Year: 1871




den the brilliant rays of the moon.
when shadow passed rapidly along
the wall inclosing part of the park be.
longing to the high and powerful Duke
Of, and, stopping at q low arched
door almost invisible, shaded as it was
dy the long, thick branches of neigh.
boring oak, put key in the lock, and
sailed forth, after closing it carefully.
A carriage was in attendance. q man
opened the door without utterinp a
syllable, and jumping on his seat,
drove with all speed towards the Pal.
ace of Versailles. ffstFl


The drive Easnota long one, and vet
seemed interminable to the fair occu-
pant, whose excitement had lulled the
fears which for days had been almost
intolerable. At last string of car
rlages appeared, the goodman drew
up, and as light as fawn, the Domino
stepped out of the carriage, following
the crowd of masks entering the ccatT
d6o7anear of the palace.


The Domino put her hand to her
heart as if to stay Its beating; then,
taking courage, assembled the grand
staircase and soon found herself in the
gallery, resplendent with lights, which
led to the saloon where Louis XIV. and
his Queen, the good Maria Leckzinska,
sat on magnificent throne surveying
the galaxy of beauty that stood before
them Most of the women were with
out masks, but all the men, With the
exception of the King, wore them.


Our Pink Domino, with her bunch of
ivy leaves on the left side, had re-
manned almost transfixed at the sight
of Loris XIV, and no wonder, for to
whomsoevar he appeared for the first
time 1t was vision not to be for
gotten


Music had poured forth its Joyous
strains, dancing had begun, but the
Pink Domino was still in the same
spot, having neither ears nor eyes for
what passed around her. Louis XIV,
beautiful as Hope, was the star she
gazed at-a shining sun which reflect
ed its rays upon her wondering eyes.
She had heard of him, but what de-
scnption could come up to what she
beheld9 Lost In admiration, she had
been deaf to all the witty words that
had been whispered to her, and it was
only when the King escorted the Queen
back to her apartment that the Pink
Domino remembered where she was.
Louis XIV. had remarked the statue
like domino, as she beant near a col
umn with her fixed glance upon him,
and had guessed he was the cause of
the preoccupation of the fair unknown,
who, under her velvet mask, hid, most
likely, the features of some one wishing
to remain incognito.


Amused at the idea of trying to find
out who 1t was he thus so charmed, he
hastened to cover himself with a black
domino and repair to the grand saloon.


During that time the Pink Domino
had remained In the sames spot still i'm
passible and refusing to answer the
questions of the inquisitive masks.


"Why so silent, fair mask?n said q
voice which made her turn with a start
towards her interlocutor. "Has your
lover proved faithless and deserted
youl If so, take my arm and let us
have chat together"


Not a word escaped the lips of the
Domino, but, 1mpelled by an irresista-
BILE power, she passed her arm through
the one that had been offered to her,
and returned the slight pressure of the
unknown mask. .


"Methinks the heat is svery grcathere;
would you not like to leave this crowd
for some quiet nook ON the terrace Z"


With all my heart, for only came
here to see the King, and he is gone.
1 feel no more interest in the pageant. I"


"OhI the Kingl Do you like the
King, nsd tosIte belle ~


No, I do not like the King, but I
worship him, and would die this mo-
ment for ono look from his beautiful
eyes,


tsIt is not hattering to me, this
speech of yours; do you know had be-
gun to think you were In love with me,
and now you colly tell me that you
would die for his Majesty. Why then
did you accept my armf You should
have waited in case Louis XIV should
return, as of course he is sure to do. I"


Let us go back and show him to
me, ther. I can go and speak to him.
Next to The king feel i can trust you
Quick let us return that may see
him again. y naW


What il, instead of leading you
back to the crowd, were to conduct
you where yon would see his majesty
face to face, would not it be nicer
plan9"


ssCould you,- would you, do this for
me, unknown as am to you"


To please you, my fair one, Iwould
do anything. Come, and in a few min
utes Louis XIV. will appear to you"


Both masks left the terrace, and wind
ing their way through various passages,
came TO dark, narrow staircase which
they ascended, and the Black Domino
pushed open a door, leading his COM
panion, who, from the subdued light of
small lamp, saw at glance they were
in apartments probably seldom occu-
pied. The Black Domino touched q
large picture, and it slid away slowly
iuto the wall, and the Pink Domino was
ushered into one of those delightful re-
treats that the magnifcence of king
could alone devise.


The picture had returned TO It's place,
and, after leading the unknown to a
sofa, the Black Domino slowly Invested
himself of his disguise, and discovered
to the bewildered eyes of his visitor
the beautiful features of the king


As quick as lightning the Pink Dom
inc was on her knees with outstretched
hands, rs if to ask mercy for her teme-
rity; but, with a beEitching smile,
Louis XIV. took her hands, and raising
her from her heeling position, said:


snow that your wish has been graft
fed, viii you not in your turn CRAFTY
mine - And, without waiting for an
answer, he threw OFF the domino, and
unfastening the mask, beheld face
such as all his dreams and reveries
could not have portrayed A food OF
golden hair fell on shoulders whose
whiteness realized the snow. The eyes
were dark, but with the sweetness OF
those of an antelope; the mouth and
nose were fsultless-in a word, all in
the vision that appeared before him was
perfect.


"Who are your ? asked the king,
drawing her towards him, and looking
in her eyes with a gaze that made Z
thrill of delight pass. through hel
whole frame; "who are you, my beau
tiful angelo Oh, tell me at once WIZ
you are"


"Sire, I cannot; press me not, dt