The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-09-23
THE WHITE SATIN DOMINO.

LII WILL Oh OOm1NOs
The period of NapoleOn's career.
when ut its zenith. Is full Of romantic
| adventures as connected with the his
| tory of the officers lives that served
under tho great captain. He was quick
TO observe merit and prompt TO reward
it, and this it was that made his follow
ers SO devoted to him, and SO anxious
to distinguish themselves by prOwess in
battle. and strict soldicrly conduct in
| the Empcror's service.
Colonel Eugene Melville was an at
tache of NapoleOn's staff. lie was n
| soldier In tho true sense of the word
| devoted to his profession, and brave rs
a lion. Though very handsome. and
Of iine bearing, no was of humble
birth--a mere child of tho camp. and
had followed the drum and buglc from
bOyhoOd. Every step in the line of
| promotion had Leen won by the stroke
| of his sabre; and his last promotion
from major of cavalry was for q gallant
| deed which TRANSFERRED on the battle
field beneath tho EmperOr's own eye.
Murat, that prince of cavalry officers,
loved him like u brother. and taught
him all that his W good taste and
| natural instinct had not led him to ac-
quire before.
1t wa the carnival in Paris,
and young Merville found himself ut
the masked ball in the French Opera
House. Better adapted in his taste 10
the field than the bOudOir, he firts but
little with the gay figures that cover
| the floor, and joins but seldom in the
| giddy waltz. But at last, while stand
| ing thOughtfully, and regarding the as
| scmbled throng with a vacant eye, lis
attention was suddenly aroused by the
appearance of Il person in q white sat-
in domino, the universal elegance of
whose figure, manner and bearing con-
| WINGED all that her face and mind must
be equal to her person in grace and
loneliness.
Though in so mixed an assembly,
still there was a dignity and reserve in
the mi of the white domino that
rather repulsed the idea of a familiar
address, and il was sOme time before
tho young soldier found courage to
speak to her. Some alarm being Civ.
en-, there was q violent rush Of the
thrOng toward the door, where, unless
assisted, the lady would have material
" suffered. Eugene Mervillc offered
| his arm, and with his broad shoulders
| and stout frame warded off the danger.
1t was n delightful moment; the lady
spoke the purest French; was witty, fan
| ciful and captivating.
"Ah! lady, pray raise that mask, and
/ reveal TO me the charms of feature that
must accompany so sweet a voice and
| so graceful a form as you possess"
"You would perhaps be disappoint-
| cd"
mo, / am sure not"
care you so very confidently"
'Ycs. l feel that you are beautiful.
1t cannot be otherwise"
don't be too sure of that" said the
domino. Have you never heard of
the Irish poet Moore's story of tho
yelled prophet Khorassan-hOw. when
ho disclosed his countenance, its hid
eous aspect killed his beloved oncp
| How do YOU know that | shall not turn
out q yelled prophet of Khorassanr
"Ah, lady, your every word c%Onvinc-
es me to the contrary" replied the en-
raptured soldier, whose heart began to
feel as it had never felt before; he was
already in love.
She eludcd his efforts at discovery,
but permitted him to hand her to her
carriage. which drove off in the dark
ness, and though he threw himself
upon his fleetcst horse, he was unable
to Overtake her.
The young French colonel became
moody; he had lost his heart, and
knew not what to do. He wandered
hither and thither, Stunned his former
places Of amusement, avoided his mill
tary companions; and, in short, was as
miserable us q lover could we'll be,
thus disappointed. One night. just af-
ter he had left his hotel on foot, a
figure muilled to the very ears stopped
him.
'Well. monsieur. what would you
with me?" asked the soldier.
."You would know the name of the
white domino?" was the reply.
81 would. indeed" replied the Of
hcer. hastily. allow can it no done?'
"FOllOw me-"
ITO tho end of the earth, II it will
bring me to her."
..But you must be blindfOlded."
every we'll"
''Step into this vehicle"
81 am ut your command"
And away ratified the young soldier
and his strange companion.
This may be q trick" reasoned
Eugene Merville; ''but ! have no fear
of personal violence. lam armed with
this trusty sabre, and can take care OF
myself"
But there was no cause for fear, since
he soon found the vehicle stopped. and
he was led blindfolded into q house.
When the bandage was removed from
his eyes, no found himself in a richly.
furnished bOudOir, and before him stood
the domino Just as he had met her al
the masked ball. 10 fall upon his
knees, and tell her how much he had
thought Of her since their separation,
that Ills thoughts had never left her,
that he loved hor devotedly, was as
natural as TO breathe, and he did SC
most g~allantly and sincerely.
"Shall l believe all you sayP"
"Lady, lot me prove 1t by any tes'
you may put upon me-"
"Know, then, that the feelings you
avow are mutual. Nay, ~unloose your
arm from my waist. l have something
more to say"
"Talk on forever, lady! Your voice
is music to my heart and ears"
"Would you marry me. knowing NJ
moro of me than you nov dOP"
Eyes, il you were 10 60 to the very
altar maskedr he replied.
''Thcn I will test YOU"
"How. ladyT'
"For one year be faithful to the love
you have protested, aud l will be yours
AS truly as Heaven shall spare my
life."
20. cruel, cruel s~uspense" .
"You demurp"
NAY lady; 1 shall fulfil your %injunc
: ton Us l have promised"
{ '.If at the expiration of a year 20,
do not hear from me. tho contrac
shall be null and void. Take this hal
ring" she continued. 'and when
J supply the broken portion l will b.
yours"
He kissed the little emblem. swor'
again and again to be faithful, and
pressing her hand to his liDs. babe ha