The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-07-21


| return for INV confidence, may / rs.-
| quest you to raise your mask
II can refuse You noIhing." said
Ernest
He raised his mask as he spoke, and
disclosed to the astonished eyes of the
baroness the wellknown features of
the King of Bavaria.
But thought you assured us that
the cavalier was Captain Ernest Won
Steinbergp exclaimed the reader. Let
US explain.
To give additional zest and pleasure
and complicate the mysteries of n mas
querade the courtiers had invented the
following expedient: they procured
fine wax likenesses of their friends of
eminent persons, and wore them under
their masks. When requested to de-
clare their identity they would raise
the outer mask, and the inner wax one,
seen for n moment, in most cases com
pletely deceived the spectator. 1t is
easy to imagine what an infinite field
for mystification this contrivance af-
forded. Captain Ernest had n friend,
sculptor, who had modelled bust of
the king, and from him he had pro-
cured n wax mask, beautifully colored,
and so well executed as to deceive the
eyes of the baroness for the moment
they rested OH it. Ernest, satisfied
with his success, replaced his black
velvet viziar, and continued the inter-
view.
"Yes, baroness" whispered the dis
gnised aid-de-camp, ''it is the king
who stands before you-not as your
king, but as your subject, your slave
the thrall of your beauty"
"Ah, sirel" sighed the belle of Mu-
mich, ''you are sporting with the sens
Utilities of a weak woman"
"No, by Heaven. lam not replied
the false king. 81 am incapable OF
that. Behold me at your feet, and
hear ME swear eternal allegiance to
your charms"
Rise, rise, sirel" said the baroness,
very much agitated. "We may be
seen or overheard"
"Long have ! thought" continued
the false king, "that beauties such as
yours should grace a throne"
"a throne!" echoed the baroness.
"But you are right" he continued
hurriedly. ''This is no time nor place
fer confidence like ours. Hark, the
clock is striking twelvel Willyou
trust my honor. and meet me at this
hour to morrow night!"
"Where, sir?" inquired the baron
'In the Chinese pavilion, i'm the
garden of the palace" he replied.
The wicket of the postern gate that
leads to the door of the pavilion shall
be left open for you"
The baroness gave him her hand.
Tomorrow night, at twelvel" said
she, and glided from the room.
ooh, woman, woman, woman"
said Ernest when left alone ''false as
fairl Is it ior this we rank you with
the angels But tremble, faithless one
your punishment shall be as bitter
as the agony suffer-
And he followed the baroness into
tho dancing saloon. He had no sooner
left the room than a masked figure
stole forth from beneath mass of
crimson drapery.
1.-The Chinese pavi!lion-to morrow
night at twelve!" said the stranger.
bravo. bravo! Captain Won Stein
berg!"
And he, too, vanished.
A few minutes before twelve o'clock
ON the following night Caytain Won
Steinberg, wearing his wax mask, un-
locked and entered the Chinese pavil-
lion in the royal garden. The inside
shutters OF the windows were closed,
so that he yepturad to produce q
match ana light wax taper, taking
cnre to place shade over 1t SO that the
room should be very dimly lighted.
After completing the arrangements he
glanced around, and started on seeing
the figure of a man near the table.
The stranger was dressed in the uni
form of an aid de camp, and wore a
mask upon his face.
"Who are your" demanded Ernest.
advancing to the intruder.
"Yon have Anticipated siruilar
question" replied the man.
But ! hgve q right to know" said
Ernest,
$50 have !, was the quiet answer.
'Sir9" said Ernest, placing his hand
on the hilt OF his saber.
so do L." replied the mask, ''bui
l reserve it for the enemies of Iby
country"
"Who are you, implore you to tell
me-" said Ernest.
"Ahi now you speak in a different
manner" said the stranger. Il, sire,
am Captain Won Steinherg, at your
service, aid de camp to his majesty th'
King of Bavaria,
| 'Tho deuce you arel" thought Err
nest.
but confidence for confidence,
said the impostOr. Now you mus
tell me who you are, and by wha
right find you in the royal pavilion
at this hour!"
by the best right in the world, re
piled Ernest. boldly. 81. sir, am tn,
King of Bavaria" and he raised hi
outward mask, displaying the feature
of the king.
| Pardon NE, sire, said the stranger
falling on his knee; ''but making IN,
rounds in the garden ! found tn
postern gate unlocked, and fearin,
treachery to your royal person
deemed it my duty to keep watch il
the pavilion, of which, as your males
ty Is aware, have duplicate key"
zounds, mani you haven't locke,
the postern, have you?" asked tn
pretended king.
mo, sir, !" replied the other, sit re
mains as found it."