The Morning herald., 1878-05-04
The Gilt Mask. )

Two young mobiles were seated on the
pa,a Of palace in Seville.
"Rhat you tell me, Eustace," said the
k,3,., 'is sufficiently romantic to have
birinsted in the brain of the Knight Of
ha Manchs."
aYss; you know how ] have been one Of
hsisyored suitors of Blanche La Media,
b,handsomest and widest lady in Seville.
thought my heart was given up to
hsr y but the mysterious mask en-
louDtsred al the Dukes ball charmed
~
faithful Eustace |" cried his companion,
ughing. Doubtless you adore both
Blanche and her rival, who refused to
bow her face. IT'S hard to choose, I
sn." -I.s a..a-
'lt would 30 appear, for yesterday I re-
sired note warning me that ] had insured
shatsd of Lady Blanche, and that I
uA be on guard against assassins. Last
ibt ss I was returning home, on passing
pirhs piazza Of the Marquis D Almonte,
assassin sprang from behind a pillar,
hd would undoubtedly have murdered me
pdnots slight, boy-like figure interposed
ward of the blow. The cowardly villain
sn fed but when I turned to thank my
PiVersr she had fed"
'Sher .....
'Yss for, though I got but a moment
ygimpss Of her, yet the shape of the
Bus, and the long tresses which had
llen from beneath the cap she wore, con-
nesd me that I had been saved by wo-
y. Although the note I had received
sunSiged, yet ii was written in deli
atsmale hand. Can I doubt that my
TlOr and the mask are one ?"
Well then, your course is plain. Dis
Yer your inamorata, and if she is worthy
you marry her. It is plain that she
Isyou."
tits impossible, tho estates of the De
P'I and the Del Monies join together.
% Marquis Del Monte has a daughter
Pn Saidto be very beautifui; but I have
'@en her for years. In early life we were
naed, and our marriage is newt
an
fernando remained buried in deep
agAt for a few minutes. At length he
l'stace, you must crush this strange
HAnent for one whom you have never
Your honor Is pledged, and you
SVed this Maria Del Monte. To avoid
ppatlon you must quit Seville. A
AAs absence win eface the memory Of
Unknown, who is doubtless some in
sDng adventurer. I viii accompany you
'0St to your fathers estate. Let ut
'et0.morrow."
loar counsel Is hard, Fernando" said
'1ce' with emotion, "but I feel it is TO,
'''s' Twill even do as you say"
'As next day, to the great surprise oi
s0od people Of, Seville, the gayest
IS sallants in town, Eustace De Leor
fernando D'Artois had disappeared.
couple Of days ride, and Eustace wal
more domiciled beneath the roof o.
Io,'siathers, to the great delight of th'
Ooant. The latter also cordially vel
sa the friend Of his son. The Marquis
40nte called over during the morning
was surprised and pleased to NEE
~. dinner Eustace- accompanied tn
sun TO visit his betrothed. The oil
'Snsn,. after conducting hin. t.
entrance Of her boudoir, msrsl.
J
% your old playmate, Eustacs D.
= and pushing him in, retired
~ The young 7folEs 10 their tsts-a
ava -. LIq- 10 .5Lt ,U0i .-' -.t.
80 was engaged, in embroidery whel
'aS 30 unceremoniously disturbed
40ss and bowed, rather coldly 70 Eui
saying: "a -''' s1.@r
4 'air even, senor." /. ..g, ~.
taStaes sazsd d upon on the lovely q,
~ nadly q. t9 ta9nd desperately in love, an
y 'osnts Of Lady. Blanche, and tn
~ y mask quilted his mind, as wit
1ae limbs he sank on his knees an
s% his passion. -. :. -.