Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-12-03

ne lDtflOu Oh Napoleon career WUen
ut It's zenith, is fnl ui rOmanc adven-
lures as Connected with the history OF
the officers lives that served under the,
great captain. He was quick to observe
elit and prompt to reward it, and this
was what made his followers SO devoted
to him, and s. anxious to distinguish
themselves 10y prowcss III battle, and
strict soldierly c@lduct III the Emperor's
service
Colonel Eugene Meryillc was an at
taci. Of Napoleon ) staff. He was a
soldier in the true sense OF the word
devoted TO his profession, and brave as
a lion, Though very handsome, and CT
fine bearing, he was Of humble birth-a
mere child Of the camp, and had fol
lowed the drum and buglc from boy
hood. Every step in the line OF promo
ton had been Won by the stroke Of
his sabre; and his last promotion from
major Of calvary was for Il gallant deed
which transpired on the battlefield be
meath the Emperor's own eye. Murat,
that prince OF cavalry officers, loved him
like brother, and taught him all that
his own good taste and natural instinct
had not led him to acquire before
1t wa. the carnival season ia Paris,
and vonng Mcrvile found himself at the
masked ball in the French Opera House
Better adapted in his taste to the field
than the houdo,r, he hirts but little
with the figures that cover the floor, and
Joins but seldom in the Siddy waltz
Ert at last, while standing thoughtful
lv, and regarding the assembled throng
With vacant eye. his attention was
suddenly aroused by the appearance of
II person in a white SATIN domino, the
universal elegance of whose figure, man
ner and bearing convinced ali that he1
face and mind must be equal to her per
son in grace and loveliness.
Though III SO mixed an as semblv, still
tne,e was a dignity and reserve III tn
manner of the white domino that rathe
repulscd the idea of familiar address
and il was some time before the yount
soldier found courage to speak TO hen
Some alarm being given, there was
violent lush Of the thrrng toward tn
door. where, ,snlcss assisted, the lad,
would have materially suffered, Eugen
Mer,ille offered his arm, and with hi
broad shoulders and stout frame ward
! ed off the danger. 1t was delightful
moment; the lady spoke the pure>
French; was witty, fancitul and captive
ting
'Ah. lady. pray raise that mask, az
, reveal 10 ne the charms of feature tis
must accompany So sweet a voice, IN
go graceful form rs YOU possess.
You would perhaps be dissappoin
ed"
"No, am sure not
care vou so very confilent:
"Yes. feel that ,von are beautiful
|, cannot be otherwise.
Don't ne too sure Of that, said Il
domino. Have You never heard of Il
Irish poet Moore's of the vejled propl
ct of Khora>san-how. when he thsclos,
his countenance, its hiieous aSpe
killed his beloved one. How 40 y,
know that | shall not turn ont veil.
prophet of khorassan?'
.Ah, lady. your every word convll
IS me 10 the contrary, replied the 6
, raptured soldier whose hear. began
4 fee, as il had never felt before: he "
already in love.
She eluded his effolts al discover
but pei mitted him 10 hand her I" Il
carriage, which drove ot1 in the dai
ness. and though he threw himself up
his l,etest horse. he Was unable
: osertake her
: The yo,Nlg French coloncl becal
It moody: he had lost his heart. and kn
J. no, what "a do He wandered hitl
Z and thithe,. stunned his former pla'
2 OF amusement. avoided his military 60
4 pamons: and IN short, Was as nisera
a. as /, love! could we'll be, thus disappo
"a ted. One night, just at'a he had le't
:: hot.h on foot, a figure mufficd to
20 very ears stopped him.
=: We'll. monsieur, wha, would
with me-" asked the soldier.