The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-09-03
Select Story.
rHE MASKED BALL.

E..
Tome. make haste, listen to the mu-
sic We shall be too late for the first
danccI said II Spanish gentleman to his
companion. as they were approaching
the grand building containing the ball
room.
But, my friend, there are other things
that attract my attention besides dan
ciug. Now, look there. See how grand
ly the dome of the great Cathedral re
licvcs itself against the beautiful sky.
See where the moon peeps through the
windows of its cloud-built palaces as if
watching us at our pranks tonight
There's sky for YOU BY heaven, how
quickly it changes its form. Look now
at that ray of silver light skipping from
cloud TO cloud, climbing up with undi-
minishcd luStre in the azure deep Of the
| heavens dome. Oh. that it would re
main until could fix it upon the can
/ yasS.'
oh, never mind your canvass and the
moon. Listen to the sweet strains OF
Strauss that inspire the body to all the
/ graces Of motion and make poetry OF
/ love and wOmenl
While the last speaker was striving tc
pull his artist friend after him, who still
stood and gazed in rapture on the pic
lures the moon and clouds were making
on the heavens, the broad heavy wheel.
OF Il clumsy Spanish coach, with it.
tia~hy trimmings of brass sparkling il
the silver light of the nights goddess
! drove up close to the doorway of the
grand hall. In moment more two fig
ures in mask alighted from the coach
The female figure was covered from
head to foot with rich scarlet saith
domino which trailed its heavy fold.
upon the pavement. The effects of III,
moonlight upon the scarlet satin, when
for a few moments, she stood with it
glow, were mayelously fue. The brigh
colors seemed to lend stecl-blue clfec
to the surrounding objects. While tn,
artist was struck with these new revela
ton> Of color his music mad friend ben
forward, grasped the mantle of the ar
tist. and in sort of half-yoice said:
She's picture far cXcelling you
moon and cloud-built-palaces. Eet's Sc
if we can get glimpse of her fair face
His eyes intently followed the move
mcnt of the lady, who took the arm 0
ON old man, bent with years and appa
rcntly her father, and when the coupl
landed on the grand stairway to the ba'
room, he exclaimed:
What motion. Did you ever see
more graceful wake The lightness c
her step appears beyond reality-a thin
of fancy. Let us await her return fror
the toilet room. She may forget he
mask
With these remarks he pulled h
friend after him, and with few stcl
our two gay.gentlcmen We're standing o
the upper stairway opposite the toll,
chamber. As the fairy stepped with
the door the old gentleman escort wake
mp and down awaiting her return. 81
soon appeared. And, diycstcd of Ii,
scarlet mantle, presented form of e
qui-ilc symmetry. Her costume was
u mountain maid, Of the Swiss charactc
the colorS of gray, blue and black, wit
the skirt just short enough to expose Il
inspiring outlines of her beautiful ank
aud charming little feet These add
tional charms still more engrossed o.
friend. But her scarlet mask, with i
fringe of black lace, was still upon h
face and he could see nothing more thu
her chin and lovely throat The o
man, who seemed to have no other d
@ui,e than his black mask, extended /
arm to his lady companion, and enter
the bah room, followed by our {,
friends who were handsomely attircd
the dress Of cavalier and peasant
The room was quite blaze of bcaut
'lhr NmiO@atcd lights the glitter of \
rious costumes, the rStlmg of rich sil
and -atius, the perfumes cNhalcd irC
abundant beautiful flowers that adorn
the crowd of lovely women, and the gll
Of music, were almost bcwildering. i
still amid all this confusion. the ewes
ourcayalicr were cuotwithdrawn from t
object Of his pursuit, lie followed
arouud the room to where she seat
herself in a rustic chair Another
her side beng vacant our bold caval
gracefully flung himself into it, VII
hisspeasant friend began conversati
with the old-man, and in few nome
adroitly led him away. The cayal
used his opportunity, and, with the q
Of well educated gentleman, he beg
the conversation by saying
May take the pleasure of sitting
said you, my sweet mountain maid 2
with pleasure, signor and ! feel l
sell battered at your selecting me fir
the t'aaHpg OF so many preferable be
ties ,nat surround you. May / asl
yon know.me by chsnceY