The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-11-05

leaned upon the shoulder of her partner,
and he breathed in her ear words that
she could not listen to without thrill OF
pleasure.
At the conclusion of the dance Ernest
led her into a side room, in which they
found themselves quite alone.
you persist, then, said the lady, ain
calling me the Baroness Won Gratfen-
berg?"
"If | had doubted before, your dancing
would have convinced me. The leader of
the sylphides is known by her step"
"Well, you have guessed right. And
now, in return for my confidence, may l
request you to raise your mask p
al can refuse you nothing, said Ernest
Won Steinberg.
lie raised his mask as he spoke, and
disclosed to the astonished gaze of the
baroness the well known features of King
Louis of Bavaria.
"But 1 thought you assured US that the
cavalier was Captain Ernest Won Stein
berg, exclaims the reader.
Let us explain. To give additional zest
and pleasure, and complicate the mysteries
of masquerade, the courtiers of Louis XIV.
Of France, had invented the following ex-
pedient They procured fine wax likeuesses
Of their friends, of eminent persons, aud
wore them under their masks. When re-
quested to declare their identity, they
would raise the outer mask, aud the inner
wax one, seen for a moment, in most cases
completely deceived the spectator. 1t is
easy to imagine what an indefinite held
for mysti6cation this contrivance afforded
Captain Ernest had friend, sculptor,
who had modelled bust of the king, and
from him be bad procured wax mask,
beautifully eolored, aud so well executed
as to deceive the eyes Of the baroness for
the moment they rested on It. Ernest,
satisfied with his success, replaced his black
velvet visor, aud continued the interview.
AYES, baroness, whispered the disguis-
cd aid.de-camp. III is Louis who stands
before you--not as your king, but as your
subject, your slave-the thraIl Of your
beauty"
"Ah, sire, replied The belle Of Munich,
"you arc sporting with the sCnsibiliiies OF
weak woman"
"No, by heaven r replied the false king,
II am incapable Of that. Behold me at
your feet, aud hear me swear eternal ale
glance to your charms.
Rise, sire, rise r said the baroness,
very much irritased. "We may be seen
OF overheard.
Long have thought, continued the
false king, "that beauty such ss yours
should grace a throne
"A throne = echoed the baroness
"But you are right, he cou,iaued,
hurriedly athiS IS DO time OF place for
eonkdeuces ike ours. Hark the clock IS
striking twelve. WIN yOa trust to my
honor, and meet me at this hOar ,o-mor.
r0w night
Where, sire p
In the Chinese payiIliou in the gardsn
Of the palace. The wicket Of the postern
gate that leads to the door og the pavilion
shall b leit open for you.
The bar0acss gave him her hand
@TO-mOFrow night AZ twelve, said she,
and glided from the roOm.
sob, woman woman Womau said
Ernest, when alone-"falsc as fair Is il
for this We rzuk you with the angels +?
Bat tremble, faiihiess oae--your punish
ment shall Be as bitter IS The agoay | suf-
fer
And be followed the baroness inso the
dancing saloon. He had no seoaeT lofs
the room than = masked figure stole forth
from beneath 3 mas Of crimson dFapeEy
The Chinese paviIlioa 10 uaorTow night
At twelve, said the stranger. Bravo
bravo Captain von Sscinbcrg.
And be, loo, vanished.
A few minutes before twelve o clock on
the following n'gh,, Captain son Stein
berg, weAring his wax mask, unlock cd an3
entered the Chinese pavilli0a In the royal
garden. The inside shutters ef the via
dows were closed, 80 that be veatared 10
pfodaee a match and light a wax taper,
taking care TO place shade over il,
SO that the room should be very dinly
lighted. Aiger completing the arrange
menis, he glanced rOund, and started on
seeing the hgaFe Of man near the table.
The stranger was dressed in the uniform
Of an aid-de-eamp, and wore = mask upon
his face.
"Who arc you 2 demanded Ernest ad :
yancing to the intruder
"YOu have anticipated similar ques-
tion, replied the mask
4" Bat | have right 10 know" said
Ernest.
$50 have /, was the quiet answer.
"Sir," said Ernest, placing his hand
on the hilG Of his sabcr, Il wear sword. -
80 do /, replied the mask; "but /
reserve it for the enemies Of my country
''Who are you ? / implore you to tell
me, said Ernest
All, now yOu speak 10 a differen, man
ncr. l, sir, am Captain won Steinberg, At
your service, aid-de-eamp 10 his majesty
King Louis Of Bavaria.
"fhe deuce you are, thought Ernest.
But, confidence for confidence, said
the impOstor. "Now, you must tell me
who you are, and by what right | fnd you
in the royal pavilion at this hour"
By the very best right 10 the world,
replied Ernest, boldly. 81, sir, am King
Louis Of Bavaria, and he lifted his out
ward mask, displaying the features Of the
king.
Pardon me, sire, said the stranger,
falling on his knees; "but, making my
rounds 10 the garden, found the poslern
gate unlocked, and fearing treaehery to
your royal person, deemed it any duty to
keep watch in the pavilion, of which, as
your majesty is aware, | have duplicate
key
"Zounds, man you haven't locked the
postern, have you p asked the pretended
king.
"No, sire; it remains as | found it.
"Then, my good fellow, there is no harm
done, said Ernest. "And I'll tell you a
secret; | expect lady here every instant,
who has accorded me private interview.
The best service you can render me--is to
leave me to myself"
A hint from your royal lips is COM
maDd, said the pretended Ernest. THAT
your majestys suit may prosper is the
warmest wish of your most devoted sub
ject. "
The stranger vanished.
Before Ernest had an opportunity to
frame any hypothesis with regard TO this