Newspaper Page Text
THE GILT MASK.
Two young noblemen were seated
on the piazza of a palace in Seville.
“ What yon tell me, Eustace,’’
saiil tin* elder, “ is sufficiently roman
tic to have originated in the brain of
the Knight of la Mancha ”
“ Yes; you know how I have been
one o; the lavored suitors of Blanche
La Meda, the handsomest and wildest
woman in Seville. I thought my
heart was given up to her—but the
mysterious mask I encountered at
the Duke’s ball charmed me.’’
“ Faithful Eustace! ’’ cried his
companion, laughing. Doubtless you
adore both Blanche and her rival,
who refused to show her face. ’Tis
hard to choose, I fear.’’
“ It would so appear, for yesterday
I received a note warning me that I
had incurred the hatred of Lady
Blanche, and that I must be on guard
against assas-ins. Last night, as I
was returning home, on passing
under the piazza of the Marquis
D*Almonte, an assassin sprang from
behind a pillar, and would undoubt
edly have murdered me had not a
slight, boy-like figure interposed to
ward oft’ the blow. The cowardly
villian then fled, but when 1 turned
to thank my deliverer she had fled.”
“She?”"
“ Yes: for, though I got hut a mo
mentary glimpse of her, yet the shape
of the figure, and the long tresses
which had fal’en from beneath the
cap she wore, convinced me that I
Lid he-n saved by a woman.
Although the note I had received
was unsigned, yet it was written in a
delicate female hand. Can I doubt
. that my savior and the mask are
cue ?”
“ Wei', then, your course is plain.
Discover your inamorata, and if she
is worthy of you marry her. It is
plain that she loves you.’’
“It is impossible; the estates of
the De Leons and the Del Montes
join together. The Marquis Del
Monte has a daughter Maria, said to
be very beautiful, but I have not
seen her for years. In early life we
were betrothed, and our marriage is
inevitable.’’
Fernando remained buried in deep
thought for a few minutes. At
length he said:
“ Eustace, you must crush this
strange attachment for one whom
you have never reeu. Your honor is
pledged, and you must wed this
Maria Del Monte. To avoid tempta
tion you must quit Seville. A month’s
absence will eftace the memory of this
unknown, who is doubtless some
intriguing adventurer. I will ac
company you on a visit to your
father’s estate. Let us leave to
morrow.’’
“ Your counsel is hard, Fernando,’’
said Eustace, with emotion, “ J>ut I
teel it is for the best. I will even do
as you say.”
The next day to the great surprise
of the good people of Seville, the
gayest young gallants in town,
Eustace Dc Leon and Fernando
D’Arto's had disappeared.
A couple of days’ ride, and Eustace
v. as once more domiciled beneath the
roof of his forefathers, to the great
delight of the Count. The latter
also cordially welcomed the friend
of his son. The Marquis Del Monte
called over during the morning, and
was surprised and pleased to meet
Eustace.
After dinner Eustace accompanied
the Marquis to visit his betrothed.
The old gentleman, after conducting
him to the entrance of her boudoir,
merely said:
•‘Maria, your old playmate, Eus
tace De Leon,” and pushing him in,
retired, leaving the young folks to
their tete a tele.
Maria was engaged in embroidery
when she was so unceremoniously dis
turbed. She arose and bowed rather
coldly to Eustace, saying :
“ A fair evening, Senior.”
As Eustace gazed upon the lovely-
girl lie fell madly and deperatcly in
love, and all thoughts of Lady
Blanche and the strange mask quitted
liis mind, as with trembling limbs ho
sank on bis knees and declared liis
passion.
“ Are you sure?” replied she, mis
chievously, “that you love me as
much as you say?”
“ Can you doubt me? 4 be asked.
“ But Dady Blanche La Meda! Is
it possible that yon have already*
forgotten her ? That argues ill for
your constancy.”
. “ Pshaw, Maria, I know not where
you learned of my flirtation with
Blanche; but be assured that she is
not the kind of person I could love.”
“ Well, I believe you, Eustace;
but there is still another.”
“Nay, there you wrong me,” said
Eustace, decidedly.
“ Oh, faithless one!” she exclaimed,
with a mischievous langh; “ then
you have already forgotten your
inamorata and preserver, the mask ?”
Eustace blushed as he replied :
“ I see you have heard of my fool
ish attachment for one whose face I
have never seen. But Maria, although
I was fascinated by the air of the
mystery which surrounded her, I
have never yet felt toward any fe
male the same tender attachment I
have for you.’’
What need to further pry into the
secrets of the young couple ? Suffice
it that when they separated Eustace
had Maria’s promise that the happy
day should not be far distaut; but
as he rode home he was very deeply
puzzled to know how she had dis
covered his former peccadillos.
A few days after Maria took a
fancy to spending a few weeks in
Seville. As her will was virtually
law, it w: s not long ere the DeLeons
and Del Montes were ensconced in
their town residences.
A few days after their arrival there
was a brilliant masquerade to be
given. Maria expressed a wish to
attend, and Eustancc offered to ac
company her; but her reply was that
her father would accompany her;
and that she would defy him to rec
ognize her. He declared it to he
impossible, and in return determined
to disguise himself so as to prevent
detection.
Well, the eventful night came, and
Eustace was there early. Earnestly
he searched the room with his eyes,
but although there were pretty girls
in every disguise, he could nowhere
behold the graceful form of his be
loved. It was late; the guests had
all arrived, and Eustace feared that
something had deterred Maria from
attending. He was about to Ie.*ve
the saloon when a French Sheper
dess, a new arrival, brushed by him,
attracting his attention. Her mask
was a peculiar one, different from
the black and white usually worn. It
was a gilt one, beautifully chased,
and in the corner of the forehead
contained a small silver star. It was
the mask of the unknown, who had
once saved his life. His strange
atf clion for her suddenly returned,
and forgeltiug his anxiety about
Maria, be hastened to her side and
soon led her to the dance. She con
versed freely with him, though evi
dently in an assumed tone. Still he
thought at times that her voice was
strangely familiar.
After the dance the Mask excused
herself for a moment and retired to
an ante-room. Eustace waited for
some time patieutly for her to appear,
but at length a thought struck him,
and he hastily entered. The only
occupant was a Greek Fisher Girl,
whose features were hidden by a
white silk mask.
“ My good girl,” said he, “ can
you tell me which way a little French
Shepherdess took ?”
*' Sonor De Leon seems to take a
strange interest in that mysterious
mask of his,” was the somewhat bit
ter reply.
“Maria?” exclaimed Eustace, as
tonished, “you here?”
“ Aye; you might have found me
sooner had not your eyes been dazzled
by the gilt mask.”
“Iassure you, Maria, that I search
ed earnestly for you.”
“ It is of little consequence,” she
replied coldly. “ I must go now. I
shall be happy to hear your excuses
at some futuie period; at present
adois!” and she was gone ere lie
could reply.
Eustace sat down, feeling very*
SOUTHERN BANNER: JULY 30, 187S.
—
miserable. His conduct was a sort
of mystery to himself. While he felt
that he loved Maria as well as man
ever loved woman, yet once* in the
presence of the Mask and he had eyes
or ears for none else. He came to
the conclusion that he was the most
false and fickle of liis sex; and while
in this enviable state of "mind he
sought bis bat and cloak and left the
saloon.
As be was about leaving the room
a band was laid upon liis arm, and
turning, be beheld the gilt mask —
this time covering the features of the
same boy who had before saved bis
life. The m-sk thrust a note in bis
hand and then disappeared in the
crowd. The note ran as follows :
“ If the Senor is really anxious to
solve the mystery of one liepretends
to care for, he shall bo graffffetl. Let
him call to-morrow at the old Palais
de Roi, and he will then^tliscover
who is The Ma&k.’’
Eustace re-read the note, and as he
was driven home he determined he
would fathom the mystery which en
circled the Mask. Accordingly the
next morning found him atTthe ap
pointed locality. He was conducted
by a very ancient housekeeper to a
bourdoir, the fittings of which, al
though rich, were old and faded.
Here the housekeeper left him to an
nounce his coming, and for some time
he remained alone. At length he
-
heard a light footfall, and the page
who had once preserved him entered
Eustace seize*! the little hand of tie*
pretended boy and pressed it to his
lips.
“ At last I am to know thy. secret,
fair lady ?■’
“ Stop a moment, Senor. Belore
I reveal my conntenaucc wilt thou
give thy word that thou lovest but
me ?”
The tones of the lady were evi
dently assumed.
A mingled look of shame aud pain
overclouded the countenance of the
young man as he replied :
“ Senorita, I feel that vou will de
spise me, but ^ tlafc
pledge you require. Wliile Jn Vour
presence I feel as though madly in
love with you. Yet I experience the
same feelings toward my betrothed,
Maria Del Monte. Truly I feel that
I am the most faithless of men, and
am unworthy of the love of cithei of
you.”
“ You have at least one virtue, Se
nor—yon are candid.”
“Well, jour answer; I am still
doomed to ignorance ?”
“ You shall learn in a few mo
ments ; for the present, excuse me.”
She left the room, and for a few
moments Eustace remained brooding
moodily. lie heard not the light
step that approached until ho was
startled by a voice which thrilled
through every vein.
“ Well, Senor De Leon do you rec
ognize me now ?”
“ Maria!’’ he exclaimed, starting
to his feet.
“Nay, the gilt mask!” was the,
reply, in the old assumed tones.
Eustace gazed a moment doubt
fully, then replied :
“Isee the whole scheme, Maria.
You cannot deceive me longer. I
can now understand my strange at
tachment for the mask.”
The next moment the blushing
girl was clasped in his arms
A little explanation soon cleared
the mystery. Maria had spent the
winter with her aunt, who lived near
Seville. She frequently spent days
in the town with her friend, Blanche
La Meda, who was ieal!y a good-
hearted girl. It was she who had
persuaded Maria to adopt the mask.
The warning note and rescue was
merely a little plot of the girl’s to
win the young man’s gratitude. His
sudden departure frustrated their
plans and compelled Maria’s hasty re
turn home. Maria’s father was cog
nizant to the plot, and Eustace vowed
it was not strange that he should
have fallen a victim to the Mask.
Novel Aeronaupics.
A LADY AERONAUT TO EXPLODE HER
BALLOON AT A HEIGHT OK 4,000
FEET.
(Philadelphia Times.]
Perhaps the most remarkable of
the special attractions to be offered
hereabouts on the fourth of July will
be a “new departure ’’ in aeronautic
feats, exhibited at llammonton park,
New Jersey, on the Camden and
Atlantic railroad. Miss Clarissa
Wimbley, of this city, who was a
pupil of the unfortunate Donaldson
and is a m*ice of Prof. Wise, proposes
to make two ascensions from the
park, and in the second of which,
when at a height of four thousand
feet, cause the balloon to explode and
form itself into a parachute that will
enable her to deccnd in safety.
This exploit, so seldom attempted,
while seemingly rash, will be done to
demonstrate the feasibility of con
structing balloons that would insure
comparative safety for their passen
gers in the event of the air-ships
being caused to explode by a rarified
atmosphere, a collision or any other
mishap. The balloon to be used by
Miss Wimbly is, when inflated, 65
feet high and 45 feet wide, contain
ing 2,000 cubic feet of gas, and capa
ble of carrying two men. Fastened
by a rope to a train, and elevated
100 feet abo v e tin* track, tl>e balloon,
carrying Miss Wimbley, will be
drawn from Camden, the place of its
inflaiion, to llammonton, a di.-tauce
of thirty miles. The young lady has
made many ascensions, and recently
at Elmira, New York, a crowd of
twenty thousand persons gazed at
her perilous performances in mid
air.
A Chinese Burial Among
Mormons.
The Constitution says: Mr. R. C.
Jlumber, of Putnam county, invest
ed ten dollars in sheep in 1876, and
has since realized a profit of eight
hundred dollars, and has a flock of
one hundred and seventy-five sheep.
One of the Celestials who inhabit
Rag Alley died on Saturday night,
ar.d was Imricd by his brother China
men on Sunday afternoon with im-
posihg solemnity. The brethren in
the town, including a few Latter-day
fellows, attended the burial, which
was made in the Mormon graveyard
a short distance from the front gate.
When the corpse had reached the
grave, the personal effects of the de
ceased heathen, consisting of cloth
ing, blankets and various trinckets,
were placed in one pile near the
grave, aud the torch applied to them.
The body was then lowered into the
ground, tapers were lighted, colored
papers were burned on the coffin,
while one of the Celestials went
through with a chant as the grave
was being filled up. When the
burial was completed a small quantity
of fi esh pork, a chicken and various
othei articles of food in an uncooked
condition were placed by the side of
the grave on a piece of newspaper,
and the Chinamen then began to dis
perse. The Celestial who seemed to
have charge of the ceremonies, ad
dressing himself to the grave digger,
said: “ Lcde man, loo watchee
glare, I he Itackec to-mollow,” and
yesterday he returned, placed anoth
er small quantity of fresh pork and
other food by the grave, and gather
ing up the ashes of the burnt cloth
ing, departed.—Salt Lake Tribune.
TO THE!
Citizens of Athens
<£Lxa.d Vicinity.
The undersigned haa this day purchased from
his brother, Maj. THOMAS A. BURKE, his
entire interest in the BOOK AND STATION
ERY BUSINESS AT ATHENS, and intends to
ran *
First Class Book Store,
InJ which the Best Goods, latest and most popu
lar Books, and indcod everytbing usually kept
in a Good, Well Appointed Book Store, may be
found. Being connected with the well known
and extensive wholesale house of
J. W. BURKE &CO-, MACON, GA.
His facilities for keeping up stock and keeping
everything at Bottom j'rices, will give him a
decided advantage in buying Books &c., at
Lowest Rates, and lie intends to give his custo
mers the full benefit of it, by
SELLING AS CHEAP AS THE CHEAPEST.
He asks his old friends in and around Athens,
to givo him a share of the patronage. To all
he extends a hearty invitation to come and buy.
Maj. T. A. Burke will still lie connected witli
the bonse, and will have charge of the business,
and he asks his friends and the public to con
tinue the patronage heretofore bestowed on him,
JOHN W. BURKE.
June ll.tt.
PRESCRIPTION FREE?
For the speedy Cure or Seminal W eakness, U)St
Manhooaanaall disorders brought on £>y India-
«#A*<»iau &nv Dnicnrlit hn* thp Inure-
oration or excess. Any Drag*‘ s ‘‘“H®*
dlenls. Address. Dr. VV. JAQlA CO..
130 West Sixth Street. Cluclnnntl, O
wmwmm
P3
t*
O
Ph
4 4
til
fi Mitt
PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY MORNING AT
Terms, $>2.Q0 a Year, Invariably in Advance.
The “Southern Banner,” established in the year 1816,
is, consequently, sixty-two years old. Beginning when sci
ence in this country was, comparatively speaking, in its in
fancy—when the “art” of printing was carried on by a slow
and tedious process—-when “buck skin balls” were used to
spread the ink over the rough and unsightly types upon which
the paper was printed, with Home News one and Foreign
News two months old, the different Proprietors have battled
with the changes of time—kept pace with the advancement
of sciencb, and the rude types and rough presses have been
laid aside and their places are now occupied by/all the beau
tiful appliances known to the art.
The Banner is not only the oldest but the /largest paper
in North-east Georgia, and its columns are weekly tilled with
readino* matter suited to all classes aiulconditions, embracing
° , vr
NEWS, ^POLITICS, N
ART, SCIENCE,
LITERATURE, POETRY,
AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE,
DOMESTIC AND OTHER RECEIPTS,
STORIES, WIT, HUMOR, &C., AC
NOW IS THE TIME TO SUBSCRIBE.
In view of the vital questions which are agitating this and
foreign countries, and the elections that are to take place this
fall in Georgia and throughout the United States, a synopsis
and discussion of which will be contained in our columns,
we are sure that our paper will not only be acceptable but a
necessity to every family. Iherefore, send in \ oui names
and money and keep posted with the piogiess of the times.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Recognizing the fact that nothing adds more to the popu
larity of a paper than an interchange of views between
those among whom it circulates, we invite correspondence
upon all topics of interest to the public, and especially the
current news and agricultural progress of the sectioh of coun
try in the territory of North-east Georgia.
TO advertisers.
With a bona fide circulation of 2,000 copies weekly which
guarantees not less than 8,000 readers, throughout. Georgia
and the South, and especially in North-east Georgia, one of
the richest sections in the South, we are confident that ad
vertisers could find no better medium through which to make
their wants known than the columns of the Scjthern
Banner. Address, H. H. CARLIOIS,
Editor & Prop’r-