The Worthington advance., 1881-09-08
THE BRIDE Of THE CARNIVAL.

Ernst Won Steinberg, aid de- camp to King
Louis of Batavia, as he left the presence of
the Young ana beautiful Baroness Anna
von Graffenberg. the belle of Munich, "or
is she the heartIess cequette which COM
mon rumor makes her?"
5As he passed down the staircase, he en-
c0unterel the baroness pretty French
I4isette.
"Lisette, you are looking charmingly to-
day-do you know it,"
MY mirror told me SO this morning."
said the soubrette, looking up boldly into
his face.
What lips! what eyes! and what fipure!"
said the soldier. But, do sou know, I
think you wouhl hook infinitely prettier in
a lavender silk robe, with cherry colored
ribbons?"
very possible. monsieur" answered the
waiting maid; "bnt that costs money-and
how is poor girl like me to dress like
hdy?"
Il have thought of that difficulty" said
Earnest, and have provided rem edy.
Will you allow me to present you with a
slight token Of nay gratitude and admir-
ation?"
As he spoke he drew forth little net
silk purse, through the interstices of which
several newly coined gold pieces showed
their pleasant, brilliant ccuntenances.
Lisette's eyes reflected their brightness,"
Monsieur is altogether too generous, !"
she said.
But the little white fingers clasped the
glitteTing Offering, aud conveyed it to one
OF the pockets Of the coduettish black silk
apron that she wore. ;.
"Now, tell me, Lisette, is your mistress
going to the masked ball at the palace to-
morrow night?"
Az, but that is great secret, monsieur,
which promised not to reveal" replied
the Parisienne, archly, laying her fingers
on her lips.
"she is going then?" said Ernst.
"Nlonsieur says so," answered the sou.
brette, smiling,
sAnd 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 bunch of sky-b ribbons
on the right shoulder" replied the waiting
maid, hurriedly, and she ran upstairs, as
If to avoid further catechizing, fully satis-
fed that her indiscretion had been An ample
Offset 10 the aid de- camps present.
Very good, Madame Anna" said the
young officer to himself. II have now re-
coinnoitered to the ground, and 1 shall
know where to open my trenches. All's
fair in love und war. And now to nv friend.
the sculptor's-if his ingenuity aid me, my
success will be certain
: On the night of the masked ball the royal
palace of Munich was a blaze of light,
Every window glowed as if the interior
were a mass of fire, and the brilliant rays,
streaming forth upon the night, fell on the
giitteriDg helmets, breast plates and sabers
of the mounted cuiraisiers, or were reflect.
ed from the bayonets of a detachment of
the infantry of the line drawn up as a guard
OF honor in the square without.
Chamberlains stood at the entrance of
the palace, and files of lackeys, with wax-
tapers laring in the evening air, shed al
most the light OF day on the grand stair
case. Carriage after carriage rolled up in
succession, with their living freights of
beauty and youth and as light feet fell like
snow flakes on the carpeted marble, as
graceful forms vanished within the portals,
the ears OF the bystanders were lulled by
the pleasant rusthng of silks, while the
breeze was perfumed by thousand deli
cate odors.
But if such were the external manifesta-
tions OF the fete, how far more brilliant and
bewildering was the interior of the palace
OF pleasure! How those lofty halls glowed
with the dazzling eHulgence of thousands
OF wax -tapers! How softly beautiful were
the marble statues that graced the inches,
iined the corridors, and looked down from
their pedestals on the grand ballroom!
How Orientalin their magni6cence were the
gorgeous draperies of velvet and satin, with
fnnges of gold bullion, but, above all, what
music streamed on the enchanted air from
an orchestra composed of hundred of the
best lnstrumentalists in the city! And the
life, the animation Of the thrones that filed
that brilliant saloon-who shall describe it ,
Ernest Won Steinberg, who looked but
Tor one person in that brilliant multitude.
was so masked and muffied that his disguise
was perfectly impenetrable. Therefore.
when he found the rose -colored domino at
last, he hesitated not to address her.
Good evening, fair mask"
Good evening, gallant cavalier. But
how know you that I am fair?"
=. Were to pronounce you the fairest
In Munich, none wonld dispute your title. "
DO You know me?"
.. The belle of Munich hides her face in
vain, answered Ernest. '"rhat inipita-
ble foot and hand are her betrayers."
"You may be mistaken, after ALL"
Il cannot be, and claim the hard," said
Ernest land viii find employment for that
dainty foot, The music sounds; let's away
to the dance"
Il believe my band is promised already. ~
answered the fair one, so take it quickly
before some one disputes the prize with
you" "''''
=. The next minute they We're whirline
round the vast saloon to music that mioht
keep dancers on their feet for life. Anna
leaned upon the shoulder of her partner.
and he breathed in her ear words that she
could not listen to without thrill of pleas
At the conclusion of the dance Ernest
led her into a side room, in which thew
= found themselves quite alone.
"You persist, then, said the lady, in call
ing me the Baroness Won Graffenberg."
, If had doubted before, your dancing
would have convinced ME. The leader Of
the Syiphides is known by her step."
Well, you have guessed right. And now,
IN return for my confidence, may request
you to raise your mask?"