The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-11-18

| pSiolC oohiO ohC tuC DTlAt WIFI NOu
The next minute they were whirling Tount
the vast saloon to music that might kee,
dancers on their feet for life Anna Leaned
upon the shoulder of her partner, and Ii,
breathed in her ear words that she could no
listen to without thrill of pleasure
AT the conclusion of the dance Ernest LEI
her into side room, in which they founC
themselves quite alone.
you persist, then" said the lady, ain call
ing me the Baroness Won Graffenberg?"
IF | had doubted before, your dancing
would have convinced me. Theleader of the
sylphdes is known by her step"
well, you have guessed 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 us he spoke, and dis
closed to the astonished gaze Of the baroness
| the well-known features of King Louis OF
Bavaria
But L thought you assured us that the
cavalier was Captain Ernest Won Steinberg, u
eXcams the reader.
Let us explain. To give additional zest
| and pleasure, and complcate the mysteries OF
masquerade, the courtiers of Louis NV. of
| France had invented the followed cxpedient
They procured fine wax likenesses of their
friends, of eminent persons, and wore them
under this masks. When requested to de-
clare their identify, they would raise the out
or mask, and the inner wax one, seen for q
moment, in most cases completely deceived
the spectator. 1t is easy to imagine what an
lhdellnlte leld Tor mystification this contri-
vance afforded
Captain Ernest had friend, SCULPTOR.
who had modelled 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 on it. Ernest, satisfied
with his success, replaced his black velvet
visor, and continued the interview.
Yes, baroness" whispered the disguised
ald-de-camp, ut is Louis who stands before
you-not as your king, but as your subject
your slaye-the thrall of your beauty"
"Ah, sire" replied the belle of Munich,
you are sporting with the sensibilities of a
weak woman"
mo, by heaven ~ replied the false king,
81 am incapable of that. Behold me at your
ieet, and hear me swear eternal allegiance to
your charms"
much irrtated. eve may be seen or over
heard"
Long have thought" continued the false
King, that beauty such as yours should grace
a throne"
"A throne" echoed the baroness.
But you are right" he continued, hur-
rledly; this is no time or place for conf
dences like ours. Hank the clock is striking
twelve Will you trust to my honor, and
meet me at this hour tomorrow night ?"
where, sire ~
I'm the Chinese pavilion in the garden of
the palace. The wicket of the postern gate
that leads to the door of the pavilion shall
be left open for you"
The baroness gave him her hand
,"Io-morrow night at twelve" said she, and
glided from the room.
ooh, woman woman woman I" said Err
est, when alone-"false as fair. Is it for this
we rank you with the angels? But tremble
taithless onc-your punishment shall be rs
bitter as the agony suffer-"
And he followed the baroness into the
i'332i p2ifa G1naoneH" - svon3 fn lrf1I TIN
beneath mass of crimson drapery
1.-The Chinese pavilion tomorrow night at
twelve" said the stranger. Bravo! bravo
Captain Won Steinberg."
And he, too, vanished.
A few minutes before twelve o'clock on
the following night, Captain Won Steinberg,
wearing his wax mask, unlocked and enter
ed the Chinese pavilion in the royal garden.
The inside shutters of the windows were
closed, so that he ventured to produce match
and light wax taper taking care to place
shade over it, so that the room should be very
dimly lighted. After completing the arrang-
ments, he glanced around and started on
seeing the figure of man near the table,
The stranger was dressed in the uniform of
an aid-de-Camp, and wore mask upon his
face.
"Who are your" demanded Ernest, advanc-
ing to the intruder.
You have anticipated similar question"
replied the mask
but have right to KNOW" said Ernest
$50 have l." was quiet answer
Sir" said Ernest, placing his hand on the
hilt OF his sabre, 81 wear sword"
80 do L. replied the mask "but reserve
it for the enemies ofmy country"
WHO are you? implore you to tell me,
said Ernest.
"Ah, now you speak in different manner
l, sir, am Captain Won Steinberg, at your SER
vice, aid-de.camp to his majesty King Louis
of Bavaria"
"The deuce you are" thought Ernest
"But, confidence for confidence" said the
impostor. Now, you must tell me who you
are, and by what right | find you in the royal
pavilion at this hour"
"By the very best right in the world" re-
piled Ernest, boldly. II, sir, am King Louis
of Bavaria" and he lifted his outward mask
displaying the features ofthe king.
pardon me, sire" the stranger, falling on
his knees: but, making my rounds in the
garden, found the postern gate unlocked,
and fearing treachery to your royal person
deemed it my duty to keep watch in the paw
lion, of which, as your majesty is aware, |
have duplicate key"
BOUNDS, man you haven't locked the pos
tern, have your" asked the pretended king.
mo, SIRE it remains rs found it,"
"Then, my good fellow, there is no harm
done" said Ernest. "And I'll tell you Sc
cret | expect a 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 command"
said the pretended Ernest. "That your ma
jestys suit may prosper is the warmest wish
of your most devoted subject"
The stranger vanished.
Before Ernest had an opportunity to frame
any hypothesis with regard to this mysteri-
GUS being the door opened cautiously and adj
mitted the baroness. She threw herself at
once at the feet of Ernest.
"Rise, lady !" said the pretended monarch.
81 would rather be at your feet-rise"
"Not," said the baroness, It'll your maes-
ty pledges me in advance for what ever
may confess"
81 freely pledge you that" said Ernest, aid
ing the lady to rise.
"Know them" said the baroness, "that
am an ungratetul woman. Your majesty dis
tinguished me last night, and held out hopes
so brilliant that subject might well be daz-
zled by your promise. But it was only mo-
mentary weakness In the delirium of the
dance you told me that you loved me--my
consent to meet you here seemed confession
of reciprocal affection; but, in truth, my heart
is given to another. l love-I love with all
the fervor of my being-not monarch, but
o subject"