Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-12-17

tude, was perfectly mpenetrable.
Therefore, when he found the rose-col-
ored domino at last, he hesitated not to
address her.
Good evening, fair mask"
Good evening, gallant cavalier. But
how know you that l am fan?''
"Were / to pronounce You the fairest
in Munich, none would dispute your
title"
''Do you know me?'
''The belle of Munich hides her face
in vain, answered Ernest. ''That in
imitable foot and hand are her betray-
ers."
"You may be mistaken after ALL"
81 can not be, and claim the hand"
said Ernest; ''and will find employment
for that dainty foot. The music sounds;
let's away to the dance"
81 believe my hand is promised al
ready" answered the fair one, $50 take
it quickly before some one disputes the
prize with you"
The next minute they were whirling
round the vast saloon to music that
might keep dancers on their feet for
life. Anna leaned upon the shoulder of
her partner, and he breathed into her
ear words that she could not listen to
without a thrill of pleasure
At the conclusion Of the dance, Ernest
found themselves quite alone.
''You persist, then," said the lady,
sin calling me the Baroness Won Graffen-
berg?"
eff had doubted before, your dane
ing would have convinced me. The
leader of the Sylphides is known by her
STEP"
"Well, you have q hessed right. And
now in return for my confidence. may
request you to raise your mask?'
81 can refuse you nothing" said
Ernest Won Steinberg.
He raised his mask as he spoke, and
disclosed to the astonished gaze of the
baroness the we'll known features of King
Louis, of Bavaria.
"But thought you assured us that
the cavalier was Captain Ernest Won
Steinberg,' exclaims the reader.
Let us explain. To give additional
facts and pleasure and complicate the
| mysteries of masquerade, the sUurtiers
of Louis XIV of France had invented
the following expedient They procured
| fine wax ikenesses of their friends, or
eminent persons land wore them under
their masks. When requested to de-
clare their identity, they would raise
the outer mask and the inner wax one,
seen for a moment, in most cases COM
pletely deceived the spectator. It is
easy to imagine what an indefinite field
| for mystifcation this contrivance afford.
| ed.
Captain Ernest had a friend, a sculp-
tor, who had model bust of the king.
and from him he had procured wax
mask, beautifully colored, and SO well
executed as to deceive the eyes Of the
Baroness for the moment they rested OF
it. Ernest, satisfied with his success
replaced his black velvet visor, and con
tinued the interview.
eyes, baroness" whispered the dis
guised ald-de-camp, cit is Louis who
stands before you-not as your king
but as your subject, your slave-tht
thrall of your beauty"
"Ah, SIRE. replied the belle OF Mu-
Mich, "you are sporting with the sensi
bilities of weak woman
"No, by heaven!" replied the raiset
king. II am incapable of that. Behold
me at your feet and hear me swear eter
nal allegiance to your charms"
much agltated. eve may be seen 0,
overheard.
"Long have I thought" continued
the false king, "that beauty such a
yours should grace Il throne
IA throne!' echoed the baroness.
, But you are right he eontinue'
hnrriedly; ''this is no time or place 70
! confidence like ours. Hark. The clocl
! is striking twelve. Will yon trust t
l my honor, and meet me at this hour to
morrow night?"
Where, sire?"
''In the Chinese pavilion in the gal
den of the palace. The wicket of til
postern gate that leads to the door c
: : the pavilion shall be left open for you.
! The baroness gave him her hand,
Tomorrow night at twelve" sal
= she, ard glided from the room.
ooh, woman. woman, woman" sal
:; Ernest, when alone "False rs fair
= = it for this we rank you with the angel
But tremble faithless one-vour punisl
9 ment shall he as bitter as the agony
suffer.
6 And he followed the baroness into tt
dancing saloon.
! He had no sooner left the room tina
! q masked figure stole forth from benea'
4 mass of crimson drapery.
~ The Chinese pavilion to-morro
. night, at twelve O'clock" said Il
= stranger Bravo, bravo. Captain ve
- Steinberg."
And he. too. vanished.
I'll 4 few minutes before II o'clock {
IS the following night, Captain Won Stei
berg, wearing his wax mask, unlock.
j. and entered the Chinese pavilion i'll Il
a. royal garden. The inside shutters
"a the windows were closed SO that
re- ventured to produce a match and lig
,e a wax taper, taking care to place sha'
a over it, so that the room should he We
d dimly lighted. After completing 4
ir arrangements, he glanced around al
r. started on seeing the figure of Hi
IF near the table. The stranger "
IL dressed i'll the uniform of an aldo
\, camp. aud wore mask upon his facs,