Year: 1871

A hight cloud had just partially hid.
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 low arched
door almost invisible, shaded as il was
dy the long, thick branches of a neigh
boring oak, put key in the lock, and
sailed forth, after closing it carefully.
A carriage was in attendance, a man
opened the door without uttering a
syllable, and jumping on his seat,
drove with all speed towards the Pal
ace of Versailles. =


The drive wasnota 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 a string of car
riages appeared, the coachman drew
up, and as light as fawn, the Domino
stepped out of the carriage, following
the crowd of masks entering the ccur
dbonReu of the palace.


The Domino prs her hand to her
heart as II to stay its beating; then,
taking courage, ascended the grand
staircase and soon found herself in the
gallery, Respondent with lights, which
led to the saloon where Louis XIV. and
his Queen, the good Maria Leckzinska,
sat on a 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-
mained almost transfixed at the sight
of Louis XIV, and no wonder, for to
whomsoever he appeared for the first
time it vas a vision not to be for
gotten J


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-
scription could come up to what she
beheld? 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 tryine to find
out who it was he thus so charmed, he
hastened to cover himself with black
domino and repair to the grand saloon.


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


"Why so silent, fair maskl" said a
voice which made her turn with q 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, lmpelled 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 very great here;
would you not like to leave this crowd
for some quiet nook on the terrace ~


''With all my heart, for only came
here to see the King, and he is gone.
/ feel no more interest In the pageant. !"


-Ohl the Kingl Do you like the
King, ma tOtfte belle ~


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


1T is not fiattering to me, this
speech of yours; do you know 1 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 arm7 You should
have waited in case Louis XIV. should
return, as of course he is sure to do"
LET us go back and show him to
me, then 1 can go and speak to him
Next to the king feel / can trust you
Quick let us return that may see
him again"


"What if, instead of leading you
back to the crowd, / were to conduct
you where you would see his majesty
face to face, would not it be . nicer
plan?'


'sCould you, would you, do this for
me, unknown as am to you ~


"To please you, my fair one, I would
dc. anything. Come, and In few min
utes Louis XIV. viii 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
q small lamp, saw at a glance they were
in apartments probably seldom occu-
pied. The Black Domino touched q
large picture, and it slid away SLOWLY
into the wall, and the Pink Domino was
ushered into one of those delightful re-
treats that the magnifcence of king
could alone devise a.


The picture had returned to its place,
and, after leading the unknown to {
sofa, the Black Domino slowly divested
himself of his disguise, and discovered
to the bewildered eyes of his visitor
the beautiful features of the kingi


As quick as lightning the Pink Dom.
ino was on her knees with outstretched
hands, as if to ask mercy for her teme-
rity, but, with a bewitching smile
Louis XIV. took her hands, and raisinf
her from her kneeling position, said:


''Now that your wish has been graft
fed, viii you not in your turn gratifl
mine :" And, without waiting for Al
answer, he threw off the domino, ant
unfastening the mask, beheld fac,
such as all his dreams and sverie.
could not have portrayed A food o
golden hair fell on shoulders who's
whiteness realized the snow The eve.
were dark, but with the sweetness o
those OF an antelope; the mouth ant
nose were faultlessA q word, all II
the vision that appeared before him wa
perfect = ~ a>t&


Who are your y asked the king
drawing her towards him, and lookinI
in her eyes with gaze that made
thrill of delight pass through he


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