The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-10-02
THE WHITE SATIN DOMINO.

THE WHITE SATIN DOMINO.
The period of Napoleon's career,
when at its zenith. is full Of romantic
adventures as connected with the his
tory Of the officers lives that served
under the great captain. He was quick
to observe merit and prompt to reward
1t, and this 1t was that made his follow.
ers SO devoted to him, and SO anxioul
to distinguish themselves by prowess in
hattie. and strict soldierly conduct in
the Emperor service.
Colonel Eugene Merville was an At
tache of Napoleon's staff. He was Z
soldier in the true sense of the word
devoted to his profession, and brave q
. lion. Though very handsome, and
of fine bearing. he was of humble
birth-a mere child Of the camp, aud
had followed the drum and bugle from
boyhood. Every step in the line OF
promotion had been won by the stroke
of his sabre; and his last promotion
from major of cavalry was for q gallant
deed which transpired on the battlo-
field beneath the Emperor's own v {.
Murat, that prince of cavalry officers.
loved him like o brother, and taught
him all that his own good taste and
natural instinct had not led him to 40
quire before.
1t was the carnival season in Paris.
and young Merville found himself Al
tho masked ball in the French Opers
House. Better adapted in his taste to
tho field than the boudoir, he firts but
little with the gay figures that cover
the floor. and joins but seldom in the
niddv waltz nrrf - I..t ~-l:- -
ing thoughtfully, and regarding the as
sembled throng with q vacant eye, his
attention was suddenly aroused by the
appearance Of a 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 30 mixed an assembly,
still there was q dignity and reserve In
the manner Of the white domino that
rather repulsed the idea of q familiar
address. and it was some time before
the young soldier found courage to
speak to her. Some alarm being Civ.
IN, there was q violent rush Of the
throng toward the door, where, unless
assisted. the lady would have material
~ suffered. Eugene Merville offered
his arm, and with his broad shoulders
and stout frame warded of the danger. |
It was a delightful moment; the lady
spoke the purest French; was witty, fam !
ciful and captivating.
"Ahl lady. pray raise that mask. aud
reveal TO me the charms of feature that
must accompany $ sweet q voice and
so graceful a form n you possess" !
You would perhaps be disappoint-
'.No. I am sure not"
Are you SO very c~onfdentP"
Eyes. l feel that you are beautiful
It cannot be otherwise"
Don't be too sure Of that" said the ;
domino. Have you never heard Of
Tho Irish poet Moore's story Of the
yelled prophet Khorassan-how, when
he disclosed his countenance, it, hid
rous aspect killed his beloved onep
how do you know that l shall uos turn
put . yelled prophet Of KhorAssAnr,
.Ah. lady. your every word convinc-
es me to the contrary" replied the en-
raptured soldier, whose heart began to
feel a it had never felt before; he was
already in love.
She eluded 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 fieetest 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, summed his former
places Of amusement, avoided his mill
tary companions; and. in short. was as
miserable as q lover could we'll be.
thus disappointed. One night, just af-
ter he. had left his hotel on foot, q
figure muffied to the very ears stopped
him.
well, monsieur, what would you
with meP" asked the soldier.
lyon would know the name Of tho
white dominoP" was the reply.
II would, indeed" replied the Of
Follow me-"
bring me 10 her."
"But you must be b~lindfolded." =.
Every we'll" IL =:
sStep into this vehicle" ,?tkA,
II am at your command"
And away ratified the young soldier
and his strange companion.
This may BIO q trick" reasoned
Eugene Merville; .sbut I have no fear
OF personal violence. lam armed With
this trusty sabre, and take care OF
mvsclf."
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. he found himself in n richly.
furnished boudoir, and before him stood
the domino just rs he had met her at
the masked ball. To fall upon his
knees, and tell her how much he had
| thought Of her since their separation.
| that lis thoughts had never left her.
| that he loved her devotedly, was ~
natural as to breathe. and he did SO
most calamity and sincerely.
..Shall l believe oil you sayP"
..Lady, let me prove 1t by any test
you may put upon me-"
..Know, then. that the feelings you
ayow are mutual. Nay. unloose your
arm from my waist. l have something
more to say"
"Talk OH forever, lady! Your voice
is music to my heart and ears"
"Would you marry me, knowing no
moro Of mo than you now doP'
Eyes, II you were to 60 to the very
altar maskedr' he replied.