life; without her, existence
is valueless."
sBianca9" exclaimed du Pres, els
it Blanca you love?'
at is. responded de Savigny.
For moment there was silence;
each seemed oppressed by the same
sense of impending evil.
, "And you1" at length murmured de
Savigny.
81 also love Blanca Marrelli, replied
du Pres.
ssOur oath responded his listener.
Gas in the past, we will be true to
our vows" continued du Pres. Listen,
de Savigny, this rivalry must not
weaken our friendship. Blanca alone
shall decide
$50 be it," responded Savigny, ''but
it is just to say that ] have already
heard sufficient from Blanca this eve'
ming to believe in the certainty of being
loved by her.
"On my part, I believe you to be de.
ceived," said du Pres, ''snd you compe
me to acknowledge that l have faith
that ! am |hei choice"
81 doubt" replied de Savigny.
! s'Listen, then, and / viii tell you,tha'
you may judge for yourself"
'.No, listen to me, and you will per-
ceive that you are in error"
sWell, we are mutually confident,
exclaimed du Pres; ''but of one thing
I am certain, Blanca intends to an.
nounce to one of US our triumph ovel
the other"
Gas to me, I am resolved never te
resign in your favor" responded d.
, Savigny, holly. 81 love Blanca Mar
relli, and she must be mine"
"Never while I live to dispute he
, love-" said du Pres.
eve will see, was the firm answer
'sThen, du Pres, we are, l suppose
! to forswear our long-tried friendship
and be faithless to our oath"
ssDo you still desire to respect tina
/ oaths' replied du Pres.
il "Yes!" exclaimed de Savigny, and
: here demand that our agreement b
carried out.
4 ssShould the game nrove favorable {