Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-06-26
The Gilt Mask.

Two young nobleman were seated on
the piazza of palace in Seville.
What you tell me, Eustace," said
the elder. - is sufficiently romantic to
have originated in the brain of the
Knight of la Mancha.'
Yes: YOU know how | have been
one of the favored suitors of Blanche
La Media. the handsomest and widest
woman in Seville. thought my heart
was given up to her-hut the mvsteri-
Gus mask encountered at the Dukes
hall Charmed me-"
Faithful Eustace"' cried his COM
panion. laughing. Doubtless you adore
both Blanche and her rival, who refused
10 show her face. 'TiS hard to choose,
fear"
1t would so appear, for yesterday /
received note warning Inc that L had
incurred the hatred of Lady Blanche,
and that must be on guard against as
-assins. Last night, a. ] was RETURN
ing home. on passing under the piazza
of the Marquis D'Almonte, an assassin
,prang from behind pillar, and would
undoubtedly have murdered me had
not a slight, boy-like figure interposed
10 ward off the blow. The cowardly
villain then fed. but when | turned 20
thank nv deliverer she had fled"
"She:"
Yes; for, though | got but mo
mentary glimpse of her. yet the shape
ofthe figure. ana the long tresses which
had fallen from beneath the cap she
wore. convinced me that | had been
saved by woman. Although the note
had received was unsigned. yet il was
written in delicate female hand. Can
doubt that my savior and the mask
are One!'
We'll. then your course is plain.
Discover your inamorata, and if she Is
worthy of Won marry her. 1t is plain
that she loves you
1T is impossible; the estates of the
De Icons and the Del Monies join to-
gether. The Marquis Del Monte has a
daughter Maria, said to be very beauti-
full, but | have not seen her for years
In early life We were betrothed, and
our marriage is inevitable"
Fernando remained buried in deeT
thought for few minutes. At length
he said:
"Eustace. YOU must crush this strang,
attachment for one whom you have
never seen. Your honor is pledged
and YOU must wed this Maria De
Monte. To avoid temptation you mus
quit Seville. A months absence vii
efface the memory of this unknown
who is doubtless some intriguing ad
yenturer. will accompany you on
visit to your fathers estate. Let III
leave tomorrow"
Your counsel is hard, Fernando,
said Eustace, with emotion, but fee
il is for the best. will even do as yOI
say
The next day To the great surpris'
of the good people of Seville. the gayes
Young gallants in town, Eustace ID
Leon and Fernando D'ArtOis had dis
appeared.
A couple of Gays ride, and Eustae'
was once more domiciled beneath tn
roof of his forefathers. TO the great de
light of the Count. The latter als'
cordially welcomed the friend of hi
son. The Marquis Del Monte calle'
over during the morning. and was sur
prised and pleased to meet Eustace.
After dinner Eustace accompanied
the Marquis TO visit his betrothed. IN
old gentleman, after conducting him t
the entrance of he boudoir, merei.
said:
Maria, your old playmate, Eustac
De Leon, and pushing him in, retired
leaving the young folks to their tefe-o
tete.
Maria was engaged in embroider
when she was so unceremoniously di'
turbed. She arose and bowed rathe
cOldly to Eustace, saying
" \ fair evening, Senor.
As Eustace gazed upon the Lowell
SlEl he Icll lndulN anu NS@PSA"N'-
love. and all thoughts of Lady Bianeh
ard the strange mask quilted his mine
as with trembling limbs he sank on hi
knees and declared his passion.
Are you sure?" replied she, mi
chievously, "that you love me as niue
as you say:"
"Can you doub; me?'' he asked.
" But Lady Blanche La Media. Is
possible that you have already forgo
ten her? That argues i'll for your col
stancy."
Pshaw, Maria, know not Nhel
you learned of my Irritation VIII
Blanche; but be assured that she Is m
the kind of person could love-"
"Well, believe You, Eustace; o'
there is still another"
Nay, there you wrong me, sa
Eustace, decidedly.
"Oh, faithless one!" she exclaime
with mischievous laugh; "then yt
have already forgotten your inamora
and preserver, the maskg
Eustace blushed as he replied:
II see you have heard Of my fooits