Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-05-23
THE GILT MASK.
Two young robles were seated o

'What you tell me, Eustace, sal
the elder, is sufficiently romanti
, to have originated i'll the brain {
the Knight of La Mapcha.'
Yes you know how | have bee
one of the favored suitors G
Blanche La Media, the handsomes
and widest lady i'll Seville.
thought my heart was given up t.
her-but :he mysterious mask
encountered at the Dukes bal
charmed me-
Faithful Eustace cried his com
panion, laughing. Doubtless yol
adore both Blanche and her rival
who refused to show her face. I'll.
hard to choose, [ fear
1t would so appear, for yester-
day l received note warming me
that l had insured the hatred o
Lady Blanche, and that l must be
on guard against assassins. Las
night, as ! was returning home, Oh
passing under the piazza of the
Marquis D'Almonte, an assassin
sprang from behind a pillar, and
would undoubtedly have murdered
me had not a slight, boy-like figure
interposed to ward off the blow
The coward!y villain then fed ; but
when 1 tuned to thank my deliver
or she had fled
'She!'
Yes for, though l got but a
momentary glimpse of her, yet the
shape of the figure, and the long
tresses which had fallen from be
meath the cap she wore, convinced
me that | had been saved by wo
man. Although the note [ had
received was unsigned, yet it was
written in a delicate female hand.
Can doubt tina. my savior and the
mask are one?'
We'll, then, your course is plain.
Discover your inanorata, and if
she is worthy of you marry her.
1t is plain that she loves YOU
1t Is impossible, the estates of
the DeLeons and the Del Monies
join together. The Marquis Del
Monte has a daughter Maria, SAID
to be very beautiful; but l have
not seen her for years. In early
life we were betrothed, and oGr
is Inevitable
Fernando remained buried In
deep thought for few minutes.
At length be said
'Eustace, you must crush this
strange attach ment for Que whom
you have never seen. Your honor
IS pledged, and you must wed this
Nj aria Del Monte. To avoid temp
ation you must quit Seville. A
months absence will efface The
memory of this unknown, who is
some intriguing adven-
urer. I will accompany you on
visit to your fathers estate. Let
is leave tomorrow.
Your counsel is hard, Fernan-
10, said Eustace, with emotion,
but | feel it is for the best. l will
eveG do as you say
The next day, to the great sur
'rise of the good people of Ser
lille, the gayest young gallants in
own, Eustace De Leon and Fer
lando D,Artols had disappeared.
A couple of days ride, and Eus
ace was once more domiciled be.
,eath the roof of bis for efathers, 10
he great delight OF the old Count.
The latter also cordially welcomed
he friend of his son. The Mar
luis Del Moute called over during
he morning, and was surprised
md pleased to meet Eustace.
After dinner Eustace accompa-
nied the Marquis to visit his be
The old gentleman, after
conducting him to the entrance of
aer boudoir, merely said:
Maria. your old playmate, Eus-
ACE De Leon and pushing him
n, retired, leaving the young folks
20 their tete a.tete.
Maria Was engaged in embroide.
y when she was so unceremonious.
y disturbed. She arose and bowed
'ather coldly TO Eustace, saying:
A fair even, SeDor.'
AS Eustace gazed upon the love
y girl be fell madly and desperate
y In love, and all thoughts of Lady
Blanche and the strange mask
luieted his mind, as with trembling
limbs he sank on bis knees and de
,lared his nasSion
Are you sure?' replied she, mis-
cbievously, that you love me as
much as YOU say?'
'Can you doubt me?' he asked
But Lady Blanche La Media Is
it possible that you have already
forgotten her? That argues ill fol
your constancy.'
'Pshaw, Maria, I know not where
you learned of my fi,tation with
Blanche but be assured that she
is not the kind of person l could
love-
We'll, I believe you, Eustace ;
but there is still another
Nay, there you wrong me- said
Eastace. decidedly.
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