Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-12-15
THE BRIDE or THE CARNIVAL.

''Does she really love me ?" said Cap
tain Ernest Won Steinberg, aidedecamp
to King Louis of Batavia, rs he left the
presence of the young and beautiful
Baroness Anna Won Gratfenberg, the
belle of Munich, "or is she the heart
less coquette which common rumor
makes her ?"
As he passed down the staircase, he
encountered the Baroness pretty French
chambermaid, Lisette.
''Lisette, you are looking charmingly
to-dav-do you know it?"
"My mirror told me SO this morning, "
said the soubrette, looking up boldly in
to his face.
"What lips! what eyes, and what a
fgurer' said the soldier. But do you
know, I think you would look infinitely
prettier in lavender colored silk robe,
with cherry colored ribbons?"
every possible, monsieur" answered
the waiting maid; "but that costs
money-and how is poor girl like me
to dress like a lady?"
81 have thought of that difficulty, "
said Ernest, "and have provided n
remedy. Will you allow me to present
you with slight token of my gratitude
and admiration?"
As he spoke, he drew forth little
net silk purse, through the interstices
of which several newly coined gold
pieces showed their pleasant, brilliant
countenances. Lisette's eyes reflected
their brightness.
Monsieur is altogether too gener-
Gus" she said.
But the little white fingers clasped
the glittering offer, and conveyed it to
one of the pockets of the coquettish
black silk apron that she wore.
"Now, ten me, Llsette, is your mis-
tress going to the masked ball at the
palace tomorrow night?'
"Ah, but that is great secret, mon
sieur, which promised not to reveal, ?"
replied the Parisienne, archly, laying her
fingers on her lips.
"She is going then?" said Ernest.
Monsieur says so, answered the
soubrette, smiling.
"And what else did your mistress
charge you to keep secret?" asked the
officer, smiling in his turn.
"That she was going to wear rose
colored domino, with a bunch of sky
blue ribbons on the right shoulder, y
replied the waiting maid and she ran up
stairs, as if to avoid further catechizing,
fully satisfied that her indiscretion had
been an ample ofsetto the aidde-c camps
present.
Every good, Madame Anna" said
the young officer to himself. 81 have
now reconnoitered the ground, and |
shall know where to open my trenches.
Ais fair, in love and war. And now to
my friend, the sculptor's-if his ingenu-
ity can aid me, my success will be GER
tain"
On the night of the masked ball the
royal palace of Munich was blaze OF
light. Every window glowed as if the
interior were mass of fire, and the
brilliant rays, streaming forth upon the
night, fell upon che gIittering helmets,
J breast-plates and sabres of the mounted
bayonets of detachment of the infan-
try of the line drawn up as a guard OF
| honor in the square without.
Chamberlains stood at the entrance oi
the palace, the files of Iackeys, with wax
tapers flying in the evening air, shed
almost the light of day on the grand
staircase. Carriage after carriage rolled
up in succession, with their living
freights of beauty and youth, and AZ
light feet fell like snow flakes on the
carpeted marble, as graceful forms van
ished within the portals, the ears of the
bystanders were lulled by the pleasant
rustling of silks, while the breeze was
perfrlmed by thousand delicate odors.
| But IL such were the external mani
| festations of the fete, how far more be.
wildering was the interior of the palace
of pleasure! How softly beautiful were
the marble statues that gr&ced the
inches, lined the corridors, and looked
down from their pedestals on the grand
ball room! How Oriental III then
magnifcence were the gorgeous draper
les of velvet and satin, with fringes o.
gold bullion, but above all, what music
streamed on the enchanted air from al
orchestra composed of hundred of the
best instruments in the city. And the
life, the animation of the throngs in tha
brilliant saloon-who shall describe it?
Ernest Won Steinberg, who looked fol
but one person in that brilliant multi
tude, was perfectly impenetrable
Therefore, when he found the rose-col
ored domino at last, he hesitated not tx
address her.
"Good evening, fair mask"
"Good evening, gallant cavalier. Bu
how know you that am fair?'
"Were / to pronounce you the faires
in Munich, none would dispute you
title"
''Do you know me?"
"The belle of Munich hides her fac
in vain" answered Ernest. "That in