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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. 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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-