The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-02-21

They agreed upon a new rendez-
vous at the ball of the "Comic
Opera" where, after a thousand
charming cncouragements, she at
length made Il movement as if to
raise her mask, but hesitating, she
exclaimed, with the most engaging
while her silvery voice betrayed her
tender agitation.
Let us finish where we COM
mcnccd-at the opera ball in eight
days, Prospect" And the student
fell from heaven for the fourth time.
But how could he doubt the love
and sincerity of the charming mask,
when she added, hastily pressing
his hand But, suppose you do not
find me pretty, ! should die of des-
pair and confusion! Listen !! listenl"
she resumed, interrupting a pathetic
exclamation; there is a way of tax
ing from our last meeting all that
might render it embarrassing for
both Instead of meeting at the
opera ball, we will meet this time at
/ the play On Friday, when the cur
tain rises, | will he in the first bal
cony box to the right, and you, from
the left balcony, may recognize me
by the same sign as before. If you
are satisfied with me, you may
come to my box; if not, remain
where you are, and all will end
without causing either to blush"
As may be supposed, Prosper ac-
ccpted the new condition; he could
not well refuse, having submitted to
all the others. He had all the en-
thusiasm of an inexperienced coun-
tryman, and he said to himself:
Zounds | am determined to see
the last of this adventure.
He was obliged to pawn his law
books, in order to pay for the fifth
bouquet, and, ON the following Fri
day, made his appearance at the
opera. The moment his eye fell
upon the designated box, you may
imagine how violently his heart
beat within his bosom, when he
beheld it occupied by most elegant
young lady; and, through the cloud
which foatcd before his vison, he
could see that she was Mt least
| pretty, Impatient to assure him
self of his happiness, he raised his
lorgnettc. Oh, happiness she is a
most beautiful woman and the stu
dent the most favored of mortals,
for she holds in her lovely hand his
fifth bouquet, and sends him smile
borrowed from the angels. But at
the moment when his happiness
would seem complete, great Heuvenl
his glass fell from his hand, his face
/ passed through all the colors of the
rainbow, and fell back upon the
seat, burning with anger and morti-
fication In the beauty which rails
ed him to the third heaven, he
recognized-Thunder The flower
girl of X--Street, in person.
Thus, the proofs which promised
to lead to so much happiness, only
disclosed an atrocious pecuniary
imposition. The beautiful deceiver
had induced him to purchase five
bouquets of her at twenty frances
each, and the unfortunate student
found himself Il hundred francs out
of pocket, of which part was bor-
rowed money.
But the skillful domino was not
satisfied with this; she had not
speculated for so little as II hundred
francs by any means. At the NOM
ent when the discounted student
uttered the above exclamation, he
was surprised TO- hear it repeated
with nine echoes. Turning, he be-
held in the surrounding boxes nine
young gentlemen, their faces flushed
with shame and Indignation like his
own, and darting very flashing eyes
upon the balcony to the right. He
comprehended at once how the fas-
cinating imposter had practised the
same deception upon all. The same
bouquet had each time been pur-
chased by the ten dupes, and the
willy mask had realized the nice lit
tie sum of a thousand francs.
Gentlemen" said Prosper, to his
contreres,, our cause is the same !;
let our vengeance be the same also.
We will meet next year"
"All right" exclaimed the conspi-
rators, exchanging cards, next
year." and, like civilian Tell, " in
the scene of "the oath" they quilted
the balcony with grasp of the
hand.
We will pass over Il year, which
brings us again to the season of
masked balls.
impatient for revenge the ton vie.
Tins Of the past year first attempted
each one successiYclY. to win tho