The Morning herald., 1878-05-04

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"Are you sure lsid replied she, smis.
chisvously, "that you love me as much les
you say9" = ~ is Z, " ',.,' '"' 10y ~ 1ld
'tCan you doubt mep" he asked. ''9i ; o
"But Lady Blanche La Medal Is il
possible that you have already forgot
ten her : That argues i'll for your con.
stancy." H,.,'i@' ,Eogr nj
''Pshaw, Maria, know not where you
learned of my Irritation with Blanche, but
be assured that she is not tho kind d psr-
son could love-" Hara 7a .ea9fg isa
'Well, believe you, Enstaes; but there
is still another" 7 h.G'ao' . noit Of r.
''Nay, there you wrong ms,", said Eas.
tacs, decidedly. ~ -'.' .' '.'' u
"Oh, faithless one !" she exclaimed
with mischievous laugh; ''then you have
already forgotten your inamorata and pre-
server, the mask ?" .r.
Eustace blushed as he replied,
IT see you have heard Of my foolish at-
tachment for one whose face have ,ney yer
seen. But, Maria, although I was fascinated
by the air Of mystery which surrounded
her, have never yet felt toward any fe-
male the same tender attachment have
for you." ."< go -
/ What need to further pry into the secrets
of the young coupler Suffice it that when
they separated Eustace had Maria's prom
ise that the happy day should not be. far
distant; but as he rode home he was very
deeply puzzled to know how she had dis
covered his former peccadillos. t,r io
A few days after Maria took fancy TO
spending few weeks in Seville. As her
will was virtually law, it was notlong ere the
De Icons and Del Montes were ensooneed
In their town residences. rl ~
A few days after their arrival there was
brilliant masquerade to be given. Maria ex-
pressed wish to attend, and Eustacs
offered to accompany her; her reply
was that her father would accompany her,
and that she would defy him to recognize
her. He declared it to be impossible, and
in return determined to disguise himself
SO as to prevent detection. 49, luutt l.
"Well, the eventful night came, and
Eustaee was there early. Earnestly he
searched the room with his eyes, but a.
though there were pretty girls in every
disguise, he could nowhere behold the
graceful form of his beloved. II was late;
the guests had all arrived, and Eustaee
feared that something had deferred Maria
from attending. He was about to leaye
the saloon when French Sheperdess, o
new arrival, brushed by him, attracting his
attention. Her mask was a peculiar one,
different from the black and white usually
worn. 1t was gilt one, beautifully chased,
and in the corner of the forehead contained
a small silver star. It was the mask Of the
unknown, who had once saved his ife.,
His strange affection for her suddenly re-
turned, and forgetting his anxiety about
Maria, he hastened TO her side and soon
led her to the dance. She conversed freely
with him, though evidently in an assumed
tone, Still he thought at times that her
voice was strangely familiar. "a 81
After the dance the Mask excused her
self for a moment and retired to an ante
room. Eustace waited for some time pa
tiently for her to appear; but as length p
thought struck him, and he hastily entered.
The only occupant was Greek Fisher
Girl, whose features were hidden by p
white silk mask. ... ....a a@,rs @
"My good GIRL" said he, 'can You teh
me which way little French shepsrdsss
took ?" .,., I'm
'sSenor De Leon seems to take strange
interest in that mysterious mask Of his,'
was the somewhat bitter reply. .'.1'l
maria ?" exclaimed, Eustace, astonished,
"you here7" .l.,a ...-f.oaJ- |
"Aye; you might have found me- sooner
had not your eyes been dazzled by the gif
mask" ,........ lagj
'I assure you, Maria, that ! searched
earnestly for you" .ss.~ aJt
i "It is of little consequence" " she replieds
coldly. IT must go now. I shall be hap
py to hear your excuses at some future
period; at present adois!" and she was
gone ere he could reply. lB uri
Eustace sat down, feeling very miserable.
| His conduct was sort of mystery, even y
himself. While he felt that he loved Maria
as well as man ever loved woman, yet
once in the presence of the Mask and
L.a ,uas or aars for none else. He