Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-08-22

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cation.
Captain Ernest had q friend. a sculp
tor who had modelled bust OF the king
and from him he had procured wax
mask, beautifully colored, and so wei
executed as to deceive the eyes of the
baroness for the moment they rested on
it, Ernest, satisfied with his success
replaced his black visor, and continued
the interview.
"Yes, baroness" whispered the aid
de-camp, ''it is Louis who stands before
,you-not as your king, but as your sub.
j.ct, your slave-the thrall of your great
beauty"
"Ah. eir," replied the belle of Munich,
''yt,u are sporting with the s6nsibilitles
OF weak woman"
"lVo, by heaven !" replied the false
king. II am incapable of that. Behold
me at you< feet, hear me swear eternal al
legiance to your charms"
| "Rise, rise. rise!" said the baroness,
very much irl'itated. 1--WE may be seen
or overheard"
"L,,Sg have thought" continued the
false king, that beauty such as yours
should grace a throne"
| "a throneW echned the baroness.
"But you are right" he continued,
hurriedly this is no time or place for
confidence like ours. Hark, the clock
is striking twelve. Will you trust to my
honor, and meet my at this hour to NOR
row night"
"Where ?"
"In the Chinese pavilion in the
garden 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.
ITO morrow night, at twelve" said
she, and giided from the room.
| "Oh, woman woman wOman" said
Ernest, when alone-''false.a as 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 l
suffer-"
And he followed the baroness into the
dancing saloon. He had no sooner lett
the roCm than a masked figure stole forth
from beneath q mass of rich crimson
drapery.
1.-THE Chinese pavilion, tomorrow
night at twelvep p' said the stranger.
bravo! bravo! Captain Won Stein
berg!"
| And he, too, vanished.
A few minutes before IL O'Clock on the
following night, Captain Ernest Won
Steinberg, wearing his wax mask, un :
locked and entered the Chinese pavilion
i'm the royal garden. The inside shutters
of the windows were closed, SO that he
ventured to produce a match and light d
wax taper, taking care to place q shade
over it, so that the room should be very
dimly lighted. After contemplating the
arrangements, he glanced around, and
started on seeing the figure of man neal
the table. The stranger was dressed IN
the uniform of an aid-de- camp. and wore
a mask upon his face.
"Who are you?" demanded Ernest,
advancing to the intruder.
| "You have anticipated similar ques'
tion," replied the mask.
| "But I have q right to know" said
Ernest.
| $50 have l." was the quiet answer.
"Sir," said Ernest, placing his hand
on the hilt'of his saber, II wear
sword"
$50 do l." replied the mask; "but
reserve it for the enemies of my coun-
try"
"Who are you? Iimplore you to tel
me-" said Ernest.
"Ah, now you speak in a different
manner. I, sir, am Captain Won Stein
berg. at your service, aid de camp to hi
majesty, King Louis, of Bavaria"
"The deuce you are !" thought Ernest
"But, confidence for confidence, sale
! the impOster. "Now you must tell M
who you are, and by what right L inc
you in the royal pavilion at this hour o
the night"
"By the very best right in the world,
replied Ernest. boldly. 81, sir, am King
Louis, of Bavaria" and he lifted his
outward mask, displaying the features
of the king.
| "Pardon me, Sire" said the stranger
falling on his knees "but, making my
rounds in the ga rden. I found the posterr
gate unlocked, and, fearing treachery t.
your royal person, deemed it my duty
to keep watch in the pavilion, of which
as your majes ty is aware, I have du
plicate key"
"Zounds, man, you haven't LOCKED
the postern, h;sveyOuW asked the pre-
tended king.
mo. sire; it remains as I found it.
'Then, my good fellow, there is n.
harm done," said Ernest "And III
tell you secret; I expect a lady her
every instant, who has accorded me
private interview. The best service yol
can render me is to II cave me to myself.
"A hint from your royal lips is con
mand," said the pretended Ernest
"The warmest wish of your m ost devot
ed subject is that the suit of your majest.
may prosper"
| The stranger vanished.
| Before Ernest hati all opportunity t
frame any hypothe sis with regard t.
this mysterious oeil,g, the door opene'
cautiously, and admitted the baroness
She threw herself at once at the feet Q
Ernest, the false king.
"Rise, LADY," said the pretende
monarch. II would rather be at you
feet-rise."
Not" said the baroness, "until you
majesty pledges me- pardon in advanc
for whatever 1 may cont sss."
II freely pledge to you that" sal
Ernest, aiding the lady to rise.
"Know then," said the baroness, "
am an ungrateful woman. Your maj
esty distinguished me last night, an
held out hopes SO brilliant tha subjet
might we'll be dazz,led by you. promise
L was dazzled, and heard you wit
pleasure. But it W as only mo mentar
weakness. In the delirium of tt ne dane
you told me that you loved me- 1:y cor
sent to meet you here seemed eOnfes
sion of reciprocal affection; but, in truti
my heart is given to another. 1 love
l love with all the fervor of my be ing
not a monarch, but a subject"
"A rival! said the pretended k tul
sternly; "his llame?"
promise that you will not harm b in
SIRE"
81 make no promise in such oase' q
this"
"Then I s'nall keep my secret" g. al
the baroness.
"And you will love this man-eveq
l command you to tear hts image fro u
your heart: :!n'
! II love fiim, and him only" repli'
the baront ss. In good report and eV