The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1883-01-05
The White Satin Domino.

The period of Napoleon's career,
when at its zenith, is fnll of romantic
adventures as connected with the
history of the officers lives that
| served under that great captain. He
was quick to observe merit and quick
to reward it, and this was what
made his followers so devoted to him,
and so anxious to distinguish them
selves by prowess in battle, and strict
and soldierly conduct in the Emper-
or's service.
Colonel Eugene Merville was an
attache of Napoleon's staff. He was
a soldier in the true sense OF the
word-devoted to his profession, and
brave as lion. Though very hand
some, and of Gne bearing, he was of
humble birth-a mere child of the
camp, and had followed the drum and
bugle since boYhood. Every step in
the line of promotion had been won
with stroke of his sabre; and his
last promotion from major of cavalry
was for a gallant deed which trans
pired on the battle field, beneath the
Emperor's own eye. Murat, that
prince of cavalry officers, loved him
like brother, and taught him all
that his own good taste and natural
instincts had not lei him to acquire
before.
1t was the carnival season in Paris,
and young Neville found himself at
a masked bali in the French Opera
House. Better adapted in his taste,
to the field than the boudoir, he
firted but little with the figures that
covered the floor, and joined but
seldom in the giddy waltz. But at
last, while standing thoughtfully,
and regarding the assembled throng
with vacant eye, his attention was
suddenly aroused by the appearance
of person in white domino, the
universal elegance of whose figure,
manner and bearing, convinced all
that her face and mind must be equal
to her person in grace and loveliness
Though in SO mixed an assembly,
| still there was dignity and reserve
in the manner of the white domino
that rather iepulsed the idea of famil-
lar address, and it was some time
before the young soldier found cour-
age to speak to her. An alarm be-
ing given, there was a violent rush
towards the door, where, unless as
sisted, the lady would have mater
tally suffered. Eugene Merville Of
tered his arm, and with bis broad
shSalders and stout frame, warded
off the danger. 1t was. a delightful
moment; the lady spoke the pulest
French; was witty, faneiful and cap.
tivating.l
"Ah@! lady, pray raise that mas!,,
and reveal to me the charms of fea-
ture that must accompany SO sweet
voice and so graceful a form as you
possess"
"You would perhaps be disap-
pointed
| "No, am sure not"
care you so very confident p
eyes, I feel that you are beautiful
1t cannot he otherwise
"Don't be too sure Of .nas," said
the domino. "Haye you never heard
the Irish poet, Noofe's description OF
the veiled prophet of Khorasseau-
Ehow, when he disclosed his ceunten-
ance, it's hideous aspect killed his
beloved one! How do you know
! shall not turn out yelled prophet O.
Khorasseau ?''
"Ah, lady, your every word con
vinces me to the contrary" replied
the enraptured soldier, whose heart
began to feel as it had never felt be-
fore; he was already in love-
She eluded his efforts at discovery
but permitted him to hand her to hel
carriage, which drove off in the dark
and though he threw himself on hi