Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-12-15
imitable foot and hand are her betray-

let's away to the dance"
IL believe my hand is promised al
ready" answered the fair one, $50 take
it quickly before some one disputes the
prize with you. :"
The next minute they were whirling
round the vast saloon to music that
might keep dancers on their feet for
life. Anna leaned upon the shoulder of
her partner, and he breathed into her
ear words that she could not listen TO
without thrill of pleasure.
At the conclusion of the dance, Ernest
led her into n side room, in which they
found themselves quite alone
"You persist, then" said tile lady,
"in calling me the Baroness Won Gratfen-
berg?"
"If had doubted before, your dane
ing 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 |
request you TO raise your mask?'
II can refuse you nothing" said
Ernest Won Steinberg
He 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 | thought you assured us that
the cavalier was Captain Ernest Won
Steinberg," exclaims the reader.
Let us explain. To give additional
facts and pleasure and complicate the
mysteries of masquerade, the courtisrs
of Louis XIV of France had invented
the following expedient: They procured
fine wax ikenesses of their friends, or
eminent persons and wore them under
their masks. When requested to de-
clare their identity, they would raise
the outer mask and the inner wax one,
pletely deceived the spectator. 1t is
easy to imagine what an indefinite field
for mystitication this contrivance afford
ed.
Captain Ernest had friend, sculp-
tor, who had model bust of the king,
and from him he had procured a wax
mask, beautifully colored, and so well
executed as to deceive the eyes of the
Baroness for the moment they rested on
| ii. Ernest, satisfied with his success,
replaced his black velvet visor, and con-
tinued the interview.
"Yes, baroness" whispered the dis
guised ald-de-camp, "It is Louis who
stands before you-not as your King,
but as your subject, your slave-the
thrall of your beauty"
"Ah, SIRE" replied the belle of Mu-
mich, ''you are sporting with the sensi-
bilities of weak woman"
"No, by heaven!' replied the raised
king 81 am incapable of that. Behold
me at your feet and hear me swear eter-
nal allegiance to your charms.
"Rise, sire!' said the baroness, very
much agltated. eve may be seen or
overheard.
"Long have / thought" continued
the false king, "that beauty such as
yours should grace throne"
"A throne!" echoed the baroness.
"But you are right" he continued
hnrriedly; "this is no time or place for
confidence like ours. Hark! The clock
is striking twelve. Will you trust to
my honor, and meet me at this hour to-
morrow night?"
| w AClty SlIt.
"In the Chinese pavilion in the gar
den 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
Tomorrow night at twelve" said
she, ard glided from the room.
ooh, woman, woman, woman!" said
Ernest, when alone. "False rs fair! Is
it for this we rank you with the angels?
But tremble faithless one-your punish
ment shall be as bitter as the agony |
suffer"
And he followed the baroness into the
dancing saloon.
| He had no sooner left the room than
masked figure stole forth from beneath
mass of crimson drapery.
"The Chinese pavilion tomorrow
night, at twelve O'clock" said the
stranger "Bravo, bravo! Captain Won
Steinberg"
And he. too. vanished.
A few minutes before II o'clock on
the following night, Captain Won Stein
berg, wearing his wax mask, unlocked
and entered the Chinese pavilion i'll the
royal garden. The inside shutters of
the windows were closed, so that he
ventured to produce a match and light
q wax taper, taking care to place shade
over it, so that the room should DE very
dimly lighted. After completing the
arrangements, 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 you?" demanded Ernest,
advancing to the intruder.
"You have anticipated similar ques-
ton" replied the mask.
"But have right to know" said
Ernest.
$50 have 7" was the quiet answer.
''Sir," said Ernest, placing his hand
on the hilt of his saber, 81 wear u
sword"
$50 do t. replied the mask; "but I
reserve it for the enemies of my coun-
try"
"Tell me who you are, I implore you. "
"Ah, now you speak in a different
manner. |, sir, am Captain Won Stein
berg, at your service, aidde-camp to his
Majesty King Louis of Bavaria.
''The deuce you are!' thought En-
nest.
''But, confidence for confidence, y
said the impostor. "Now, you must
tell me who you are and by what right
1 find you in the pavilion at this hour. "
''By the very best right in the world, p"