The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-09-03

l
But he controlled his heightened admi-
ration with deep sighs, and said:
NO, indeed. ] am sure | have never
seen you before Nor have / ever heard
such sweetness of voice Bnt what
matters it if we have not met befurel
Let this night be blessed to me by our
recognition and friendship, if not by
love. Oh! new JOY from heaven! tell
me what star has been made more glori-
ous in being your birthplace
i fear you are tlatterer Besides,
beware of friendships made under masks.
They often disgust, give trouble and
prove disappointments'
My dear saint! disappointments have
no part in thee
In one sense true, for there can be no
deception when once my mask is re-
moved. And if | am to Judge by your
uncovered face candor that abhors de
ception is a noble part of your charac-
teri
i thank you for the compliment. Have
YOU ever seen me before!'
no, signor; but feel that you must
be an artist, possessing either the sculpt
ors Jealous skill, or the poets power to
touch the soul and please the heart. As
| am not fit subject for the former, per
haps you will time thoughts in some
sweet measure to my laudation.
i am poet; but to sing your praise
you must tell me your name.
'Oh any name will do that suits your
poetic fancy, Say Phillis, Laura, Filina,
whatever name will awake your muse to
place me within the realm of poesy.
But cannot select the name best suit
ed to your many graces till ! have seen
your face which fancy must he beauti-
| full and will eXalt me to inspirations.
| should poets talk thus? | thought
they were always floating in the regions
of the ideal. Why should poets genius
need the presence of the object! No,
good cavalier, would moi have you trust
to the character of my face for the beau
ty of your lines for fear that my i'm
perfections would affect your muse
1t is true that poets do not always de
pend on objects for forms of thought
Nor, are we always satisfied with ou
illusions. But oh! your face must be I
garden of beauty, fresh, young and
warm, where naught but grace and re
iinemcnt exist, and fit for II king to feast
his eyes upon Come, | besecch you, lift
your mask for moment that | may say
| adore you
'Ah. poets have so many things to
{ adore that they should he banished from
Ill Christian countries.
And why so!'
IT you .ea'ly feel what you say yor
are idolatrous. If YOU do not, you ar,
dccettul lour craft needs no mask tor
yom excessive fancies ever deceive yo,
and others.
If that is so, then am proud Of
quality that is characteristic of your owl
p sex.
Fl Are women, then, so deceitful?
FL YES, my petty little mask. And ye
f I cannot say that men forgive the faul
rs freely as we should when we consde
D how many we ourselves deceive. But
! truce to talking, Time flies, and eacl
= moment is a pleasure lost in not behold
: ing your face, o, let me behold the pre-
) cious flower; do not hide its novelty q
: color and form beneath the leaves Q
n lace that border your mask. | entrea
:. thee, remove thy mask.
e Il cannot Should | do so all powe
:, to please you would be lost forever.
/. oh it is your modesty that says yo
n cannot. Iou are not to be confounde
II with the rest of women by supposn
S that you strive to hide a fault beneat
c the folds of silk which too often, lik
|, false coin. cheats us I'll swear by a
5 saints that your face is perfect. | st
It enough of your mouth to know
It Enough of your eyes, that like eXquisi
e gems send their sparklings through Il
/ peep holes of your scarlet mask, and
1t am sure your nosc.--.
+ Here she started and betrayed gre
confusion at the mention of ''nosc." fl
II an instant her delicate hand went to Il
e lace fringe and strove to pull it down,
: if to more cffcctually hide her nose. Fl
a moment. too, the cavilier showed son
u aStoniShmcnt ut her rather strange co
4 duct, and then in turn became confuse
ic fearing he had given some offense
ii rudcness of language He craved h
pardon, and while doing so the mounta
maid gently shook his hand, and SIN
lI ingly assured him that there was no
= Tense, yet added
IN But on no account can ! remove Il
er mask
But why NOT he warmly interrogat
rs again and again
70 because the delicious intimacy II,
- permitted under the cover of the ma
:; would at once he nj an end. while no
~ ~ my good cavalier, You speak to me
I' the language of an admirer, and | m
" say, in the words of a lover protest yo
~ alteration; but should take off the mD
nf You could not stay long enough To :
~ adicu.
~ oh You madden me with pcr1lcXiti
~ ~ til swear the light of heaven cannot
Nv veal another beauty half so fair as tn
w Oh, the euchantrcss of my heart,
" me
ur 'From the snatory OF thy face excenng,
ITS take Thy breath perrumed, that breedeth love
Icr smelling.
an Let me add another exclamation
'Id my praise of thee. Surfeit mine e
is with the mysterious beauty of thy fl
his rs the drcamlkc beauty of thy voice
ed awakened in my soul new sense
wo hearing Remove the mask
III And if | do, will you promise me
be more indulgcnt than the rest of II
~ who never pardon ugliness in women
VA i am different from others, if your
'NH innate of my sex is true. With me
on, run no risk the beauty of your form
leu | thp SNUpatupss nf Nnu, Vni,n will ot
isi' for other deficiency, and know the
SUI clation of your face will be beyond
OF power of art to express, Your della
,h' anguish to me cannot withhold
her Longer!
ted And here he moved forward as
at about to remove her mask, but she
her vented him by raising her hand
me saying;
Ioi' beware. you will be terror stmcl
MS | | 4. I 4